Cold protection - C9 lights and frost cloth

[akimbo]

Hi all,

In preparations for tonight’s uncharacteristic cold snap does anyone know if C9 lights placed on top of frost covers will burn the fabric?  I am wondering because it will be easier to cover a large bunch of small trees and seedlings this way rather than weaving the lights all around every single tree…

[JF Paso]

On our young trees we always put lights low under the frost cloth as heat rises. 

[BP]

On our young trees we always put lights low under the frost cloth as heat rises.

Any particular type of light you like for this?

[Sevastopol]

I think the only way the cloth will provide heat is if it catches fire. Otherwise, it's an insulator, so it won't efficiently transfer heat from the bulbs to the inside. You'll be heating the atmosphere.

[BP]

Oh yea I missed that. I thought you put the lights under the cloth, heating under it and trapping warm air from the earth and plants and lights. Seems a little sketchy unless you dial it in but I am planning on figuring it out this winter

[K-Rimes]

I used frost cloth and incandescent string lights for awhile, both in my green house, and wrapped up around some trees. I noted it good for about 2-3f improvement (tested with bluetooth tile thermometers) in the best case scenario, with minimal wind. Even just the frost cloth alone does quite a bit despite not raising temps. It will form frost on the top of the cloth, but not on the plant itself.

[Julian R]

Probably the best thing to do is get a large black plastic container (trash can or barrel or w/e) and fill it with water and let it absorb heat during the day. If you keep it near your plant and wrap them both under the frost cloth it will radiate heat over the night. You can add incandescent lights for a 1-2 degree bump as mentioned as well. Should be more than enough for our normal Central FL dips.

[BP]

I used frost cloth and incandescent string lights for awhile, both in my green house, and wrapped up around some trees. I noted it good for about 2-3f improvement (tested with bluetooth tile thermometers) in the best case scenario, with minimal wind. Even just the frost cloth alone does quite a bit despite not raising temps. It will form frost on the top of the cloth, but not on the plant itself.

Did you end up deciding it wasn't worth it in the long run or what made you not continue it

[Sevastopol]

Probably the best thing to do is get a large black plastic container (trash can or barrel or w/e) and fill it with water and let it absorb heat during the day. If you keep it near your plant and wrap them both under the frost cloth it will do radiate heat over the night. You can add incandescent lights for a 1-2 degree bump as mentioned as well. Should be more than enough for our normal Central FL dips.

Great idea because the water won't go to waste.

[K-Rimes]

I used frost cloth and incandescent string lights for awhile, both in my green house, and wrapped up around some trees. I noted it good for about 2-3f improvement (tested with bluetooth tile thermometers) in the best case scenario, with minimal wind. Even just the frost cloth alone does quite a bit despite not raising temps. It will form frost on the top of the cloth, but not on the plant itself.

Did you end up deciding it wasn't worth it in the long run or what made you not continue it

Moved to 10a. Not necessary anymore for the species in my collection. My greenhouse was disassembled as well, I don't know if I will build another due to very high winds at the new place. Would need to be solid wall with some sort of concrete foundation.

[growinginphoenix]

I have been able to keep my jack fruit at or above 45F using frost cloth and C9 lights when it drops to the mid 20s. I was recording the temperature inside the frost cloth and outside in the yard. You just need lots of strings of lights relative to the surface area of the frost cloth. Each bulb is 7 watts. It adds up if you have a lot. Just don't daisy chain too many strands or the fuse in the plug will blow and you will be sad.

[akimbo]

Just don't daisy chain too many strands or the fuse in the plug will blow and you will be sad.

Thanks for this, it made me chuckle.  Yes, my lights indicate no more than three strings connected.  Thank goodness I have an outdoor splitter to add more lines!  But detangling afterward is always the nightmare...