Alexis Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 I'm preparing a little differently in anticipation of winter this year. After researching which practical materials insulate the best, the conclusion was that air was the best for the job. So I've obtained some AirCap bubble wrap and started wrapping each individual pot. The idea is that they trap heat during the day and release it slowly overnight. It certainly feels warm when you stick your head in it! I've just made a start on one tray for one size of pot: I then added a layer around the back of the tray to lessen any heat loss through the surrounding glass, although it was going dark by this stage: I'll update this thread when I've done the lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchasselblad74 Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 Pretty neat set-up you've got there.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantrid Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 (edited) I dont think it will make any difference. Any heat in those small pots will be lost within minutes. The fact that they are in a greenhouse is sufficient. It will allow the pots to thaw regularly allowing the water movement in the plants and protect from wind and dessication. The bubblewrap will trap moisture and stop air movement and encouraage mould etc. also as spring approaches and the suns radiation increases you might even get overheating. edit if you wrap them completely which I just noticed you havent Edited November 19, 2011 by mantrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted November 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 Yeah, it's really just an experiment to see if it makes any difference during frosty periods. Air movement is paramount, which is why the plants themselves are clear. During mild periods the doors will be left open. I have two doors now, which lets the air move through the greenhouse like a tunnel. There is also the problem of the soil being frozen of long periods (which even occurs under glass), which stops the uptake of water and the drying out of the plant. If you can keep 5mm thawed out around the edge of the pot, it might let any roots there take up some moisture. I know some people said they lost plants at the cold corners of the greenhouse last year, so whilst the plants are frost hardy, I don't think sustained frost is to their benefit, even if it is 'survivable' most of the time. Plus, we all know the problems of botrytis, exacerbated through lack of air movement, even in relatively frostless winters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted November 20, 2011 Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 Looks like an interestng idea Alexis, a lot of plants are lost because the roots freeze solid in small pots, wheras in much bigger pots no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexa Posted November 20, 2011 Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 Could only really work if you have a few plants, but if you have hundreds...... I've been trimmimg mine back and will invest in some fleece to lay over the plants over the winter. After the last three winters I'm keen to do something. Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel G Posted November 20, 2011 Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 I've done the stupid thing, took all my Sarrs into the porch, which will experience cold, but not freezing temps. When i get a "Proper" greenhouse, then the bubble wrap and fleece will come out. But for now, i'm too afraid of dormancy in a cold frame. Correct me if you think dormancy can be done in a cold frame tho'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan F. Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 I've done the stupid thing, took all my Sarrs into the porch, which will experience cold, but not freezing temps. When i get a "Proper" greenhouse, then the bubble wrap and fleece will come out. But for now, i'm too afraid of dormancy in a cold frame. Correct me if you think dormancy can be done in a cold frame tho'! I was like you and put bubble wrap over the greenhouse and put a heater on over winter for there dormancy thinking they will not survive the winter. But that was 6 years ago and now I leave some outside and some in the greenhouse with NO Protection at all. It`s not the cold that kills then its them being too wet over winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel G Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 That mean you reckon i could just stick em' out in a cold frame all winter, as long as i monitor them well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Yes, although I think it's fair to say *extreme* cold can contribute to deaths. Otherwise so so many people wouldn't have lost plants last winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billynomates666 Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hi all I keep 99% of my adult plants outside, admittedly in a bog with a relatively high mass, but with minimal protection (a layer or two of fern fronds) and they come through the winters OK, even the VFTs, so a cold frame should be no problem. # You chaps with greenhouses and cold frames do you experience any adverse effects from potted plants repeatedly freezing and thawing, or getting too warm too early and starting growth at innapropriate times? Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel G Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hmmm, will talk to Adrian, and then probably stick all me Sarrs out in the cold frame :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted December 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Forgot to post a little update now they're all done: It's now mild and dank though, so the doors are open to let the air through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnivoor Posted December 28, 2011 Report Share Posted December 28, 2011 Last year I had two containers outside during the winter and I used bubble wrap to put over them to keep most of the wind out. Since all my plants outside survived I thought I'd do the same thing this year , but now with all my plants that were planted in a couple of big containers. Because the prediction was that we would have a seriously cold winter ,I bought myself some rolls of bubble wrap for the other containers. They're still in their original wrapping, I keep telling myself when it freezes I will wrap the plants up but up 'till now we only once had a bit of frost at night. I'm unwilling to put the wrapping over the plants now because I'm afraid if they're covered and the sun comes out a couple of days in a row my plants will start to send up flowers because of the warming air under the plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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