From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Dover, DE

Saw this idea in Don Langevins book III
seems like a good idea, wrap plastic around a sawhorse and instant coldframe would this work ????

pg1

12/15/2009 10:29:37 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I used a similar method for years. Just renew the plastic each spring.

12/15/2009 3:22:07 PM

Ohio

Yea it works fine unless you have a 1068 Wallace inside it and you have a wife go open the plastic up in the mornings so it dont cook the plant, but instead she knocks one of the legs out of the sawhorse and it falls dead center on your seedling, breaking it. ( This really happend back in 2005,lol)

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=33946

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=34154

12/15/2009 5:20:33 PM

Rhode Island

the size of the plant covering is directly related to your climate.

in new england we put our plants out in much larger mini greenhouses. we put our plants out around may 1st to keep them protected ,especially at night from frost for at least a month or more, (depending on how fast the plant grows)

a saw horse green house would not allow for much plant growth before it needed to be removed.
id suggest at least a big say horse frame or you will be out of space before the weather is stable.
in the warmer climates protection is not as big a issue.

always err on the side of caution when doing anything with your quest for thst monster pumpkin.

pap

12/16/2009 9:15:18 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Go with big clear Rubbermaid Storage units..perfect mini greenhouses

12/16/2009 2:07:33 PM

Dover, DE

u r right LVP,, ty ,, never, never, ever thought of that

12/16/2009 5:33:27 PM

Ohio

LVP gave me that Rubbermaid idea a few years ago, and it works great in a pinch untill the plants starts to vine out some.
I tried it and it works like a charm, one of the easiest and cheapest green house's to set up.
Whats the biggest ,clear Rubbermaid you have seen out there Linus?

Brooks

12/16/2009 7:40:44 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

the Maine giant pumpkin growers have a great tutorial on building a cheap, quick greenhouse on their website. Its the design that I use on my plants and works great. You can put up several of them in just a few hours if especially if you have a helper.

12/16/2009 11:17:27 PM

Dover, DE

Do I need to vent the rubbermaid greenhouse somehow or just put it overtop the seedling ?

12/17/2009 9:01:33 AM

Rhode Island

always need to vent on warm to hot days. if not the seedling will cook or at a minimum be set back because of heat stress.

12/18/2009 9:04:18 AM

Petrolia,Ontario. Canada

Hey John have a look at my grower diary i just use 2 by 2's and vapour barrier for housing they are triangle shaped and work great for me if you need a hand designing let me know thanks Lonnie

also i install a small vent screen in one end that can open and close for venting

12/18/2009 1:20:46 PM

Dover, DE

im trying to figure out the best way to ventilate a rubbermaide container,, LoL

12/18/2009 2:50:44 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

oh...You need to ventilate especially with manure. Every spring I see the cloched leaves all dead & crispy.

12/18/2009 7:56:53 PM

Ohio

pumpkingrower, when I used them I would mainly use them for covering the seedling plant up at night, and would just lift the container completely off in the morning so the plants dont get burnt up by the sun.

I use them mainly on my field pumpkins mostly, but have used them on my Ag's like on my back up plants,, also when I was feeling lazy and not wanting to put some time in a green house made out of PVC and plastic. lol,, but they do work good, and a small light can fit inside with enough room with out burning your plant at night.

12/18/2009 8:16:59 PM

Dover, DE

ok,, thanks so much guys,, and happy holidays

take care

pg1

12/19/2009 9:56:53 AM

Dover, DE

heyy,, brooks,, is this the rubbermiade idea u were talking about?

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=107911

at the bottom right corner of the picture ?

12/26/2009 9:54:44 AM