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Garden State Pumpkins

Okay last year ended up with fusaria and had plastic wind breaks which didn't allow enough air movement so decided to go with Burlap. The cold frames are getting to tight to keep the plants in and the excess moisture with the heat lamps is definitely starting to cause problems with the leaves getting some kind of crazy wilt especially the one by the contaminated area. rather go with the cool spring then jeopardize the plants...any thoughts will help..trouble brewing in NJ.

5/22/2003 12:46:14 PM

Nova Scotia

i know moister shortened my season. could you have small sections of plastic wind breaks and have small gaps inbetween to alow air flow. as well next year i'm installing a small fan to have a good air flow. is that fesible for you?

5/22/2003 1:09:51 PM

Bemidji, MN

I have also used heat lamps for 5 years, but have not had any plant problems from moisture created. I will say that I do keep door slightly open at night to let moisture out. try that and see if it helps. Steve

5/22/2003 1:32:41 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

on my hot houses (which have A-frame peaks vs rectangular box shape) I place a strip of Duct tape on both sides of the peak and then slice a thin 1/4 inch opening (about a foot in length) in the ductape to create a vent (much like vents on a house)Ductape keeps the plastic from tearing further in the wind. Also keeps hot house from overheating on warmer days. Last few cold nights here in Minnesota, I cover the whole A-frame with old quilts to keep the vents covered at night and keeps interior temp around 52-54 degrees.

5/22/2003 4:48:41 PM

Montoursville, PA

Hey my cold frames were hitting on 100 plus degrees. I ripped them open as shown in the diary. I still have plan B which includes packing tape and duct tape if it turns cold.

As you see them in the later pix (50+) I posted hanging open is still heating to 90 degrees daytime but with nice air flow. There has been no wilting. I'm leaving them open at night as part of the hardening off face the elements program. So far I have not had a need of lights to add heat.

5/22/2003 5:19:15 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I've posted pictures in my diary of the problems with the cold frames and plants...Looks to me that they have to come out as the coldframes are causing more problems then they're solving...It's like the drops off the canopy are acid rain! and now the moldy leafs are starting...they only had three days of sun in the 18 days they've been out. Thanks everybody for the help...I'm paranoid that I'm creating more of a problem leaving em in. will get the wind blocks up and cool em down till whatever it is gets under control..ahhhhhh

5/22/2003 5:40:47 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Thanks for all the emails and help!....I think the "acid rain" was hit on the head by Tom Beachy...Been scratching my head about it...he said fert burn...didn't foliar treat anything but the canopies were on the ground when I spread urea on the rest of the patch and probably dissolve some in the damp plastic...Don't ya hate rookies! General consensus was to let em out of the cold frames so That's what I'll do and zerotol anything I think might have a problem...and start the sevin/daconil program for the season. Thanks to everyone for helping...and for that moral support...yeah it was getting to me this time! Chuck

5/23/2003 8:38:08 AM