Re: Perfect conditions...
In a message dated 2/2/00 9:52:43 PM Eastern Standard Time,
deborahsloves@webtv.net writes:
<< ....controlled...conditions...????
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have ..PERFECT...conditions.......
Deborah....
>>
Deb,
You're on the right track, about optimizing growing conditions. Larry and
Bob have your number though, concerning greenhouse growing. Greenhouses are
good for extending a growing season, but usually the conditions in a
greenhouse are not optimum, or it will put you in the poor house to try to
make them optimum. Each season has it's own greenhouse problems. Winter is
low temps, low sunlight levels (compared to summer), low CO2 levels, plus the
fact that starting a plant in the winter will get you a mature pumpkin some
time in July. Spring time greenhouses are great.....then......when the sun
gets high, they turn into ovens....like a parked car with the windows rolled
up. Best to wait until early May and let it rip! A very early start in a
greenhouse is a common novice mistake too. It is counterproductive to start a
plant in a pot, however large the pot is, two months before the growing
season starts. You end up with a big, spindley, pot bound piece of junk that
doesn't transplant well. In another month you will see on this list, people
starting plants to get the jump on everyone...............you end up with
inferior plants. Start em in late April and put them out 2 weeks later....put
a little greenhouse over them until the weather gets warm and you are on your
way. No big deal. I assume you are up North........ the people in N.Z. and
Florida have been going a long time. If you put up a little greenhouse early,
vent it or you will cook your plant. THERE IS NO GREATER TEMPTATION THAN TO
SEE LISTINGS WHERE A FEW PEOPLE HAVE STARTED PLANTS AND YOU THINK YOU ARE
LOSING OUT TO THEM. Ask a few heavy hitters if they have started yet. Don't
be surprised if some people have vines and the heavy hitters are just
starting their seeds!
pumkinguy
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