Many indoor plants benefit from being placed outside on the patio for
the summer. Moving many plants out of the conservatory will save them
from baking under glass, and lessen some pest and disease problems, such
as red spider mite.Ventilate and shade sunrooms and conservatories to
prevent scorch damage to remaining plants.
Water houseplants freely when in growth, and feed as necessary (often
weekly or fortnightly). Water plants in early morning or late evening to
avoid the risk of leaf scorch on hot days.
Damp down greenhouses on hot days.
Cuttings can be taken and grown on in the glasshouse. Fuschias and
pelargoniums are good candidates.
Carry on pricking out any seedlings sown earlier in the season, when
they are large enough to handle. Other young plants, already pricked
out, may be ready for transplanting to larger pots.
Pest & disease watch
Tidy up fallen leaves, flowers and compost - this will prevent
potential pest and disease problems.
Many conservatory and greenhouse pests will be active during the
summer months. Check plants regularly for signs of glasshouse whitefly,
leafhopper, glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects.
Yellow card sticky traps are a valuable, low-cost tool for monitoring
numbers and types of flying pests in the greenhouse. If large numbers of
a particular pest are found, treatment can be instigated.
Ensuring that greenhouse plants are kept in appropriate cultural
conditions will help them resist attacks by pests and diseases.
