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Has anyone set up temporary housing to extend growing season yet?

myermike_1micha

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Here's mine. Not much but I am sure they will he happy until about November out there. Direct access to my spare room where they will be held all summer. This way I can leave my door open and keep it warm in there. I can also collect heat from it since it faces south against the house.

Well this site is not allowing upload of pics right now, I will show them later if they can upload..)

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poncirusguy6b452xx

6 years ago

There is a bank of light at the top of the main box to light the shorter trees and get light to the lower branches of the tall trees.

I usual leave my trees outside until the temperatures drop to the mid 30's F. When the temperatures drop below that I bring the trees inside for the night. In the morning I put a bag over the tree before taking the tree outside. It will take about a 1/2 hour for the tree to lose heat to the out door temps. This prevents leaf temperature shock. This year I have to leave town for business 10-20-17 and my trees will have to come in early to go under the lights. I have started the light acclimation process 2-3 weeks early.

Steve

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Comments (8)

Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
6 years ago
Yes would love to see picture. I decided to upgrade my mudroom, add more lighting and convert to green house. Will post pictures when I have them all in.
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hibiscus909
6 years ago
Can't wait to see!
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poncirusguy6b452xx
6 years ago
I will have 9 trees in this box this winter.
Click on HOUZZ Photo. Click on the browse button to the right and chose your computer photo to upload into the box then click on insert in the right lower corner.
PRO
Home
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Btw Steve, how tall is that cabinet in your photo? It looks like your trees are touching the top of the cabinet already but you still manage to have light shining on it. Are the lights installed even higher up in that space in the back?
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sunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
The temperatures are down to 42 degrees for the last 2-3 nights, I brought my trees inside, next week it's going to warm up a little again. I don't want the new growth to get damaged by cold. Sorry, no pics, it is not allowing me to post :(
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poncirusguy6b452xx
6 years ago
The citrus trees had 5 feet tops and the beets had 2 feet. The heat from the lights over the beets heated the floor of the citrus department to 85F. The smaller section on top was needed to fit the larger trees. It to has its own bank of light.
Beets in the bottom level

This bank of light over 16 broccoli plant was used over the big grow box's highest level.

Steve
0
PRO
Home
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Ah I see, I couldn't tell where the light for your trees were coming from. Still amazes me to see the setup you have for them.

Tonight is 56 for me and supposed to drop to 53 at its lowest tomorrow. I'm still leaving my tree outside but I'm debating whether to start transitioning it now or later. Temperatures will pick back up on Tuesday though and even rise back to a high/low of 78/70 degrees on Friday!
0

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