From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Hyde Park, VT

Does anyone use CO2 in their coldframes to give plants an extra boost.

12/9/2007 11:40:36 AM

Jericho Vermont

Ozzy,
We have never tried CO2 here. Also we have a VT growing club if you are interested. Send me an email [email protected]

John

12/9/2007 12:36:11 PM

[email protected]

Ozzy
I have used co2 the past few years, I use the CO2 pucks, They are solid and added to water. I only used the co2 from Aug 1st on, as I tend to think the boost for plant health is required more after fruit set.
I grow in greenhouses so I can use co2 anytime, unlike most.
Eddy

12/9/2007 1:43:45 PM

Hyde Park, VT

Iceman.. are you able to measure the ppms I've read that anywhere up to 1500 is fine.

12/9/2007 2:19:27 PM

[email protected]

No I've never measured the ppm, the pucks are sized by sq. ft of area. The pucks I use are designed for 1000 sq. ft I use an ice cream pail with maybe a quart of water in it, I drop the puck in there and make sure the greenhouse ic closed up for an hour after I start. It takes about 20 minutes to dissolve, They dissolve like an antacid, fissing and bubbling.
The pucks are available at most hydroponic stores, and are quite inexpensive.
Eddy

12/9/2007 2:57:33 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Like Eddy I grow in a tunnel,I've played around with various propane burners again mostly later on in the season.

Decomposing organic matter gives off co2 so a frame over a pumpkin patch could well have elevated levels as a matter of course.I did see a co2 test kit recently and plan on giving it a try,£20 for 3 tests so I'd only be doing it the once (or thrice).
I've never seen those pucks here will have to look into that.

12/9/2007 4:03:45 PM

Belgium Europe

CO2 makes plants grow better?

12/9/2007 4:43:52 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Gee, I thought we were swimming in the stuff, with all the global warming hysteria.

We ought to earn a whole bunch of money in offsets!!!!!!! Start a web page, seeking donations to keep your giant pumpkin hobby going... in no time you can get a bunch of money from people who want to save the planet. Perfect!!!!!!!

12/9/2007 5:30:25 PM

[email protected]

here's an add for the pucks, you can find many by googling co2 pucks
http://www.4hydroponics.com/grow_room/co2excellofizz.asp

Eddy

12/9/2007 7:06:33 PM

Hyde Park, VT

The "pucks" are basically dry ice right? If thats the case you're only getting a quick jolt and then the Co2 is gone. Growing inside an enclosed area gives you a huge advantage... there are square footage calculations that let you release the proper amount using a tank and timer...I don't have the formula in my head but will get the info on here soon...thanks for the interest in the subject ozzy

12/9/2007 9:34:16 PM

Ontario, Canada.

WoW Great thread guys, Eddy thanks for the link.....

12/10/2007 9:47:46 AM

[email protected]

I can't say if they are dry ice, but I think so, I looked at the tank set up, but I think it's far more complex than meets the eye.
From what I understand, and talking to a few plant people, an hour of ingestion of CO2 at the leaves, will last the plant all day.
which is why I chose to go to the puck route.
I chose to go later in the season, because the release of natural CO2, from the additives ie manure, leaves etc, should have ran it's course.
I have thought about getting a CO2 detector, but haven't done it yet.
Eddy

12/10/2007 10:23:56 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Jos,
here is a link to a recent article although this has been around for a very long time.

http://www.co2science.org/scripts/CO2ScienceB2C/articles/V10/N25/EDIT.jsp

The bit about depletion by crops is interesting and hadn't occured to me.

12/10/2007 4:40:15 PM