Desert Greenhouse Guide
October 2009 Bloom Day

Joining in on the tradition started by May Dreams Gardens Blog, the 15th of every month is Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

Ice PlantThe greenhouse had a few non-descript blooms this month, but the most impressive is this ice plant that I put in a container at my in-laws' house. I am not sure what variety of ice plant it is, but it is hardy here in Zone 8.  (I've seen several that are only hardy in Zone 10!)

In the greenhouse, these are the plants that bloomed this month:

  • Basil, the varieties Lime, Dark Opal and Cinnamon.
    The basil has not done very well in the greenhouse this year, the growth is a bit stunted and the leaves are very small.  I plan to pot them up this weekend to see if that helps.  I had Sweet Basil that did very well, but lost it in the last insect attack from a few months ago.
  • Tomatoes, the varieties Big Boy, Yellow Pear, Jelly Bean and Golden Rave.
    With greenhouse temperatures in the 80's during the day, the tomatoes have been flowering like crazy!  I'm perfectly okay with that because that means vine ripe tomatoes in a few weeks.  The yellow varieties have performed in the greenhouse extremely well this year, I assume that since they do not take as long to ripen that they are not overly affected by the heat.
  • Scarlet Sage. 
    Again.  These plants are still too small to be blooming yet, but they sure want to flower!  I keep trimming the bloom shoots so I will have really sturdy healthy plants to go in the ground in the spring.

Overall, I am impressed with the growth of the greenhouse plants.  Autumn is always an interesting time in the greenhouse because with the reprieve of summer's heat, the plants grow like crazy and it begins to look like a jungle in there -- which is perfectly fine with me!

Comments (6)
  • Jean
    I'll bet the inside of your greenhouse is quite a treat. Something about being in a greenhouse - I find it relaxing. Wish I had one though. I like your ice plants!
  • Hilery
    I can't get enough of the greenhouse. If you can't find me, I'm in there! And thanks! I was pleasantly surprised about the ice plant, it is quit a tough little plant and blooms like crazy.
  • Nell Jean  - Secrets of a Seed Scatterer
    The best salvia for the winter greenhouse that I've seen is Pineapple Sage. It blooms on short days, so it bloomed all winter for me last year. I had cinnamon basil one year -- it smelled heavenly, but I couldn't think of a good use for it.
  • Hilery
    I'll definitely have to try Pineapple Sage, sounds fantastic! I agree with the smell of Cinnamon Basil, but I also have never thought of a good use for it.
  • Tyra  - Tyra's Garden
    Hi there, I really enjoyed this. Love to read about your greenhouse. Tyra in a greenhouse in cold climate
  • Sweet Bay
    I have been wanting to try the Cinammon and Lime Basils. Basil has such a wonderful fragrance!
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