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Location

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Date Posted

Canada

So what's everyones views on heating hoops soil and air or no heat what's prefered method? Reason I ask is cause I'm growing 2 kins this year one hoop is heated soil and air via ceramic heater the plant in non heated is much smaller but more stockie the one in heated is growing like crazy, do you think its better to use no heat for a better slow growing stockier plant or does it really matter? I also wondered do u think with use of heating cables do the roots tend to stay within the heated area rather then spread out and go deeper with no heat? Dave

5/6/2012 9:15:09 PM

Sourthern Utah

dave i got 2 hoops with ground cables.. 1 with a light ,, kinda experiment ,, see whats,, what,, 2 plants in each hoop,, today had 18F temps,, inside was 62,, but left covered with blankets all, today till after work,, 2 looked to have grown some,,, uncovered and open fer 3 hrs before dark,, all,, look great, so far,,, I grow at 6500 ft elevation,, heat is my only option fer early starts,, your farther north than,, me ,, i need it ,, hope this assists in your thoughts.. best this year to you... curt

5/6/2012 9:36:41 PM

South of Buffalo

Outside of Buffalo i have 2 cold frames, both with soil cables. i have two small ceremic heaters but i have not used them, last year or this year. at night I close up the cold frames and put a foam cooler over the plant.
I think plants that are not heated start out slower and then catch up with warmer night temps. My roots were everywhere, not just the area of the cables. jeff

5/6/2012 9:50:08 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Dave, no heaters in the hoophouse this year for me (just using a heat lamp...1 per plant for overnight) and I have not noticed any differance from previous years with 1500 watt heaters running all night to keep the temps above 60 degrees. My electric bill is way down...and the plants are about the same.

5/7/2012 9:33:04 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

I have the hoophouses heated at night due to the colder nights. Here in Southern New England the weather has gotten damp and the plants have responded with little growth. By putting the heaters in the hoophouses I was able to really get them to kick start them. With no sun being out the plants needed a bit of warmth. The sunlight we recieved today really helped the plants grow. I have a growlight in the hoopes and heaters. The plants have done better with the hoops being warmer. This is the first time I've had heaters in the hoopes and I see no need to stop this. Of coarse you always have to make sure you vent the houses during the heat of the day.

5/7/2012 12:19:22 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Heat cableZ in the WiZnator at home......Soil temp iZ 75.....plant goeZ in....Wednesday.....then we will see....

5/7/2012 12:21:28 PM