Arctic Express
Adam Fikso (Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:48:59 PST)

Hello Bob Werra; Re your setup for arctic weather. I think that it's
ingenious and inexpensive. But, I must comment on the idea of using larger
lights-- Don't Do It!!.

They are likely to get wa-a-ay too hot. If the usual 2" Xmas tree standard
lights are enough to burn my fingers,(and I've been burned)-- under a cover
they are likely to burn up some of your plants, and maybe even set a blanket
or tarp on fire. The smaller holiday lights (used also for Diwali) if
insufficiently warm, only need to be increased in number... Or, one could
buy a new string with the lights closer together, e.g., every 4 inches (new
ones) instead of 7-8 (old ones).

An alternative to the blankets, might be to add a small fan or two to the
inside of your makeshift greenhouse. It might eliminate the drip, keep
down the risk of fungus growth, and with the sunlight coming through the
plastic covering could improve the general welfare. Basically what you've
done is build a plastic tunnel even if you haven't thought of it that way.
Investing in one or a small greenhouse might be an easier way to go about
it.

Adam in Glenview where it's 29 and frozen.