[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

Hi All,

Does the tin foil relflection technique (Suggested by DD) work really well?

I havent got any foil at the moment, but there is perenial cloud cover at the moment, and I need something to stop everything becoming leggy, and searching for the sun?

Regards

Wizzy

[Aunt Sally]

It works !

Not as good as a greenhouse but better than no foil.

[surbie100]

yes, definitely works.
I used to have to turn seed trays daily and the seedlings still got leggy. Now they are sturdy and upright.

[DD.]

If it didn't work, I don't think I'd have been using it for the past 40 years! 

I certainly wouldn't have recommended it if it didn't!

[mumofstig]

You haven't sold the tin foil shares yet then?

    

[simonwatson]

Without a doubt, yes it does. All my seedlings on the windowsill would agree.

[DD.]

You haven't sold the tin foil shares yet then?

    

No way - they're going to treble in value with this weather!

[Aunt Sally]

It works !

Not as good as a greenhouse but better than no foil.

I've been using it for over 30 years too.  I even use it in the greenhouse on a shady side.

[Willow_Warren]

Yep, I will confirm it too...

I had some pepper plants with foil and some without (simply because I couldn't fine the necessary bit to make a tin foil reflector) and the ones without the foil needed turning after a couple of days, whilst the ones with the foil did not 

I only used value foil...

Hannah

[Trillium]

the plants don't know the difference between cheap and pricey foil, so I've bought the super cheap stuff.

As long as it reflects, that's all that matters.

[JayG]

Don't have any figures for how much difference it makes but most cheap aluminium foil has one side which is considerably more shiny than the other - you may as well make sure the shiny side faces the window to maximise the reflected light. 

[DD.]

The how reflective a material is is termed its "Albedo". Aluminium foil tops most lists as up to 95%, so I've been correct in saying that using this method nearly doubles the amount of light your plants get.

[Daamoot]

Yip, it certainly does work!  The chilli, basil and corriander I sowed in single pots have required turning almost daily and are a little leggy but the seed tray of peppers, tomatoes and chillis with foil are growing strong, short and straight.  Mylar is about 99% reflective but also costs a lot more, not worth it imo since foil is very effective.

[Dave Mack]

That reminds me to get some more tin foil in  i used the last of it to make a hat last year when the world was going to end ... what a waste 

[parsley]

That reminds me to get some more tin foil in  i used the last of it to make a hat last year when the world was going to end ... what a waste 

Bahahahaha! I laugh but on a site I used to be staff on we had people preparing for that event for years rofl. It got even more interesting when the Full Mooners logged in