My Lily crop needs HEAT

[Jim Barrett <jeb@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu>]

Interesting comments on this situation.  Last evening, I sent a reply
directly to Michael, but with the discussion I thought I would provide it
to everyone.



Michael,

Probably best not to use the unvented heater.  You could lose everything
with that— yes I know some do it.

The hours when dif temperatures are most important are just before and
after sunrise.  Thus, you could use a "temperature dip" or "California dif"
as some refer to it.   Before sunrise open vents and lower temp to 55 and
hold that for about 3 hours.  Then allow the greenhouse to warm to a day
temp that gives you the 24 hour average temp needed for development.  This
dip will help alleviate the excess elongation caused by a large +dif.  

Jim Barrett


>Return-path: <owner-florinet@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu>
>Return-path: layman@utahlinx.com
>Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 03:35:22 -0800
>From: Michael Layman <layman@utahlinx.com>
>Subject: My Lily crop needs HEAT
>Sender: owner-florinet@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu
>To: FLORINET@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu
>Errors-to: owner-florinet@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu
>Warnings-to: <>
>Reply-to: Michael Layman <layman@utahlinx.com>
>X-Listname: Floriculture Faculty Discussion Group
> <FLORINET@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu>
>
>Request for advice,
>
>My Lily (Lilium longiflorium) crop is just reaching Visible Bud.
>
>Height is on the tall side so I am trying to control with a 
>negative DIF.
>
>The greenhouse is primarily heated by a hot water system with a 
>gas forced air heater for backup.  Unfortunately, the boiler is
>down for about 10-14 days awaiting a new heat exchanger :-(
>
>The unit heater is not keeping up.  I would like 68-70F Nights,
>but can only maintain about 62-64F and the soil temp is 54.
>
>So the question is:  If I put an unvented propane space heater in
>the house will I run a greater risk of damaging the crop with gas than
>trying to catch up on timing later?
>
>Or shall I run up the day temps and have the tallest crop in the west?
>
>Thanks for any and all opinions,
>
>Michael Layman
>layman@utahlinx.com
>
>


Jim Barrett				Phone 352-392-7931
P.O. Box 110670				Fax   352-392-3870
Environmental Horticulture Dept.	http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu
1545 Fifield Hall			email jeb@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL  32611-0670