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Garden State Pumpkins

first time user of cold frames and the morning condensation or for that matter all day condensation even when one side is open worries me...seems like a great breeding ground for fusaria...Any ideas? I can spray zerotol inside ...should I? Maybe a little paranoid..Yikes!

5/5/2003 8:32:21 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Chuck,
Still too cool. Fusarium wakes up when soils are warm. Innoculate roots when dry. Condensation OK for now.
Steve

5/5/2003 9:06:39 AM

Montoursville, PA

Higher humidity and wind protection goes along with using the frames. Exactly what the doctor ordered. I will go away when you have to open because it gets to warm inside. I try to keep inside below 90 degrees. I frequently cut and later tape back shut half moon vents in the plastic covering near the top of the frames. My inside the frame thermometer is on a vernicle stake I can read from the outside. Watch them close for a couple of days until you get a handle on how they are warming or not warming for you. Cooked seedlings a pumpkin pie do not make.

5/5/2003 9:29:56 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

cold and overcast all day so the condensation stayed...probably could have left the lights on all day..it was that cold...will watch the temperature better...last year cold frame was more open these are tight..cant see through this plastic...is that enough sunlight in there? seems to me they 'll have to be broken into direct sunlight slowly..
thanks for the help! Chuck

5/5/2003 8:14:11 PM

Montoursville, PA

Chuck.........as the season warms you open up and let the air circulate. This hardens off the plant slowly. You have enough light. You babies need about ten to fifteen days to set their running legs. Towards the end of that time you will be more open than closed if the weather is normal.

If you are using a wind break protection barrier you can set it up as you open the frames up more and more. Depending on how your cold frames are built you may be able to use the five sides to the advantage of wind protection for a few days to two weeks into the growing season. With five sides you could have an surround with the corners open.

5/5/2003 8:48:30 PM

Buffalo,Minnesota

I made my frames with no top, I guess I would call them more of a windbreak, but they did the job. No problem with condensation.

5/6/2003 2:09:35 AM

Walton N.y.

chuck i think you'll be ok my cold frames also sweat and haven't had a problem like somebody already said watching the temp inside is a big thing above 50 and below 90 is a good thing the condensation should get less and less when the weather warms up as you'll have to leave the cold frames open more and longer each day and after the plant outgrows the frame i open 1-2 sides and leave the frame there as a wind break along with some limited protection for the stump should a hail storm pop up while nobody's around

5/6/2003 8:52:36 AM