I need help on choosing a large plant for a conservatory please. We have a
North facing glass roof conservatory which in the height of summer does get
a fair degree of direct sunlight but mainly in the earlier morning and later
afternoon as the sun comes around. At midday it is mostly in shade with
only the northern edge getting the sun.

We would like a fairly large floor standing specimen plant to go in the
North East corner (yucca / fig / palm etc.) but from looking at the local
garden centres, most of these say 'bright' light but no direct sunlight.
This corner does get direct sunlight but only for part of the day, as above.

Any ideas?
Are they just being overly cautious and in reality most plants would thrive
in this position?

regards

Peter

In article , Pete junk wrote:
I need help on choosing a large plant for a conservatory please. We have a
North facing glass roof conservatory which in the height of summer does get
a fair degree of direct sunlight but mainly in the earlier morning and later
afternoon as the sun comes around. At midday it is mostly in shade with
only the northern edge getting the sun.

We would like a fairly large floor standing specimen plant to go in the
North East corner (yucca / fig / palm etc.) but from looking at the local
garden centres, most of these say 'bright' light but no direct sunlight.
This corner does get direct sunlight but only for part of the day, as above.

Are they just being overly cautious and in reality most plants would thrive
in this position?

Yes. It is rare that the UK has sunlight strong enough to worry
even sensitive plants, and it is unknown in my experience for the
early morning or late evening sun to do that. Avoid the most delicate
ferns etc. and you should have no trouble.

In fact, your problems are far more likely to be due to the very low
light levels in winter. You need to choose a plant with low light
requirements.

Of the ones you mention, few species are worried by even full sun in
a south facing conservatory in the UK. They may not like the peak
temperatures of a poorly ventilated one, but that is different.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Look for understorey plants from the tropics. Larger plants will be harder
to find usually. Bananas, Guzmania, Maranta leuconeura, Phalaenopsis,
Platycerium, Spathiphyllum are all fairly tolerant of shady hot and humid
conditions.
Neil



"Pete" junk wrote in message
...
I need help on choosing a large plant for a conservatory please. We have
a
North facing glass roof conservatory which in the height of summer does
get
a fair degree of direct sunlight but mainly in the earlier morning and
later
afternoon as the sun comes around. At midday it is mostly in shade with
only the northern edge getting the sun.

We would like a fairly large floor standing specimen plant to go in the
North East corner (yucca / fig / palm etc.) but from looking at the local
garden centres, most of these say 'bright' light but no direct sunlight.
This corner does get direct sunlight but only for part of the day, as
above.

Any ideas?
Are they just being overly cautious and in reality most plants would
thrive
in this position?

regards

Peter

Thanks for the suggestions.

I think we just need to go for it and then monitor carefully for any signs
of distress. Also need to mist regularly I guess, which I have never
bothered with to-date.

Although I think we'll avoid the weeping fig this time - fed up with
sweeping up leaves on the small one we have in the living room

The one about high temperature build-up when we go out is the one we will
need to watch as well

regards

Pete