Re: Rép : I think I'm thinking what you're thinking...

Thanks, Richard
 
If what you say is true, then I live in a PRIME pumpkin growing area.  The average highs in this area ranges between are over 70 degrees May through October.  The only thing I would need to do help mimic the northern days is to set up some artificial light source.  
 
David from the UK pointed me to an invention that looks perfectly helpful (Beamflicker), but it requires about a $600 investment.  I'm wondering if the desired effect can be attained using 4 or 5 cheap outdoor lamps equipped with regular looking full spectrum bulbs.  Lamps can be way too expensive!

Richard Plourde <richardplourde@rogers.com> wrote:
Can't seem to find my plant physiology book... however I don't think 
there can be a temperature effect on the vascular system of a plant. 
Blood vessels have muscle cells around them that can make them 
contract or dialate regulating blood flow and pressure. There isn't 
the same structure in plants. I do know that the cycle of warm and 
cooler weather (night and day) helps the plant to store "energy" it 
produced via photosynthesis in the fruits. How much in temperature 
difference is ideal I have no clue.

I live way (and I mean WAY) up north and from my experience, I get 
much better weight gain if night temperature does not go below 70.

Rick
Edmundston, NB Canada

Frank,

What do you think about the temperature swing/vascular developement 
of the vine? I totally came up with that out of the dark recesses of 
my brain. I have never heard of anybody who was concerned with it 
before. It simply made sense to me. Hot packs and ice packs affect 
the blood vessels in you're knee when you sprain it, or your shoulder 
when you pull a muscle, etc. It either constricts the flow of 
fluids, or increases it. Shouldn't it have the same results on the 
"veins" of plants? and wouldn't it have an influence on growth?

Anybody else have any ideas or resources?

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