question on seedling temps
hello all, As I mentioned in another post I bought a cheap greenhouse(picture enclosed) to put in my insulated shop that stays about 43 degrees or so when the outside temps dip down in the 20's or so. I am going to put a milk house heater in the green house for more heat and also use heat mats and fluorescent lights for my grow lights. My question is what is the best temp to maintain inside the green house? Also whats the minimum temp the seedlings can take? I am growing the usual garden veggies. Thanks all.
- MoonShadows
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Basically as long as you keep your plants from frost or freezing they will live. But they grow at a slowed pace when subjected to lower temperatures,even if just during nights. I would strive to keep them in at least the 50-60 range and if temps dip into the 40s you still have a safety net. You need to be real careful where you record your temps when you get in the lower 40s. Any eye level thermometer reading below 40F will mean a lower temperature at ground level.
- applestar
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Yep I agree. Get thermometer(s) with max/min and monitor the temperatures at floor levels to ceiling levels until you know what to expect — I use remote sensors at various indoor gardening areas and outside areas — and the base station stays inside. You can even get smartphone app linked ones now, though they are more pricey. Temperature will be higher while the lights are on and lower once they are turned off and cool down. Shelves above the lights will be warmer and can supply some bottom heat while they are on.
Take advantage of the micro-thermal layers and put cold/cool weather seedlings (onions, lettuce,etc.) on lower levels (45-60°F), tomatoes and cabbage/broccoli on middle levels (55-70°F) and warm weather seedlings (peppers and eggplants) on upper levels (65-80°F — increase to these levels with heat mats if necessary).
...be sure to guard against mice — they favor peppers and broccoli seedlings... tomato and cabbage, too, if they are hungry.
Take advantage of the micro-thermal layers and put cold/cool weather seedlings (onions, lettuce,etc.) on lower levels (45-60°F), tomatoes and cabbage/broccoli on middle levels (55-70°F) and warm weather seedlings (peppers and eggplants) on upper levels (65-80°F — increase to these levels with heat mats if necessary).
...be sure to guard against mice — they favor peppers and broccoli seedlings... tomato and cabbage, too, if they are hungry.
- rainbowgardener
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- MoonShadows
- Senior Member
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2017 4:50 am
- Location: Stroudsburg, PA - Zone 6a
- MoonShadows
- Senior Member
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2017 4:50 am
- Location: Stroudsburg, PA - Zone 6a