Hot Pots

[Marty Reichenberger <mreich@terraworld.net>]

This is the first year we have transplanted poinsettias and placed them
in a retractable roof greenhouse with no shade cloth.  I keep the roof
only cracked slightly (10%) to reduce the light intensity (equal to
about 20% shade) and it has roll up sides to increase ventilation.  We
are keeping the points misted down hourly to help with
evapotranspiration and to increase the humidity; and they have stopped
wilting in the heat of the afternoon.  The only problem I am seeing is
they are slower to root out of the Oasis than in the double poly houses
with 45% shade and fan and pad.  The soil temperatures are quite a bit
higher (above 100 degrees at times) than the double poly houses, but the
leaves are covering the top of the soil and blocking out almost all of
the light on the top of the pot.  Is there a temperature at which they
won't root out into the media??  I still have very healthy roots and
have applied fungicide.  I wouldn't be so worried if the heat would
break in this area (SE Kansas 95-100 daily).  Has anyone transplanted
into houses without in shade comparable to my situation and area???  Any
thoughts would be appreciated!!

Marty Reichenberger
Green Thumb Greenhouse
Independence, KS