Greenhouse and Window Plants - A Primer for Amateurs

By Charles Collins

First published in 1895, this vintage book offers the reader a beginner-friendly guide to growing plants in greenhouses and under glass. Written in simple, plain language and profusely-illustrated, this step-by-step guide is ideal for novice gardeners with an interest in greenhouses, and it would make for a useful addition to collections of allied literature. Contents include: "The Construction of Greenhouses", "Heating and General Management", "Appliances and Materials", Methods of Propagating Plants", "Potting, Watering, Training, and Feeding Plants", "Spring and Summer Flowering Plants", "Autumn and Winter Flowering Plants", "Bulbous and Tuberous-rooted Plants", etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in a modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on the history of gardening.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Home Farm Books
• Release date: Sep 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781473343412

Charles Collins

Charles Collins has arrived. Those fortunate enough to own a piece of Collins Art in their collection know. His work is featured in some very prestigious museums, and homes. The museum of New Mexico, Millicent Rodgers Museum, Harwood Museum and the Guthrie Center are public facilities that showcase some of his work. With thousands of private collectors who support the timeless, and unmistakable works of Charles Collins. Many international collectors such as Neil Young, David Bromburg, Joan Baez, KD Lang, Dwight Yocum, Pierce Brosnan, Paul Horn, Michael Martin Murphy, Jeffery Jones, Arlo Guthrie, and many other share in Collins vision. Legendary folk singer Arlo Guthrie commissioned Collins to do the cover art for "Son of the Wind" He was also the inaugural artist for the Guthrie Center. Michael Martin Murphy commissioned art from Collins for his album "River Of Time". He is honored by fellow artist who support is work and his vision for God In The Arts Foundation. Collins is truly one of the most important artist to call New Mexico home. With a Day named in his honor in the State of New Mexico it is obvious New Mexico is as proud of him as he is of it. The many awards Collins has received for his work have made him the "Most Awarded Artist in the History of the Taos Art Festival”. We all look forward to what Charles Collins will have to share with us next.

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PLANTS

GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW PLANTS

INTRODUCTION

WHETHER gardening be followed as a recreative or profitable occupation, a considerable amount of benefit is derivable from this healthy and fascinating pursuit. Thousands of persons unite in bearing testimony to its beneficial influence over the mind and body of all who partake of its pleasures. Those who have the misfortune to be in delicate health assert that watching the growth of plants and unfolding flowers imparts hope and cheerfulness; the stronger aver that a little attention paid to their floral gems lightens the burdens and softens the cares of everyday life. This, then, is partly the cause of the unprecedented increase in the number of greenhouses in all parts of the country, and their presence in so many gardens.

But there is another reason. The commendable work now being carried on under the auspices of the Technical Education Committees of the various County Councils has done much to promote a thirst for rural pursuits, including gardening. A knowledge of the science and practice of horticulture is being widely disseminated throughout the kingdom by able and active instructors, and this is serving as a stimulus to the germ that already existed. Many persons avail themselves of the opportunities thus afforded of becoming intimately acquainted with an art that doth mend nature, thereby adding comfort to their homes, and it may be an increase to their incomes.

Recognising this fact, and also that the cultivation of greenhouse and window plants forms an important phase of amateur gardening, it is with the object of imparting further information of a sound character on the subject that this little work has been prepared. The author, having had considerable experience in the matter, has borne in mind the requirements of bona fide amateurs. There are several types of glass structures that come within the definition of a greenhouse as generally expressed by the inexperienced; but they differ widely in some respects. For example, a stove, as known to professional gardeners, is a structure heated to a high degree, and used chiefly for the cultivation of plants from tropical regions. A hothouse is a term applicable to a stove or heated greenhouse; and a forcing-house is usually employed for forwarding the growth of certain plants that are amenable to such treatment. A conservatory, though differing materially from a structural point of view, comes within the category of a greenhouse, inasmuch as the same temperature is suitable for each building. Under these circumstances it is assumed that an amateur who possesses a conservatory has a greenhouse, and what plants are recommended for one structure will flourish in the other, provided the position and heating appliances are favourable.

A greenhouse, moreover, is a useful adjunct to any garden. Apart from its usual advantages it can be utilised for the propagation of plants that are used for the adornment of the flower garden. Amateurs employ glass structures of this kind extensively for such a purpose, and not infrequently for the cultivation of Vines and Tomatoes. Here, however, we are mainly concerned with the culture of plants and flowers, and the requisites for the completion of this are detailed, as much as space will permit, in the pages that follow. Some points have, of necessity, been curtailed, as for instance the construction and heating of greenhouses; but beginners will doubtless find sufficient information and suggestions which will enable them to attain to success.

Lists of plants suitable for spring, summer, autumn, and winter flowering are given in alphabetical order with brief cultural hints; and, although the selections might have been extended, those enumerated are admirably adapted for the purposes named. To add variety to greenhouses and window gardens lists of ornamental foliage plants, Ferns, and climbing and trailing plants are also included. Amateurs who aspire to the cultivation of Orchids will find a list of the most reliable kinds for growing in a greenhouse or room, although generally speaking it is advisable to devote a structure specially to these plants.

Nor have those who possess unheated greenhouses been forgotten. It is, perhaps, not possible to make these as attractive at all periods of the year as those that are heated; but they can at least be made effective at most seasons. Some hints as to how this may be accomplished are given, and will probably interest owners of such structures. Where practicable it is desirable to have a cold frame, covered with glass, as an addition to the greenhouse, as by this means many plants can be afforded special treatment, which is occasionally essential to insure success in their cultivation.

