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  • From: Bill Shoemaker <wshoemak AT illinois.edu>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Summer Squash on Black Plastic
  • Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 17:07:40 -0500 (CDT)

Allan

My view is that spun-bondeds work best for plant production when you get
appropriate ventilation. The heavyweight version is more for winter
protection. The light weight doesn't generate as much heat but is great for
insect exclusion. I prefer the medium weight products for crop production.
But you're right, the drip system may have also been a critical factor.
Plants use transpiration for cooling.

We're exceptionally warm too. Last year we had only 1-2 days that reached
90F. This year we had 2-3 in April. This week we've had 4 days reach 90F.

Bill


---- Original message ----
>Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 14:34:49 -0400
>From: "Allan.Balliett" <allan.balliett AT gmail.com>
>Subject: [Market-farming] Summer Squash on Black Plastic
>To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
>
>I've got my yellow, zuke and pan squash out on black plastic like
>we've done the last couple of years.
>
>I've got heavy remay over them, which I think I used for the first
>crop last season.
>
>I just peaked under the remay and found that about half the squash
>were dead and the remaining half, half dead.
>
>And it was extremely hot under the remay.
>
>But, isn't that what summer squash loves?
>
>I think my flaw was under watering with plugged t-tape. The soil was
>damp but the t-tape was clearly not working as it should. The squash
>have been out for two weeks.
>
>My question, which comes from being pretty flustered right now, is
>this: that combination, black plastic and heavy remay (actually,
>probably mid-weight) is normally just fine for summer squash, isn't
>it ?
>
>At least I didnt' see any cucumber beetles on my squash when I lifed
>the remay! ;-)
>
>Thanks
>
>Allan in WV (zone 7, mid-Atlantic where it is HOT right now)
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William H Shoemaker, UI-Crop Sciences
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
St Charles Horticulture Research Center
535 Randall Road St Charles, IL 60174
630-584-7254; FAX-584-4610




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