Orchid lady, ventilation is crucial for all plants, the more vents the better, 25 is a good setting though with mine being South facing I am out opening vents and doors as it is also sheltered from the cold Northerly and Easterly winds we get straight off the North sea. If yours is in a more open position then you may be closing one side opening the other, depends on wind direction. If you are out all day better to be cool than baking set the openings before you leave.
sorry to hijack somewhat. i have some tomato seedlings going - sown march 15. they are in 3inch or so pots. red alert and gardeners delight. they have been grown on a west facing windowsill, and remain there now. i only have a plastic greenhouse outside. im wondering whether its still too cold to put them out. plus, i dont have access to them in the day to open the zip on a hot day. whats the best thing to do? they seem to be growing ok, not particularly fast though.
I'm keeping a blog of my efforts this year... It also has some pictures of when I set up last year... Http://smallspaceveggies.blogspot.com just updated yesterday...
Oh just another trick I've learned over the years with tomatoes... If they go leggy in pots before planting out, take off the lower leaf stalks as many as you can and plant them really deep in compost/soil up to the leaf stalk you leave on... Each little hair on a tomato stem is a root waiting to happen... More roots.. More toms... In native climbs tomatoes would creep along ground setting roots wherever it can... Basically wherever stem hits soil... By taking off lower leaves and planting deep, the stem will generate more roots.
Another tip, forgotten side shoots on indeterminate plants (cane ones) can be pinched off early in year, up to June, placed in a glass of water to create a new rooted plant in a few days for potting up.... May be lucky to get a few trusses of green toms for chutney!
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Orchid lady, ventilation is crucial for all plants, the more vents the better, 25 is a good setting though with mine being South facing I am out opening vents and doors as it is also sheltered from the cold Northerly and Easterly winds we get straight off the North sea. If yours is in a more open position then you may be closing one side opening the other, depends on wind direction. If you are out all day better to be cool than baking set the openings before you leave.
Frank.
sorry to hijack somewhat. i have some tomato seedlings going - sown march 15. they are in 3inch or so pots. red alert and gardeners delight. they have been grown on a west facing windowsill, and remain there now. i only have a plastic greenhouse outside. im wondering whether its still too cold to put them out. plus, i dont have access to them in the day to open the zip on a hot day. whats the best thing to do? they seem to be growing ok, not particularly fast though.
Frank, so lovely to know that you are well and back on the forum
Your advice is always welcome.
I'm keeping a blog of my efforts this year... It also has some pictures of when I set up last year... Http://smallspaceveggies.blogspot.com just updated yesterday...
Oh just another trick I've learned over the years with tomatoes... If they go leggy in pots before planting out, take off the lower leaf stalks as many as you can and plant them really deep in compost/soil up to the leaf stalk you leave on... Each little hair on a tomato stem is a root waiting to happen... More roots.. More toms... In native climbs tomatoes would creep along ground setting roots wherever it can... Basically wherever stem hits soil... By taking off lower leaves and planting deep, the stem will generate more roots.
Another tip, forgotten side shoots on indeterminate plants (cane ones) can be pinched off early in year, up to June, placed in a glass of water to create a new rooted plant in a few days for potting up.... May be lucky to get a few trusses of green toms for chutney!
Thanks for sharing your tips John, I certainly would like some green toms for chutney
Will probably give that a go.
I will put my chutney recipe and sweet chilli recipe on my blog some time this week...
http://smallspaceveggies.blogspot.com Sweet chilli sauce is divine. Also home made cassis... Adult Ribena.. Lol
Hi, Frank, the weather thread has not been the same without you, nice to have you back.
Cassis with sparkling wine John, yummy