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Date Posted

Denver, Co.

I just read How to grow World Class Giant Pumpkins III & there seems to be alot of growers storing water in plastic barrels to warm it before they use it. Is anyone doing this & what is the advantage? The book mentions it but doesn't say why. Thanks,Terry

4/1/2010 12:20:41 AM

Middle TN

I read that too. I dont know (Im a newbie) but my guess would be its to prevent lowering the soil temp. Hopefully someone will come along and tell us for sure :)
Tammy

4/1/2010 8:19:53 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Soil biology peaks when soil warms. City water will gas-off chlorine if aged in an open vessle so open warming tank. Care to control mosquitoes.

4/1/2010 10:10:18 AM

Middle TN

hehehe and I was thinking 'keep the roots warm!' LOL
Thanks Tremor :)

4/1/2010 4:38:02 PM

Cincinnati,OH

Hey Tremor at what soil temp do soil diseases become most active ?

4/1/2010 10:34:02 PM

Denver, CO

Urban, here is a small part of an growing manual for Florida greehouses, the I think applied to our pumpkins as well. Hope it helps.


http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv264

Most well water in Florida arrives at the greenhouse at about 68-70oF year-round. There is no need to increase the temperature above this except perhaps for seedling germination. In this case, heating water to 80oF for NFT germination of seedlings is beneficial.

Water temperature above 80-85oF may cause reductions in plant growth. Warm water cannot carry as much oxygen as cooler water and higher root media temperatures lead to problems in root function and growth. Root rot problems are more severe where water temperature is too high.

4/3/2010 9:44:45 PM

Denver, Co.

Thanks for the info guys, I'm learning so much from all of you! Terry

4/4/2010 12:21:37 PM

West Chazy,N.Y.

I use well water and most of the time brook water , the temps of my well is 40 deg. and the brook water is 38 deg. so I warm my water to about 75 deg. when watering the leaves I have found more growth with warmer water as opposed to colder water. seems like the plant uptake is faster or more responsive to the wamer temps. I have also found that useing warmer water 75-80 deg. that it doesnt evaporate as fast as colder water 45-50deg. The same goes for watering below the leaves also,or when doing a soil drench. I have measured considerable amount of growth by useing warmer water. im not talking about useing water that is 100 deg or above. to hot will scorch the plant leaves and or burn them,so I don't heat over 80 deg.

4/4/2010 1:16:46 PM