Keeping Seedlings Warm at Night

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Kristen, Mar 11, 2012.

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  1. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    No me neither, I was just surprised how quickly it dropped off. Not sure if that was because it was radiant heat - although, saying that, the drop would have been "instant" when the lamp went off, if it was just the loss of radiant heat surely? so perhaps that is the rate of heat loss through a plastic sheet :(
     
    Kristen, Mar 16, 2012
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  2. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

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    Nothing I can do Victoria, but i'll put a post it note on the back of Armandii's head in the office:patpat:
     
    Phil A, Mar 16, 2012
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  3. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    This weekend I'm going to put my heated propagator in the bottom of my mini-greenhouse (which is inside my glass greenhouse). I'll let you know how much (if any!) it heats it up by.
     
    JWK, Mar 16, 2012
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  4. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    Better (I think!) graph from last night. Put the indoor weather station controller in the "Blow Away" again last night, but it was in from 4pm yesterday until 11am this morning. Pity I don't have simultaneous measurement of the temperature in the conservatory. Controller was out of any radiation effect range (I think). Looks to me that the lamp will provide a 5C degree lift :blue thumb: for this time of year I reckon that is enough, although I might get a little Parasene fan heater just to be sure ...

    Green = Light on at 10pm
    Blue = Light off at 8am - surprising how quickly the temperature falls, the polythene would definitely be useless as an insulator outside ...
    Red = Sun starting to warm the conservatory

    ConservatoryBlowaway2.gif
     
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      Kristen, Mar 17, 2012
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Very interesting so far Kristen.

      So I put my 22 Watt propagator in the plastic mini-greenhouse which is within my glass greenhouse.

      Last night there was a minus 2 deg C frost. The main part of the unheated greenhouse was just above zero, inside the mini-greenhouse the minimum was 3.5 C.

      During the day I’m seeing about a 2 to 3 degree C temp lift due to using the propagator as a heater.

      Tonight I’ve swapped the propagator with a 50 watt one, I guess it should raise the temp another degree or two.

      So far my test tomato plants are still growing inside the plastic mini-greenhouse, I’ve got flowers starting to develop on each one. I think it’s way too cold for them to actually set fruit, but time will tell.
       
      JWK, Mar 19, 2012
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    • Kristen

      Kristen Under gardener

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      Interesting John, thanks.

      You not worried the Toms will "stall" below 10C ?

      I've always sought to keep mine above 10C, but I do know people aren't bothered even when they turn Blue!
       
      Kristen, Mar 19, 2012
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Well they seem to be growing (very slowly), the flower truss is getting a little bigger each day, but I'm pretty sure the pollen can't fertilize the flowers below 12 deg C.
       
      JWK, Mar 19, 2012
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