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Growing Bedding Plants and Hanging Baskets in an Un-heated High Tunnel
Neil MattsonAssistant Professor and Floriculture Extension Specialist
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The Problem: Rising Energy Costs
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration http://www.eia.doe.gov/
$ for one gallon of #2 Fuel Oil
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2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
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Can you grow bedding plants and hanging baskets with no heat?
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Rimol high tunnel, showing louvered vents in endwall, and roll-up sides
West Haven Farms, Ithaca, NY
Slide: Chris Wien Cornell University
High TunnelsUsed for season extension
Some frost protection
Much warmer day temperatures
Ventilation required
Protection from rain/elements
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High tunnels more info• High tunnel = unheated poly-house or hoop house
– taller and more uniform temp than a cold frame• Cost to construct $1-3 per square foot• For overwintering plants typically adds 2 USDA
hardiness zones additional protection• Usually covered with a single layer of plastic
– double layer may be used / or additional covering inside• Some are erected on skids so that the structure can be
moved during the production cycle
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Air temperature inside and outside a high tunnel on a sunny April 26, 2006, in Ithaca, NY.
Ventilation is absolutely necessary during the day, even when outside air temperatures are not extreme
Slide: Chris Wien, Cornell University
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After 55 mph winds
Before…..
•High Tunnels are not for everyone:
•Need sturdy construction
•Protection from wind, snow
Slide: Chris Wien Cornell University
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Feb 2010 – 18” of snow overnight in Ithaca
Photo: Chris Wien Cornell University
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Finishing Bedding Plants in a High Tunnel
Cornell Trial
Ithaca, NY – USDA Hardiness Zone 5
5 bedding plantsTransplanted April 1 into
4” pots
Target: Ready for Mother’s Day
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Temperatures April 1 – May 15
Average Minimum Maximum
Greenhouse 66° 55° 89°
High Tunnel 61° 30° 107°
Outside 51° 26° 85°
Greenhouse heating set points were 70 F during the day and 60 F at night
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Petunia ‘Dreams Midnight’
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Marigold ‘Safari Orange’
Greenhouse High Tunnel
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Pansy ‘Delta Formula Mix’
Greenhouse High Tunnel
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Snapdragon ‘Montego Mix’
Greenhouse High Tunnel
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Zinnia ‘Dreamland Mix’
Greenhouse High Tunnel
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Finishing in High Tunnel (avg flower date)
Greenhouse flower date
High tunnel flower date
Marigold ‘Safari Orange’ April 26 May 1
Pansy ‘Delta Formula Mix’ May 9 May 10
Petunia ‘Dreams Midnight’
April 29 May 4
Snapdragon ‘Montego Mix’
May 4 May 11
Zinnia ‘Dreamland Mix’ April 30 May 6
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Plant Size (Fresh weight in grams)
Greenhouse FW
High tunnel FW
Marigold ‘Safari Orange’ 46.6 g 47.0 g
Pansy ‘Delta Formula Mix’ 20.6 25.4
Petunia ‘Dreams Midnight’
13.5 15.0
Snapdragon ‘Montego Mix’
15.5 17.8
Zinnia ‘Dreamland Mix’ 14.3 12.1
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Hanging Basket Experiment
• Petunia ‘Purple Wave’ experiment• transplanted on April 8
– 144, 288, or 512 cell plugs– 12” pots had 3, 4, or 5 plants
• Fertilized weekly with 21-5-20 at 400 ppm N• assessed marketability on May 27
– flower #, plant width, visual index
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144 cell, 5 plugs 512 cell 3 plugsavg 34 flowers avg 2 flowers
May 27th
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144 cell 288 cell 512 cell
5
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3
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Cell-Size and Plug # Affect Flower #
34
5
0
10
20
30
40
144 288 512
Plan
ts p
er 1
2" p
ot
Flow
er #
Plug size
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54° 61°
68° 75°
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Should you consider high tunnels?
• Do you grow plants that need heat year round?– don’t use for those plants (poinsettias, propagation)
• Do you have extra space – i.e. less crop turns per house than in a heated
greenhouse• Do you need to target specific ship dates?
– If so, high tunnels are risky– If you retail out of your facility may be okay
• Can you handle the risk of frost?
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Avoiding RiskUnder Bench Heating
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Under bench heat with electric hot water heater
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Temporary heating for cold nights
• Have temporary kerosene or propane burners on hand for cold nights
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Wooden beams provide some support against high snow load. This high tunnel on Long Island made it through a 20 inch snow event
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Solar Greenhouses in China
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Be Creative - doesn’t have to be a high tunnel
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Reemay fabric provides some frost protection for these outdoor petunias
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Resources
• www.hort.cornell.edu/hightunnel/ – Business & Marketing Example Crop budgets
• www.hightunnels.org• http://www.attra.ncat.org/
– search for high tunnels– also see video: Hoop Houses for Crop Extension
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Acknowledgements
Thanks to:Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and
Education – grant for hanging basket workNYSFI Research and Education Fund – grant for
bedding plant workWessels’ Farms – plugs for Ithaca work
Contact Neil Mattson:[email protected]