Solar Greenhouse Fans

**Scarlet** · 29-01-2020, 05:44 PM

I think they possibly got botrytis not blight?

That's often due to squeezing too many plants in. If you space your plants out with a good distance apart, keep your vents open and ensure you water into the ground and not the plants - I water into milk bottles sunk into the ground at regular intervals - keeps humidity down. I believe you have a better chance of them staying healthy right up until the frosts.

Sorry, I know nothing about fans...

Good info on botrytis here :

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=165

**quanglewangle** · 29-01-2020, 06:02 PM

See my thread Fan to lessen chance of botrytis? in Undercover Ops

https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...is_100698.html

My problem with solar powered fans is that they won't start first thing in the morning, at dew-forming time, when they are needed most.

Folks on here seem to favor alternatives to fans such watering methods and lower planting density. But fans are used a lot in commercial greenhouses and I think it is worth paying some attention to folks with money in the game.

**greenishfing** · 29-01-2020, 06:06 PM

I agree. Blight spreads from plant to plant - on the breeze. Air flow will not stop it. Good ventilation however is essential to prevent botrytis. The absolutely best thing you can do is not to overcrowd your greenhouse.

**quanglewangle** · 29-01-2020, 06:17 PM

Agree about not *over* crowding but the greenhouse is an asset and heating is a fixed cost. The space needs to be worked as hard as possible and I think a fan will helo do this. .

**veggiechicken** · 29-01-2020, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by quanglewangle View Post

Folks on here seem to favor alternatives to fans such watering methods and lower planting density. But fans are used a lot in commercial greenhouses and I think it is worth paying some attention to folks with money in the game.

Commercial growers in their massive GHs, are out to make a profit and prepared to invest cash in doing - they are miles away from the home grower with an 8X6 GH. No comparison whatsoever.

Increasing ventilation by opening windows and doors, watering carefully and spacing the plants works in these situations. The main thing is to have plenty of windows that open - and to open them!

**veggiechicken** · 29-01-2020, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by quanglewangle View Post

Agree about not *over* crowding but the greenhouse is an asset and heating is a fixed cost. The space needs to be worked as hard as possible and I think a fan will helo do this. .

Heating isn't a fixed cost - its a zero cost for most of us because it isn't necessary.

**Scarlet** · 29-01-2020, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by quanglewangle View Post

Agree about not *over* crowding but the greenhouse is an asset and heating is a fixed cost. The space needs to be worked as hard as possible and I think a fan will helo do this. .

Can I ask how long you have had a greenhouse and how long you have been growing tomatoes?

**Scarlet** · 29-01-2020, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post

Commercial growers in their massive GHs, are out to make a profit and prepared to invest cash in doing - they are miles away from the home grower with an 8X6 GH. No comparison whatsoever.

I would also think that ventilation will be less I in super long grow houses. A little different when your greenhouse is only 8ft long.

**quanglewangle** · 29-01-2020, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by Scarlet View Post

Can I ask how long you have had a greenhouse and how long you have been growing tomatoes?

A year and a yesr, which is why a look towards commercial practice to get up to speed.

**Scarlet** · 29-01-2020, 07:29 PM

Growing commercially is very different!
You obviously had issues last year...How big is your greenhouse and how many plants did you put in it. Regardless of any ventilation if your plants are too crammed you will likely get botrytis.

**quanglewangle** · 29-01-2020, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by Scarlet View Post

Growing commercially is very different!
You obviously had issues last year...How big is your greenhouse and how many plants did you put in it. Regardless of any ventilation if your plants are too crammed you will likely get botrytis.

Hardly any really. That's not the issue. I am quite interested in modelling commercial greenhouse. Just waiting for La Boheme to start so need to shut off phone to avoid hard stares.

**veggiechicken** · 29-01-2020, 07:58 PM

Che gelida manina................

**veggiechicken** · 29-01-2020, 08:05 PM

QW, you're a gadgets man.

Me, I'm a technophobic chicken who's been growing in a GH for 45+ years and won't be changing her ways in the next 45 years.

Each to their own - Good luck.

**SarrissUK** · 29-01-2020, 11:37 PM

I'm a bit of a gadget geek too, and I have a couple of little fans that can clip on to the metal frame and draw in fresh air from the window on the side that isn't getting the direct sun. I have no idea if it helps, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something, compared to doing nothing other than opening doors and windows.

However, I agree with the other posters - I reckon it's not blight, it's botrytis, and I had some of that last year. My greenhouse was full to the brim, and it's no bloody wonder I had damp problems.

What seemed to work best was that I picked off almost all the leaves off the plants. It was late in the season anyway, and once I had done that, air flow improved dramatically, and I didn't have any more problems after that. And I got two arms full of leaves for the compost heap

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