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Vermont Green MTN State

Ya I know this may sound nuts but would plugging the heat cables hurt/help the plants at all right now?
I am so lost for what to do. I was doing so well then it got cold and only 8lbs. was put on yesterday. I just stood at the patch last night for about an hour waiting for a miracle, trying to think of anything that would help. How depressing, it ruined my whole night. :(
Doeski

8/6/2004 9:24:22 AM

[email protected]

In response to the cool nights?

Soils take a while to lose or gain thermal energy.

The trouble I see is the night time cold effect on leaves & other upper plant parts.

Perhaps errecting a row cover just before sundown & leaving it on all night would help keep the entire vine warmer overnight. But it would have to come off during warmer days. Today not qualifying down here in CT.

8/6/2004 9:42:23 AM

Vermont Green MTN State

So maybe a thick plastic set up on a support system???

8/6/2004 9:57:29 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

It may get *too* hot under the plastic. Maybe Remay? It's also known as tobacco row cover in these parts, I can get 9' wide/100' length pieces for roughly $30.

8/6/2004 11:22:54 AM

Ri

Doeski i have used blankets here for our past and upcoming 50 degree spells. Might be worth a shot as far as the pumpkins temp is concerned. Peter

8/6/2004 1:47:53 PM

Indiana

I need to build a freakin dome! Our good season is slipping away a day at a time with lows in the 40's. Just like Dick said....LOL

Tom

8/6/2004 2:32:35 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

Yep,
And it is headed my way Tom! Ahh I'm gona build The "Dome"!PLAY GOD!!! I'm loosing my mind....I have not come this far to let f@#$*% weather take all my hard work away! I am going to make it so I can roll the top back off of the whole patch. I will post it on my diary Saturday or Sunday.

8/6/2004 2:47:40 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

Hey guys check this dudes set up! Die Hard even in October snow!!!
http://www.homestead.com/henryholman/files/pmp_patch_09242000_1.jpg

8/6/2004 4:06:47 PM

Ontario, Canada.

I have had enough. LanTerra will soon go under cover. I will build greenhouses over top of my fruit by Monday. Just too darn cool this year!

8/6/2004 4:44:48 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

It's August fellas. It may cool down a bit now but it'll rebound back to warm. Whatcha' gonna do if it's 90-100 in 2 weeks and your plants are roasting/toasting under these covers you're gonna build?
Gotta give you all A+ for dedication, care and concern though.
BTW...WeatherBob is predicting mid-40's for the next 3 nights here also, things will warm back up.

8/6/2004 4:55:06 PM

Choctaw, OK

This url to the weather channel has me all giddy!!! Say bye bye to my pumpkins this year.

Case

http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/tendayforecastusnational/us90daytemperature_large.html

8/6/2004 9:01:17 PM

Benson, Vermont

Hey Doeski, I am south of you near the southern part of Lake Champlain. This is my first year, I was wondering why I had such a lull in the action. Thanks to your posting, I feel better now, I think..... It is GREAT sleeping weather if you can think positive!!!!! :-)

8/6/2004 9:17:07 PM

New York

Since there seems to be some interest this season for cold protection, I'll post some pictures in my diary tomorrow of my set-up.
My 723 plant is all set up...basically a mini greenhouse. I made preparations this spring for this so I would be ready. It's basically 5- 27' long 2x4's that are over the 650' plant...6.5" tall going down to 4.5"...for rain run-off...using 6-mil greenhouse plastic.
I purchased a new Modine greenhouse heater with the idea of keeping the plant at 58+ degrees at all times. The plastic can easily be folded up to the base during "regular" weather so as not to "shock" the plant with heat. This also works well for hail/thunderstorms using regular shade cloth for protection. I'm so sick and tired of Mother Nature that I'll never go back...next year will have a back to back plant set-up for spring protection as well. The idea is to get as close to a 80/60 temp ratio as possible during most of the year. The only BIG drawback is putting a lot of faith into one or two plants. Unfortunately I can't grow 6+ plants this way and have to hope luck is on my side as far as plant genetics go...kind of all or nothing in a way.

8/6/2004 9:18:21 PM

[email protected]

God Bless you Alan. No one takes the controlled environment as seriously as you do. Your dedication is an inspiration to us all.

I want a fully covered & power ventilated rigid framed with extruded aluminum greenhouse with full central heat & air conditioning, suplemental lighting, CO2 generator, & above & below leaf full selonoid controlled spray system built in. Twelve foot high garage doors on both ends to facilitate tractor entry & exit. And maybe an all hydroponic root zone while I'm at it.

Who in Fairfield County CT wants to go in on this $300,000 venture with me??? LOL

Steve

8/6/2004 10:11:05 PM

Colo.Spgs.CO. Pikes Peak Chapter @ [email protected]

Good post Alan, as I totally agree with you, as you have to be totally innovative to cope with nature. I know from extreme experience trying to grow at 6000ft. altitude here in colorado, as we have 4th week of june freezes to first week of sept hard freezes, and lots of severe hail and highs and lows in between, not to mention our thin air, poor soil , and blistering high altitude sun, and crappy water....What a fun game it is to try to outsmart nature at it's best learning from every bit she gives you a taste of...lol..happy growing...JK..

8/7/2004 3:32:52 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

I got to go with Kyle on this, Hang in there fellers, Hell everyone is getting bad weather, so we all will be playing on a level field, many years of gardening and every once in a while you get a crappy one like this, Went to the neighboring county fair last week, and I KNOW we will KICK A$$ at the fair here in two weeks, all the veggies are doing great and although my pumpkins COULD be bigger, they are putting on 16-20 pounds per day and I have 50 days to weigh off here in southern Mn.

8/7/2004 9:11:31 AM

Vermont Green MTN State

The "DOME"
My Idea is to build a cover that can be rolled back in the morning nothing that will be perminate on the patch, it just gets so cold at night!
WHISKY,
How is your patch doing? are you a Vermonter? Have you checked out my Diary? I will check to see if you have one too. It is nice to see who else in VT or NY is a "Pumpkin Head" as my husband calls me!
Grow 'um big!!!
Doeski

8/8/2004 9:07:57 PM