Re: size
Mike, Others,
I think you've hit on some major points here. Soil temperature is a greater
factor then most of us realize. I suspect we don't ponder it much because there
are no easy ways to control it. It is generally agreed that root temperatures
~75 F are optimal. Air temperature, has a huge effect on vegetative growth,
flower initiation, fruit growth, and fruit quality. Consider day to night air
temperature changes. The wider the variation, the taller the plant and the
smaller the leaf size. Plant growth is highest at air temperatures ~82 degrees F
steady day and night, however, maximum fruit growth occurs when daytime
temperatures are ~72 degrees falling ~5 degrees at night.
You mention sunlight as a factor in plant size. Light levels will have a
direct effect on leaf inter node lengths as well as the more basic function of
photosynthesis. More specifically the color of the light effects the leaf node
length. I suspect that, in areas with intense sunlight levels, the plants simply
receive more of the blue light spectrum, resulting in stockier plants. It might
be interesting for those in the sunshine state to use a 30 percent shade clothe
during the early plant growth stages to 'stretch' out the plant.
Greg Schraiber
Vickie Brock wrote:
>
> I wonder if cooler days provide root growth............and warmer days
> plant growth. It apprears the warm Cal climate produces fast plant growth
> instead of root growth. You also wonder if the extra day light allows
> plants to be smaller..................I don't know just
> brainstorming............thoughts observations,anybody?
>
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