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Buffalo, New York

I put out my hoops today with heating cables buried under them.

during the 7-10 days until i put plants out in them, should i vent them at all or should i leaved them closed up even though they will get over 100 degrees?

obviously, when i put the plants out, i will vent during the day but what temp are you trying to keep the plants at once transplanting in them?

4/26/2009 7:34:03 PM

Buffalo, new York, USA

I've keep mine closed. That 100 degree temp will do nothing but get that cold damp soil a little warmer!

4/26/2009 7:36:23 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I put mine out today also Jeremy. After putting the soil cable in and then watering with molasses/humic ( weak mixture 50% ) she's wrapped up good. I think Zander is right, those 100 + degree daytime temps should get the good critters fired up.

4/26/2009 7:41:26 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Jeremy,
I've found that if I dont open them, I need to put a bucket of water in them or the soil dries out so much it is like dust and when you water the seedling the water will not be absorbed easily.

4/26/2009 8:15:48 PM

Midway, UT

I also think you need to consider the biology in the soil. Much over 100 degrees and you might do some damage to the little guys that can help the pumpkin grow. You want to heat the soil but not cook it.

4/26/2009 9:47:59 PM

Rhode Island

agree with arvadaboy. create the same growing conditions as you will have once the plants go in.
open on the hot days, open when it rains, closed on cold nights.
to hot and you cook things

4/27/2009 7:36:19 AM

Buffalo, New York

ok, i opened the tops of the ends today to get some air in them.85 sunny outside.

now what is this i hear about people putting buckets of water in....what is that for?

what is considered a cold night pap?

50 or lower?

4/27/2009 10:39:50 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

I use 5 gallon water containers filled with water to help keep the ambient temp a bit more even in the hoophouse to help the temps stay a bit more even. Warmer at night, cooler during the day. Heat Sink Mentality...... Last year I used 2 gallon containers and notice a bunch of roots growing under the container or towards where it was a bit warmer.......This year....fish tank heaters in the 5 gallon jug.......WiZ WiZe.....llol

4/27/2009 2:14:07 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

JR...the water bucket will help keep the humidity up inside yer hoopdie, which is a good thing...as long as there is some air flow to keep it from getting too much!! The heat inside the hoop house will dry things out, the bucket of water will evaporate w/the heat to keep your humidity up. It's like battling two monsters at the same time!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...Amazing how smart them Colorado kids have gotten, in just a couple years!!!
PPS...I like it when I have open my hoop early in the mornin, and it rains on the inside!!!

4/27/2009 11:38:11 PM

Buffalo, New York

I am sorry, I dont understand.
Currently, My hoops are vented tonight while temps are in the high 50's.

Most of the day on Tuesday, It is suppose to rain, so i should keep them vented?

I dont understand what a filled water bucket in the hoop helps?

4/28/2009 1:31:27 AM

Ohio

think of your hoop as a bathroom shower, ever notice after you take a hot shower your mirror is all fogged up with water and steam?

4/28/2009 4:52:47 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

The open 5 gallon pail keeps your humidity from plummeting. If your hoop is warmer than your surrounding air (outside) then it tends to drop moisture and turn dry (relative humidity lowers). The open pail evaporates and keeps the water in air up. Heat-sinking by putting gallon jugs of water or 2-3 liter bottles of water in there, is like turning it into a giant sized wallOwater. The water absorbs heat during the day and radiates it at night, giving a more even temperature. I do both in mine, jugs of water and an open pail. Pail sometimes also deals with my kamakazi spring buggies too, they come for the lights and warmth and end up taking a dive in the pail and drowning.

I open hoops every day after sunrise and close before sunset, amount of venting depends on how warm it is going to be and how much wind. Even if still air is below 50 if there is ANY sun that temp will climb fast inside that plastic!

4/28/2009 9:42:16 AM