Reflectix

As you note. in some cases, dryness is more important than insulation. Th
e oncocyclus irises for examplecan stand a fair amount of cold near zero but
not wetness of rotting humus or the associated bacteria. Usually Erwinia
carotovora.

----- Original Message -----
From: "P. C. Andrews" <pcamusa@hotmail.com>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 6:21 PM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix
w

Hi All- Thanks for all your comments. In my case I have the sand bed and
the stone mulch bone dry when I cover it so I am not particularly
concerned about rot. In fact, dryness seems to be as important as
insulation. My major concern is keeping snow melt out of the soil with
the consequent freeze damage in the next temperature drop.
So I went ahead and picked up a couple of rolls tonight and I'll report on
performance some time in April.
Regards,
Phil
Southern (tropical) Michigan, zone 5ish.

From: adam14113@ameritech.net
To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 17:55:04 -0600
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

Hello Santoury in Mass. In was talking about growing oncocyclus species
and
hybrids. (very touchy) as examples of touchy geophytes. the idea was
the
the method might be extended to others needing to be protected.

Sounds as if you missed a posting. Regards, Adam
----- Original Message -----
From: <santoury@aol.com>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 4:07 PM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

I thought we were talking about bubble wrap? Isn't that plastic? Pardon
if
I misunderstood.
The moisture from the rotting leaves is what causes the root rot that
kills them.
Sand actually probably may be part of the problem, since sand is very
compressed, and does not allow for any air circulation.
Maybe it would be helpful to know what kind of plants you're talking
about.
Massachusetts is probably much milder, but it's also very wet in
winter.

I don't cover the plants wet. Also, the fact that the styrofoam
panels
are flat allows air circulation under it. Also each plant is covered
with
2-4" of dry sand.. Massachusetts winters can't be harsher than Chicago
in
terms of degrees below zero

----- Original Message ----- From: <santoury@aol.com>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 3:21 PM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

I did not see the original post - but plastic will rot anything under
it.

People here in Mass. cover lawns with plastic, or even tarps, in
order to
kill grass, and everything else, to re-seed.

People here use HAY for protection in winter. It would also be a much

better insulator than a sheet of plastic.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jtlehmann@aol.com
To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org
Sent: Mon, Nov 8, 2010 2:25 pm
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

I realize the interest is covering the entire bed, and not individual
plants, but as a word of caution: I have known people who used
regular >
bubble
wrap to protect individual tender plants without success; I know of no

one
who has used it with success. The plants rot over the winter.
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