Re: Cool Nights
Hi Beth, List,
This is a tough one. Air temperature is probably the single most important
environmental factor effecting both plant and fruit growth. It is also one of
the hardest for most of us to control. Root temperatures become increasingly
important as fall approaches. Some research shows that root temperatures of 66°F
are minimal to sustain meaningful growth. This seems high to me. Soil heating
cables may be a factor in these cooler days and nights, but consider the cost of
trying to heat 1000 cubic feet of pumpkin patch. Perhaps utilizing heat cables
around the immediate plant stump would offer some additional growing performance
as night time temperatures rob the soil of precious warmth.
Without actually enclosing the pumpkin patch, raising the ambient air
temperature would certainly be an exercise in futility.
Oven roasted bricks?
I'm trying to picture Beth explaining to her bewildered husband when he comes
home to a kitchen filled with 200 to 300 masonry blocks....:-)
As Bob pointed out, rigging space heaters in the patch can be fraught with
danger.
And Amy rightly tells the tale of night time trudges to the patch with almost
any supple covering to protect against the dangers of frost.
Of course all information regarding pumpkin patch peripherals on the schraiber
plot are highly classified. ;-)
Respectfully,
Greg Schraiber
Beth Rado wrote:
> Okay, folks, here come the cool nights. We've had some good growth and now
> we want to keep it going. What have you all used to maximize growth as the
> weather shifts into fall and with what results? Do you try to keep the
> pumpkin warm? Is there any way to heat the microclimate of the whole plant?
>
> I assume some extra blankies on the fruit are standard. Anybody use hot
> water bottles? Electric blankets? Oven-roasted bricks?
>
> Does it help to close in the pumpkin hut and heat it, or does the whole
> plant need the warmth? So how about the whole plant? If it's one of those
> cold, still nights, I assume a fan set on low would help. Or would it? How
> about a few nice little heat lamps scattered around; but of course the
> plants also need darkness. Greg Schraiber, what's your take on this?
> You've explored lighting issues. And computers! Is your patch
> thermostatically controlled??
>
> George Brooks, do you turn your heating cables back on this time of year??
> I don't need them in the spring here, but maybe I should add them to the
> patch next year so they are ready to turn on in the fall, eh?
>
> Looking for ideas as a cool, cool night approaches!
>
> Thanks,
> Beth
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Pumpkin-growing FAQ: http://www.hort.net/lists/pumpkins/search.cgi
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pumpkin-growing FAQ: http://www.hort.net/lists/pumpkins/search.cgi
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
