Heating row tunnels and grow box with Christmas lights
Dec 8, 2009 cheap, indoor grow box
Currently it is 16 degrees outside and given my grow box containing jalapeno peppers is in my unheated detached garage, which can bring some challenges. Like most plants, peppers will continue to grow in the range of 60 to 90 degrees, but thrive in 70 to 90 degrees. With the lights on the grow box gets to about 60 degrees but drips to the 50’s at night. This will result in plants having stunted growth and begin dropping blossoms before they can start bearing fruit.
My solution, a string of green mini Christmas lights. Just to clarify these are your typical small bulb Christmas lights not LEDs, given the efficiency of LEDs they do not product much extra heat which is what I am going for here. I also chose green Christmas lights because plants do not absorb this wavelength very well so they can be left on at night to keep heating while still letting the plants “sleep”.
Of course results will vary depending on the size of your grow box or outside row tunnel, insulation, and exterior temperature, but I am seeing 8-10 degree increase in temperature with a single string (50 bulbs)
I am always open to new ideas to safely, cheaply and efficiently heat my grow box or row tunnel so if anyone has any other suggestions please add a comment.
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December 8th, 2009 at 9:48 PM
it's seems like your getting awfully complicated. Wouldn't it be simpler, more efficient and cheaper to put in a heating pad/reptile aquarium heater in the enclosure and use a relay to turn it on/off?
December 9th, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Actually I tried the heating pad though it helps with the surface temperature though the abient still stays very cold. I'll have to take a look at the pet store, only retile heaters I have seen is a heat lamp though it was thermostat controlled so could be too intense and also add light during what the plants thinks should be night time. I will have to see if they have any non-light options out there so I could get one relay back for watering or an air pump
December 9th, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Examples of reptile terrarium heating devices.http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/215458/product.webhttp://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214930/product.webhttp://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/16290/product.web
December 9th, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Great idea with the green LED's. Jalapenos will grow just fine in cold weather down to freezing, they just won't be as spicy when they are ripe.
December 9th, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Engineer, Thanks for the links never seen the ceramic heater variety would be pretty easy addition for a grow box though wouldn't trust the high voltage in a row tunnel though.Red, well technically not LEDs those are too efficient and don't put out enough heat. I am new to the growing peppers during the winter, though from what I have read peppers will drop their blossoms if they get out of the 50-90 degree range. Though I agree after they have some fruit growing they are pretty hardy.
December 17th, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Why not just use a small personal heater?http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Mini-Personal-Heater/3432614/product.html#product-detail