The glasshouse

The glasshouse was constructed in the summer of 1997.  It is 50' by 18' and is attached to the east side of the barn.  The floors are cement 

There are a number of windows, these are almost never used--it is air-conditioned in the summer.  By keeping our growing environment "closed", and growing only our own plant material, pest problems are kept to a minimum and are easily controlled once spotted.

Seen above is the view from the entrance to the glasshouse (from the shop), looking north.  The glasshouse is where we grow most of our standard-size African violets.  We also grow most of our miniature houseplants and begonias, most of the hanging baskets there, and all of our orchids, there. 

Above are two views of the glasshouse both facing south.  At left is a view from the (barn) side and, at right, a view from the outside aisle. 

In the center of the glasshouse is an "island", one large bench approximately 35' long and 7' wide, circled by an aisle.  The bench consists of two levels.  On top are standard violets, grown under sunlight, underneath are more violets grown under florescent light.  All of the violets are grown atop blankets and are watered from the bottom using these "capillary mats". 

Standard violets are also grown on the tops of all the benches circling the outside of the glasshouse.  Beneath these outside benches are two shelves where most of our cuttings for propagation, houseplants, and begonias, are grown under lights.  In total, the glasshouse provides an additional (approximately) 2,000 feet of growing space containing approximately 4,000 potted plants, plus thousands more in cuttings.

Beneath the center island are most of the standard violets that we set-aside for shows and for our mail-order customers.  During the day these lights are turned-off (they are on at night), so that shop visitors aren't tempted by them. The black 'line' you see is actually an elastic 'bungee' cord tied around the perimeter of the shelf to protect the plants.

Visitors to the shop are instructed to select plants from the tops of the benches.

Since many of the plants on the bench tops are often not in bloom (many of the blooming plants are sold at shows or through the mail), blooming "display" plants of most varieties are placed in the center of the island bench-top. 

Customers can then look for plants of that same variety, arranged alphabetically around the benches.  These display plants sit in long, rectangular, saucers, lined with acrylic blanket, and are "mat watered" as are others.
 

Yes, we DO grow violets in windows!  Shown at left are many of Olive's show plants, grown on the windowsill of the glasshouse.  Most have been growing there throughout the winter, and many will be exhibited in shows in the spring.  During the summer and fall, standard violets in 4" pots, used for display plants are grown on these windowsills.  This is why we say that all of the varieties we grow and sell will do well under either natural or artificial lights. 

We also grow a lot of hoya.  Most of our "stock" plants (those we use for cuttings and are not for sale) are grown hanging from rods in the east side of the glasshouse, the remainder being grown in all of our many windows.  Most will bloom throughout the year here, giving the glasshouse a wonderful "perfumed" scent. 

At right are seen some of our own orchid collection (not for sale).  These are grown in the south of the glasshouse (protected by extra shading).  Those shown here are some of the phals and paphs grown atop a bench along the barn wall in the south end.  Other orchids are grown atop a bench adjoining this one (not shown).  We grow orchids for sale (hundreds of them) on many 'bookshelves' attached to the siding of the barn on west side of the glasshouse.