Two weeks ago the local allotment had their annual plant sale. They said the
beans and tomatoes were not good and they had none for sale and to come back
in two weeks. Yesterday on visiting again they had hardly any on display.

They said the problem was the weather being so hot, that the poly tunnels
got too hot, and opening up the tunnels at each end was not enough to solve
the problem.

What struck me was, that if you covered the tunnels with old blankets or
rugs or something similar, would that not cool the tunnel down? Since it's
the effect of the transparent plastic that is responsible for a lot of the
heating effect, i would have thought?

"john ryan" wrote

Two weeks ago the local allotment had their annual plant sale. They said
the beans and tomatoes were not good and they had none for sale and to
come back in two weeks. Yesterday on visiting again they had hardly any
on display.

They said the problem was the weather being so hot, that the poly tunnels
got too hot, and opening up the tunnels at each end was not enough to
solve the problem.

What struck me was, that if you covered the tunnels with old blankets or
rugs or something similar, would that not cool the tunnel down? Since
it's the effect of the transparent plastic that is responsible for a lot
of the heating effect, i would have thought?
We had ours out on the patio for weeks, hardening off and growing well,
planted them out yesterday (with flowers). Why didn't they simply move them
outdoors? Unless you are in frosty part of the UK.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
"john ryan" wrote

Two weeks ago the local allotment had their annual plant sale. They said
the beans and tomatoes were not good and they had none for sale and to
come back in two weeks. Yesterday on visiting again they had hardly any
on display.

They said the problem was the weather being so hot, that the poly tunnels
got too hot, and opening up the tunnels at each end was not enough to
solve the problem.

What struck me was, that if you covered the tunnels with old blankets or
rugs or something similar, would that not cool the tunnel down? Since
it's the effect of the transparent plastic that is responsible for a lot
of the heating effect, i would have thought?
We had ours out on the patio for weeks, hardening off and growing well,
planted them out yesterday (with flowers). Why didn't they simply move
them outdoors? Unless you are in frosty part of the UK.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK


This was on an allotment. Would excessive sun and heat have 'done for them'
in the poly tunnel, if they had been properly watered i wonder?

john ryan wrote:
We had ours out on the patio for weeks, hardening off and growing well,
planted them out yesterday (with flowers). Why didn't they simply move
them outdoors? Unless you are in frosty part of the UK.
This was on an allotment. Would excessive sun and heat have 'done for them'
in the poly tunnel, if they had been properly watered i wonder?

My tomatoes are doing mostly exceptionally well this year, started off in
root trainers and then transplanted to 3" pots until they are grow-bag
ready. Some that are in flower now and still in the pots are looking a bit
saggy (and looking for a new home!), but other than that, the hot weather
hasn't done them any harm.