David Domoney shares his tips on how to care for conservatory plants in hot weather

(09^th August 2013)

Conservatory plants need extra special care during this summer’s warm weather, says TV gardener David Domoney, as recent temperatures across Britain soar to over 30 degrees.

According to David, "While the hot spell has been a real blessing after the wash-outs of the past few years and we’re all making the most of the glorious sunshine, remember to spare a thought for your conservatory plants as they may need a little extra attention due to the high temperatures."

Currently appearing in the ITV1 hit series Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh, David is a big fan of conservatory plants, which he says add a touch of class to any conservatory or orangery.

As Britain’s biggest home improvement company and a leading installer of conservatories and orangeries, Anglian Home Improvements asked David to pull together some top tips to help you keep your conservatory plants in great shape during the hot weather.

Conservatory plants need humidity to help them thrive during the growing season, so simply use tepid water to mist plants in the morning.

Group plants together to increase moisture around them, as moisture is evaporated from compost and transpired from the leaves, creating a perfect environment for healthy plants.

House plants in South or West facing conservatories will require some form of shading, such as blinds or UV filters, which Anglian conservatories have. Choosing the right plant for your conservatory is key. If you are in a South or West facing conservatory use plants that like bright conditions and for East or North facing conservatories choose shade-loving plants.

Too much heat can put plants under great stress, which requires increased watering and maintenance. Keep your conservatory well-ventilated during a hot summer’s day to stop plants wilting and drying out.

Check regularly for bugs and watch for sticky deposits or black mould, as these are your first signs of pests! Quarantine the infected plant for two to three weeks and try to get into the habit of turning over leaves regularly when checking plants.

Feeding should take place during the growing season when water frequency is higher (although there are exceptions to this rule when you have plants showing pale, yellow leaves, slow, weak growth or experience lower leaves dropping off). The three main constituents of plant food are Nitrogen for leaf growth, Phosphates for root growth and Potash for fruit and flowers, and most plants will require a feed once every two to four weeks. Garden centres have a good selection of slow-release fertilizer, pellets and sticks, or use a liquid feed which is an instant pick-me-up for tired houseplants!

Prune your conservatory plants – don’t be afraid to prune plants if they get leggy or too big. The general rule is to prune after flowering or late winter/early spring, just as growth is starting.



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