Sunlight

[Johnny PhantomMember]

Hello Charles,

When you start plants off in the glasshouse/greenhouse, do you ever do anything to diffuse or limit the sunlight the plants receive?
Also, as the conditions in a glasshouse/greenhouse are usually closer to outside conditions, do you ever have to resort to anything like ‘hardening off’ the plants started this way?

Thanks in advance…

JP

[charlesModerator]

 I wonder how it became common practice to whitewash greenhouses in our climate where light is so precious. I always encourage and make the most of it. All seeds are started and grow in full light and warmth except for lettuce which, in hot sunny weather only, I germinate under the greenhouse bench.

Hardening off is standard and sensible practice, I find a day or two is enough and I do not bring plants in at night. It is often made to sound immensely complicated! Well raised plants in good organic compost are strong and sturdy. 

[Johnny PhantomMember]

Hello Charles,

Thanks for the reply.
I also noticed your brassicas in your April diary… they all look great! Do you keep them on a heated bench from germination (as well as under full sun) until they’re ready to go outside?

Thanks again…

JP

[charlesModerator]

 Actually they spent about three weeks on the heated bench, then two weeks on an unheated bench, still in the greenhouse, and had been outside for a couple of days before that photo was taken. Brassicas are keen growers in relatively cool weather but some early warmth helps to set them on their way.

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