Temperature and ventilation Plant growth is at its lowest ebb this month, owing to the brief hours of daylight. It is a mistake to try to make plants grow more rapidly by raising the temperature, as the resulting growth will be too soft and sappy. Within reasonable limits temperature must be related to light conditions, a minimum night temperature of 7°C (45°F) is adequate for most plants in the average greenhouse. Open ventilators a little on sunny days but close them again quite early in the afternoon, before the temperature begins to drop, to retain as much of the heat of the day as possible. Watering Most plants, except those actually in flower, must be kept fairly dry, but do not allow them to dry out to the extent that the soil begins to shrink from the sides of the pot. In warm greenhouses, if floors and paths need damping down to increase humidity, do this during the early part of the day. This is unlikely to be required where oil or gas heaters are used. Discontinue overhead misting of plants for the time being. Taking cuttings Take cuttings from border perennials, perpetual carnations and late-flowering varieties of chrysanthemums. Overwintering Check bulbs and tubers in store for signs of fungal diseases and check on resting chrysanthemums and fuchsias to ensure they have hot dried out. Forcing Pot up lily bulbs and prune any roses you are forcing in containers for early flowers. Box up rhubarb and chicory for forcing. Check on bowls of bulbs being forced for winter flowering. Vines Vines should be pruned once the leaves have fallen and the plants are dormant for the winter; if you prune during the growing season, they will 'bleed' (lose sap) copiously when cut. One of the most convenient and space-saving forms of training for a vine in a small greenhouse is the rod and spur system. Once the main stem or the permanent laterals have reached the length you require, cut back all the shoots each winter to just one plump bud. Now the vine is dormant this is also a good time to propagate from eye cuttings. Make the cuttings about 3 cm (1 1/2 in) long, each with a single 'eye' or bud. Making sure the bud is facing upwards, remove a strip of bark on the side opposite the bud, making a shallow cut from half way down the stem to the base. Dip the cut surface in a rooting hormone, then insert it vertically in a pot of compost. The bud should be level with, or just above, the surface. Keep in a propagator in a moist atmosphere at a temperature of about 24°C (75°F) until it has rooted, then gradually harden off and plant outdoors or in the greenhouse in late spring.