Greenhouse growing advice please.

Discussion in 'Greenhouse Growing' started by rustyroots, Jul 2, 2016.

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  1. rustyroots

    rustyroots Total Gardener

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    Hi All,

    This is the first year I have had a proper greenhouse for growing. I have an 8 X 7 foot. I have put the plants directly into the soil, which is really rich as I moved it to where the compost heap was. I have 3 tomato plants all with green fruit, 1 cucumber which has only been in a week, but is romping away, 2 chilliest and 1 pepper all have started fruiting in the last week. I water daily and feed twice a week with tomato feed (unfortunately I have no comfrey, but intend to get some for next year).

    I have a couple of questions:

    What temperature is ideal? There is lots of conflicting info online. During the day I would say it averages about 25c and at night about 12c. I open roof window and leave the door open about quarter of the way in the morning before going to work.

    Should I be damping down for humidity? I understood that this causes blight. Is this correct?

    All plants seem to be doing really well, so I suppose that they must like it.

    Any tips or advice greatly appreciated.

    Rusty
     
    rustyroots, Jul 2, 2016
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  2. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    Rusty, if the plants look well (and it certainly sounds like it) then carry on with what you are doing, Go easy on the tomato feed though as it may affect the flavour of the fruits.
     
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      daitheplant, Jul 2, 2016
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    • rustyroots

      rustyroots Total Gardener

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      They get 20L between 7 plants a week. Is that too much?

      Rusty
       
      rustyroots, Jul 2, 2016
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    • daitheplant

      daitheplant Total Gardener

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      I would halve it Rusty.
       
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        daitheplant, Jul 2, 2016
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      • Trunky

        Trunky ...who nose about gardening

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        Rusty, if the plants are in good rich soil and looking healthy, I'd say feeding just once a week would be enough.
        As for damping down, you only need to do it on bright sunny days, that should help avoid any possible problems with blight or other fungal diseases. :dbgrtmb:
         
        Trunky, Jul 2, 2016
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      • rustyroots

        rustyroots Total Gardener

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        Thanks for the replies.

        I will feed once a week from now on then.

        Rusty
         
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          rustyroots, Jul 2, 2016
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          No damping down won't cause blight.
           
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            JWK, Jul 4, 2016
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          • daitheplant

            daitheplant Total Gardener

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            Though it may affect the cucumber as they need an airy, dry atmosphere. Whereabouts in greenhouse is the cuc`?
             
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              daitheplant, Jul 4, 2016
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            • rustyroots

              rustyroots Total Gardener

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              I have toms down one side, peppers and chilles down the other and cucumber at the end opposite the door.

              First flower starting to open on cucumber today.

              Rusty
               
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                rustyroots, Jul 4, 2016
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              • daitheplant

                daitheplant Total Gardener

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                The cucumber should be planted next to the door, BUT don`t move it now.
                 
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                  daitheplant, Jul 4, 2016
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                • rustyroots

                  rustyroots Total Gardener

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                  :wallbanging::wallbanging::wallbanging::wallbanging:
                   
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                    rustyroots, Jul 4, 2016
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                  • Billybell

                    Billybell Gardener

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                    Sorry but I disagree with that. Cucumbers need a warm humid atmosphere and are usually planted at the opposite end to the door.
                     
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                      Billybell, Jul 4, 2016
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                    • JWK

                      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                      Sounds ideal to me, it's difficult growing different things in the same greenhouse as toms/peppers like it dry with lots of light whereas cucumbers need humidity and shade from strong direct sunlight.

                      So its a bit of a compromise, if you can, partition off the cucumbers at the end with a sheet of clear plastic and try and keep that end more humid. I know folk who grow their cucumbers under the bench partitioned off with plastic sheet, with little direct sunshine - they do well.

                      Anyway it sounds like yours are all doing OK.

                      The ideal temperature is around 22C but I can never achieve this, just do your best to keep temperatures below 30C - above that and plant growth is affected - above 35C can damage or even kill them if its prolonged. I have bamboo blinds I drape over the roof if we ever see the sun again!

                      I have auto vents which help to maintain a little bit of a steady state, they are not particularly expensive. I still have to leave the door open during the day at this time of year though. It's better to leave everything open especially if you go away for a day or so, then you don't risk cooking everything inside :blue thumb:
                       
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                        JWK, Jul 5, 2016
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                      • daitheplant

                        daitheplant Total Gardener

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                        You have it the wrong way around, TOMATOES need a warm, humid atmosphere. CUCUMBERS need a dry atmosphere with plenty of ventilation.
                         
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                          daitheplant, Jul 5, 2016
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                        • rustyroots

                          rustyroots Total Gardener

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                          Hi JWK,

                          The auto opener is not working I need to get a new one.

                          RustyRusty
                           
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                            rustyroots, Jul 5, 2016
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