Market Farming

["Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>]

>I'm about to erect a GH, specifically to start pepper seedlings.
>I understand the bottom heat thing to get them going (or, I may start
>them inside then take them out, covered, to the GH).  But as peppers like
it hot to grow, how would they do in a 55 or 60 degree GH?
>
>Robert.


Starting the seed inside is not as good as bottom heat but is still better
than in a greenhouse that's too cool. Just be sure to put them out in the
greenhouse right away once they begin to emerge. They need the greenhouse
light regime immediately! Just a reminder that peppers are notoriously slow
at germination and emergence. It can take up to two weeks. Don't overwater
during that time because that favors soil borne pathogens. 55 to 60 degrees
in the greenhouse may mean slow growth but that's not necessarily bad.
They'll turn into transplants, they'll just take a little longer.

Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center