\u201cCapture the Mediterranean in your garden with a greenhouse\u201d, Rodney Tibbs opened by saying. Then added \u201cwhether you have one or not, there\u2019s something in tonight\u2019s talk for you\u201d. Then he gave an illustrated presentation: greenhouses \u2013 a history, their usage and invaluable tips. Having a greenhouse facilitates a longer growing season, protects tender plants and kick starts propagation. Being under glass means optimising growing conditions which can save money. Our predecessors realised this too. Long ago, the Roman emperor Tiberius grew cucumbers under glass. The first officially recorded greenhouse was created in Leiden in 1599. For Prince Albert\u2019s Great Exhibition of 1831, Joseph Paxton developed a system of prefabricated glazing panels. The resulting Crystal Palace became the model for our modern greenhouse. The Victorians loved the trend, manufacturing techniques, reduced prices and greenhouse ownership grew rapidly.
Rodney explained the variety of sizes and styles in commercial and hobby greenhouses. Then focusing on domestic gardening, he described the optimum location, orientation and base construction for a small standalone greenhouse. He owns an aluminium framed one, which is cheaper and more durable than wood. He said whether for growing vegetables or flowers, he thought a suitable size was about 2.5m by 3m (8ft x 10ft). He explained open and closed shelving and how capillary matting was revolutionising irrigation. He described ways of controlling heating, ventilation and shade. He considered that irrespective of the power source, low-cost heating could be achieved. He warned against the use of shade washes, instead promoting screening materials such as meshes, blinds and plastic sheets. He described the ranges of temperature needed for growing exotic plants and for effective temperature measurement he advised buying both ambient and soil thermometers.
Rodney\u2019s tips included using quality compost (John Innes No 1 and Jack\u2019s Magic), larger 12-pocket seed trays and a labelling machine (buy one from an office equipment shop \u2013 it\u2019s cheaper than one from a garden centre). Finally, when pricking out seedlings hold them by a leaf not the stem. Rodney discussed other greenhouses such as orangeries, conservatories, cold frames, lean-tos, poly tunnels and propagators. He finished by listing his favourite world-famous glasshouses: San Francisco\u2019s Park, Brussel\u2019s Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, Adelaide\u2019s Botanic Garden, Singapore\u2019s spectacular Gardens by the Bay and Cornwall\u2019s Eden Project.
We thanked Rodney, for a very informative talk which, with its reference to hothouse plants, created a warming prelude to our splendid Christmas Buffet which followed.
Rosemary Jones
We especially welcomed Rodney as he had been giving talks to our Club for more than ten years and had now decided to retire. We wished him a long, happy and healthy retirement – he will be greatly missed by the Gardening Club fraternity!
Mary Duff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cCapture the Mediterranean in your garden with a greenhouse\u201d, Rodney Tibbs opened by saying. Then added \u201cwhether you have one or not, there\u2019s something in tonight\u2019s talk for you\u201d. Then he gave an illustrated presentation: greenhouses \u2013 a history, their … Continue reading