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Amherst, WI

I currently have some back up plants growing in Wall'O water,(for those who don't know these are the mini greenhouse jobbers with water in the walls for insulation from freezing).
These plants are doing just fine with out any attention other than occasional watering. No need to close cold frames, open cold frames, turn on and off lights. After a month, they are ready to have the Wall O water removed and they lay down and are ready to start vineing.
I've never used them for my competition plants but I'm starting to think it might be an easier way to go. It seems like nobody else uses these for their plants, and I'm wondering why not. Any one have any good or bad experiences with these? Thanks.

5/23/2006 10:44:00 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I use them. Although after 7 to 10 days the plants are too big (IMHO) to keep them in there. I could keep them in there longer, but once the leaves start touching the sides of the W-o-W I usually take it off. If you accept that the plant could be cramped, they could stay on longer. I'll have to try that....

These are great. Plants stay toasty warm all night. It would need to be 16 degrees overnight (so I'm told) for there to be any damage to the plant. Wind can't touch them either, as long as the W-o-W is properly balanced and there are no defective cells.

You can see pictures of this in my April journal entry:

http://cliffwarren.byethost5.com/

5/23/2006 11:31:02 PM

Cheyenne, Wyoming

I had a 1097 Beachy in a Wall O Water this year. About three weeks ago, we had a two day stretch of 19 degree evening and 28 degree daytime temps. The 1097 Beachy was frozen solid.

John

5/23/2006 11:39:04 PM

Utah

Ron H from wyo. has been using them for years. he uses regular ones for when the plant is small ... then has others that have been made into a row (not a circle) for when the plants are bigger. I use milk jugs with water- a similar idea.

here are just a few pictures of Ron's...

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2005&grower=1651&action=L

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=8687

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=10358

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2006&grower=1651&action=L

5/24/2006 9:48:50 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Ouch! (about the frozen plant)

I'm wondering... if the daytime high was 28.... perhaps the water wasn't able to warm up during the day.

Question: Did you have the WoW in the shape of a "teepee" or a cylinder? You can situate it either way, depending on how much water you have in the cells and how much you stretch out the base.... just wondering because I think the teepee shape holds heat better.

28...19, ouch, probably only electricity could save you there!

5/24/2006 10:24:28 AM

Taber, Alberta

They are called Kozy-Coats up where I buy them. They work very well to protect from the frost. I've had tomatoes protected to -12 celcius with no problems. They've also gone for a few days where the temperature didn't go above freezing.
I use them for an extra bit of protection for my pumpkins in the spring for the first week or two until they outgrow them. Like mentioned above, make sure they are like a teepee to keep the heat in at night.
Alan

5/24/2006 10:29:43 AM

Oz

Add a little carbon(cement pigment)or dark food coloring.
It could get too hot!
Also cover the wall with bubble wrap blankets(how much is up to you and the sun/cold.
The wall might be losing it's heat to the soil.
Leave room for air to get in.like staw under the wall.
Auto house vents work great around the base with straw.
I have used clear swim tubes stacked/saran wraped around the plant with auto house vents at top and base.

5/24/2006 8:34:58 PM

Oz

The wall can lay ontop of a tire tube/swim tube etc.

5/24/2006 8:37:00 PM

Oz

Horse poop inside a tire that is saran wrapped,
will provide "ground" heat.
Wrap tire with bubble wrap,to insulate the tire from frost.

5/24/2006 8:40:04 PM

Oz

I started some plants early by planting in straw lined holes
with solid insulation board on top. electric deicer heat tape under the board in the ground will toast thing up.
Horse poop and straw,on top of the insulation board,will hold it down.
I have even used electric blankets on top of canvas;)

5/24/2006 8:49:20 PM