Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: andyw on March 19, 2012, 09:55

Title: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on March 19, 2012, 09:55
I had the heater on in the greenhouse lastnight and checked all was well this morning.  I've had the heater running this morning still with the door and window shut, but when I checked about 15 minutes ago nearly 80% of the peppers and about 50% of the tomato plants are hanging over with the leaves touching the compost.  The temperature in the greenhouse was 37c until I opened the door and window.  Has either the frost or the heat this morning killed some of these off?  I'm a little bit annoyed as they were doing really well  :(
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: DD. on March 19, 2012, 10:06
Could be either.

I have a heated greenhouse, but won't consider putting my plants in there until April.

Tomatoes need a minimum temp of 10C and will cook at almost 100F!
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: mrs mud on March 19, 2012, 10:09
How big are they ? my toms and peppers are only 2 inches high and keep bending and straightening again, I assumed it was the sun as they are on kitchen windowsill.  I do know from past experience they can wilt in high temps even when fully grown but mine always perked up again.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on March 19, 2012, 10:09
that is about 37c which is what the greenhouse was even if it was just an hour, I've some others that are in a propagator still,  but it's still a shame if they die.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on March 19, 2012, 10:11
Only about 1.5 inches, I guess if they don't pick up by the afternoon then they're dead?
How big are they ? my toms and peppers are only 2 inches high and keep bending and straightening again, I assumed it was the sun as they are on kitchen windowsill.  I do know from past experience they can wilt in high temps even when fully grown but mine always perked up again.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: JayG on March 19, 2012, 10:12
Doesn't sound very likely that they have been frosted!

They have probably wilted in the heat, and should pick up - they won't have enjoyed either the high temperatures or the sudden cooling off.

What sort of heater is it? If electric you would benefit your plants and your electricity bill by fitting a plug-in thermostat - an automatic vent opener would also help to avoid excessive temperatures, especially when you're not there to keep an eye on things.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: DD. on March 19, 2012, 10:13
We had a frost here last night!
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on March 19, 2012, 10:14
We did to, but I had the electric heater on, if it was the cold can I expect them all to die?  They've gone from cold to hot in a very short time.
We had a frost here last night!
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: JayG on March 19, 2012, 10:22
If the temperature shot up that fast this morning I think it very unlikely they were frosted last night with the heater on.

belt = thermostat, braces = auto vent opener!  :)
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on March 19, 2012, 10:48
Ok thanks.  I've just checked and they have perked up a little.  When it's gets warmer can you leave the door and window open over night?
If the temperature shot up that fast this morning I think it very unlikely they were frosted last night with the heater on.

belt = thermostat, braces = auto vent opener!  :)
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: JayG on March 19, 2012, 10:59
With the likes of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers you've got to aim to keep the temperature no lower than around 10C, but no higher than around 30C - obviously this presents different challenges at different times of year, and your general location and your greenhouse's particular location will have a bearing on it too.

A max/min thermometer obviously helps keep track of what is happening in there, but the exact combination of opening and closing routines needs to be learned by experience of the changing seasons and day-to-day weather.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: mumofstig on March 19, 2012, 11:02
All too true. It was 0 overnight in my (unheated) glasshouse but it was 38C at 8am.
I've just started the out during the day and in at night thing for my toms peppers and Aubs   ::)
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on March 19, 2012, 11:08
I always knew that this was to be a steep lerning curve, so if does not turn out to be a good season for me at least I will be able to start next year with some experience.

Also my greenhouse seem to be above 30c already when the sun is out!
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: JayG on March 19, 2012, 11:14
Don't worry unduly about it - the keyword is "aiming" to hit the temperature target - not many of us are perfect shots (certainly not me!) and most plants are fairly forgiving as long as they're not subjected to real extremes (I exclude cucumbers from that generalisation though!  :nowink:)
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on March 20, 2012, 08:22
I can confirm that they all look ok now.  Many thanks.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: sunshineband on March 20, 2012, 16:35
If it is really bright and sunny the temperature really hoiks up, and the seedlings' roots cannot keep up with the water lost by their leaves --- hence they wilt.

I lay a single sheet of newspaper over mine on days like that... it certainly helps, and they get plenty of light
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on March 21, 2012, 17:57
thanks really helpful.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on April 17, 2012, 09:06
I returned back yesterday to find that my tomato plants are now up to a foot tall.  Are these ready to be planted into grow bags now?.  Also I have read that when planting it's a good idea to remove the or leaves and plant dealer, is this the case?
Man thanks
Any
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: DD. on April 17, 2012, 09:09
I think you have a finger/keyboard interface problem, Andy. Could you clarify please?
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: tadpole on April 17, 2012, 09:41
I think you have a finger/keyboard interface problem, Andy. Could you clarify please?
I think he means Deeper.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on April 17, 2012, 09:45
Sorry I did mean deeper, still in holiday mode.

I think you have a finger/keyboard interface problem, Andy. Could you clarify please?
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: DD. on April 17, 2012, 10:23
Ah, I take it you mean lower leaves and you haven't changed your name!  :lol:

I don't actually remove any, but certainly plant lower, up to the healthiest leaf.  At this stage, in my book, removing healthy leaves increases the risk of infection and the plant also needs them.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on April 17, 2012, 10:35
Yes my name is Andy and not Any  ???

Ok thanks.  I have a few of those bottomless large pots that are designed to go on top of the grow bags I think?  am I correct in saying that has the plan grows you add more soil to the stem, or is this a waste of time?

Andy

Ah, I take it you mean lower leaves and you haven't changed your name!  :lol:

I don't actually remove any, but certainly plant lower, up to the healthiest leaf.  At this stage, in my book, removing healthy leaves increases the risk of infection and the plant also needs them.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: DD. on April 17, 2012, 10:36
Not, it's not a waste of time as the plants will put out roots from the part of the stem covered up.
Title: Re: My peppers and tomatoes have wilted
Post by: andyw on April 17, 2012, 14:49
Great thank you DD, I will plant out all the large plants tonight.  I will also monitor the temprature as well and use the heater when it's cold.