Flowers and plants

Tub plants 

This page contains following subjects:

• Introduction
• Use
• Care
• Some species

Introduction

Information is based on a moderate climate such as in Holland.
Tub plants are plants who cannot have temperature below 0 degree Celsius (not winter hard). If we want to keep them we put them in a container (tub). Because of the tub plants in Holland we have developed in 18e century the special orangery. This is a place, light and cool, but not below 0 degree Celsius. We can put the tub plants in winter inside. The name orangery plants comes from it. The name orangery have also connection with the orange trees who were very popular in the past. A very nice orangery can be seen in the  famous botanical garden in Leiden in Holland. There are those days many different species in tub plants available. You also can grow them by your self. Take some seed or cuttings from your holiday. Many tub plants are shrubs of trees and have wooden stems.

Tub plants are good guests on the terrace. But also digged in in the garden the give a attractive supplementation in summer time. Tub plants also are ideal for the balcony.

Tub plants need an intensive care. In autumn before the temperature comes below zero the plants must go inside. There are growers who can take care for your plants during winter time. Many houses do not have a ideal place to store the plants in winter time. In spring time early May the plants can go out again. Give them time to use to on the light, start in the shadow. Eventually you repot them the end of April, add some clay to the soil because it keeps a lot of water. Also prune if necessary. Do not forget also to prune the roots. Check it the holes in the container of pot are open, put some stone fragments over the holes. Many tub plants prefer to have a sunny place, they will flower even better. You must water the plants twice a day. Also you must give nutrition every week. At the end of August you give less nutrition and stop in September. During the growing season you take away the old flowers and prune the long branches. Another tip, fix the tallest plants with some metal pins, it prevent the plants when there is a lot of wind.

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Last update of this page 23.05.2004