Re:coleus/garden room

Claire, coleus becomes woody with age.  I'm sure you have noticed this 
happening just thru a growing season.
    My garden room is glass the 22' length and a southern exposure and on the 
west.  I used a hi absorbent glass as suggested by ISU.  There are 2 sky 
lites which open on the east & west slope of the roof and ceiling fan for air 
circulation.  The problem is the fluctuation in the temps and no humidity 
contol.  During any sunny winter day the temp will reach 80 but at night we 
keep our home temps at 58-60 and this room is on the same heating system.  
The ceramic floor serves as a passive solar conductor and this heats our home 
during the day. This is a benefit we did not plan.  I have vertical blinds at 
all the windows so I may somewhat control the amount of light. One end of the 
room is for sun tolerate & the other for more shade loving and this end may 
have the blinds closed.  Even with blinds closed light is available thru the 
sky lites & the upper windows which have no shades.  
    A new problem is so many of my plants are becoming so large shelving is 
not usable but must be floor plants.  This room is open to my family room so 
I must maintain an organized, pleasing view from this room.  I love this 
arrangement as the center of my garden is outside the garden room so from the 
family room I see into the garden room & thru to the garden.
    Yes, a insect/disease search is performed daily.
    I have placed a Christmas tree in this room in the past but I think this 
year I will need to abort that idea.
    Ceres, Iowa, zone 4/5

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