From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Atlanta, Georgia

Anyone here know about phototropism in atlantic giants?
Some plants will not bloom in a greenhouse for example if they recieve normal light during the day and then someone mistakenly turns on the light at night even for a few minutes.

The reason I'm asking is because I'm heating my greenhouse with a growing lamp and want to keep it on 24 hours per day especially since it's cool here at night.

It might be better to turn off the light at night and use a heater then. It's just that I only have one heater that I need to germinate my test patch plants with right now...
Michel

5/9/2004 9:35:25 AM

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

The longest that I have used 24/7 lighting on pumpkins is 8 days doesn't seem to be a problem,This year I used it for 3-4 weeks on the cucumbers and watermelons can't say for sure for a couple of months but again they look fine.
The longest I have grown any plant 24/7 is onions for 6-8 weeks they are day lenth sensitive beyond that age but up til then it is well proven to be an advantage.

5/9/2004 10:29:55 AM

[email protected]

I'm sure it does play a role. To the extent?

Our cuttings bloomed here all winter. Males & Females. It got to be a bother after a while. Rooting hormone powder may have had an influence so this might not be a good example.

This would include the plants kept inside under flourescent lights as well as those in the greenhouse that only had real winter sunlight.

5/9/2004 12:14:52 PM

Montoursville, PA

For the past two years I have used a seventy five watt bulb in a shop light to warm the 4 X 4 X 4 feet cold frames....and to tease the vine to run the desired direction. Pictures are in my diary.

When the nights are under fifty degrees the lamps will add about 12 degrees to my cold frames. It adds valued degrees and causes the plant to lean towards the light. This goes on pretty much the whole month of May.

5/9/2004 12:54:27 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

I meant photoperiodism, not phototropism but thanks for the replies so far.
I guess you guys knew what I meant.
Phototropism is when the plant leans toward the light due to auxin build-up on the shady side and photoperiodism refers to a plant's general response to light or lack of it.
I just have no clue of any research regarding this with pumpkins but it seems from what I've heard so far that this won't hurt the young plants at least in the beginning and it does make them grow in the direction of the light even if the first true leaf is facing the light falsely as in my situation.

Glad to hear that you do it the whole month of may docpipe!

I hope to hear more comments and thanks again everyone!
Michel

5/9/2004 1:35:30 PM