Those whose facilities for gardening are confined primarily to windows and rooms, or are desirous of embellishing their homes with plants and flowers, will observe that prominence has been given to this phase of horticulture. In addition to lists of plants adapted for the decoration of apartments, hints as to their propagation under such circumstances will be of particular interest to window gardeners.

Botanical terms and lengthy descriptions of the respective plants are omitted, as these usually confuse beginners rather than render assistance. The illustrations, too, for the most part prepared from sketches made by the author, are of a simple character, the object in view being to teach the inexperienced the rudiments of plant culture, and so enable them to impart brightness to their homes.

CHAPTER I

HINTS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF GREENHOUSES

SUCCESS in the cultivation of plants under glass depends much on the construction, position, and heating of the building in which they are growing. These are apparently minor details; but beginners will do well to look on them as being of paramount importance. There are, in the first place, many kinds of greenhouses—some costly, others decidedly cheap. Those persons who have the means will naturally choose the better class structure, and utilise it accordingly. Others perforce content themselves with a smaller and less expensive building, but derive corresponding advantages from it. It matters little, however, whether the erection be of a humble or elaborate character, it should be placed in a good position, this being determined according to circumstances. Brief descriptions of the various forms of greenhouses may interest readers.

SPAN-ROOF HOUSE.—This is a popular structure with amateurs and has much to recommend it. When erected in a proper position the light is equally distributed to the plants inside the building, and provided other essentials are favourable, they usually flourish. A house of this kind can be made by any one who has a knowledge of carpentry; but considering the cheapness of ready-made greenhouses it is unquestionably the better plan to procure one of the latter from a reliable dealer. These structures are manufactured especially for amateurs by many firms, and vary in price as well as size and form.

If utilised for growing a general collection of plants a span-roof greenhouse should, if possible, have a site where the gables of the building face respectively north and south. This is a point that must not be overlooked. In this position the plants on one side of the house will obtain the benefit of the morning sun, and those on the other that which is forthcoming in the afternoon.

The stages in a small greenhouse are most convenient if placed on each side of the building with a path in the centre (see Fig. 1). They can be made any width that is desirable; but ought to consist of open laths and be about 3 feet in height. If preferred the staging might also be carried round the end opposite the door, which should face south. As a rule, and particularly if hot-water pipes are placed beneath them, it is advisable to cover the stages with slates, on which put a thin layer of some moisture-holding material. The plants may then be stood on this without fear of their roots being injured by the dry atmosphere that ascends from the pipes. Cocoa-nut fibre refuse, shingle, finely-sifted coal ashes, and Derbyshire spar are employed for this purpose, the latter, being white, having the best appearance. During the summer the advantages derivable from the use of such materials are manifest, but they can be discarded in the winter when less moisture is needed.

FIG. 1.—SECTION OF SMALL SPAN-ROOF GREENHOUSE.

A, Hot-water pipes under stages; B, ventilators for use in warm or calm weather; C, ventilators for use in the winter.

In a large span-roof structure side stages can be erected as recommended, and in addition, a central step-stage, if there is sufficient room.

The number of ventilators provided must depend on the size of the building. Fresh air is as important to plants as it is to human life, and when this rule is disregarded failures invariably occur. In a greenhouse 12 feet by 8 feet at least one or two ventilators should be placed on each side of the roof, and a corresponding number in a lower part of the building. The most successful cultivators usually insist on having ventilators below the side stages, but opposite the hot-water pipes, as shown in the illustration Fig. 1, and by this means the air is warmed before it reaches the plants. Moreover, ventilation can be given on windy or cold days without the possibility of draughts, which have an injurious effect on tender foliage.

THREE-QUARTER SPAN.—This form of greenhouse is not in general use, nor can any special advantages be claimed for it except under certain circumstances. For example, when any one is desirous of erecting a building against a wall facing south, east, or west, and which is too low to be utilised as a support for a lean-to structure, then a three-quarter span or hip roof greenhouse will be useful. The diagram (Fig. 2) will give the uninitiated an idea as to the method of making a house of this kind. Ventilators should be provided in the front, and the stages made as shown.

FIG. 2.—SECTION OF THREE-QUARTER SPAN-ROOF GREENHOUSE.

A, Hot-water pipes under stages; B, ventilators for use in warm or calm weather; C, ventilators for use in the winter.

LEAN-TO STRUCTURES.—Until recent years the lean-to was the most popular kind of greenhouse, but since the advent of so many span-roof buildings the former has been gradually discarded. Much, however, may be said in favour of the lean-to greenhouse. Where a suitable wall exists, an erection of this sort is decidedly less costly in the first place than any other, and probably not so expensive ultimately, a smaller amount of fuel being necessary to maintain a given temperature. At the same time the plants inside the house are liable to become drawn and unsightly if they are not occasionally turned towards the light.

A lean-to greenhouse should have a south, east, or west aspect, preferably the former, unless required for the cultivation of ferns and similar shade-loving plants. The building may be any size as regards length and breadth, provided it is sufficiently heated; but not too lofty. This rule, in fact, holds good with all kinds of greenhouses, the best plants being usually grown in structures where they can be kept within reasonable distance from the roof. Amateurs are frequently advised to place plants "near the