[CH] Re: CH] Re: Pubescent in the Andes [v8 #738]
Love2Troll (Love2Troll@kc.rr.com)
Mon, 26 Jan 2004 17:54:09 -0600
More Jean Andrews:
Temperature:
Most authors are in agreement that the environmental factor that plays the predominant role in reducing fruit-set is temperature. During germination and while the plant is young the optimal night temperature is at least as high as 30°C (86°F); however, as the plant becomes older, the optimal night temperature progressively decreases. Maximum growth occurs at the 21°-26.5°C (69.8°-79.7F) temperature range. Early flowering and fruit maturity are augmented by high temperatures, but from the standpoint of fruit-set, high temperatures are not desirable. Higher night temperatures cause more abnormalities, and when they go above 30°C (86°F), no fruit will set at all. Best yields occur when night temperatures range between 18°C and 27°C (64.4°-80°F), but 15.5°-21°C (60°-70°F) is ideal for fruit-set. While certain South American species (e.g., C. pubescens and C. eximium) tolerate the cold, plants indigenous to the North American continent are highly susceptible to freezing temperatures and for the most part are grown as annuals.
More on moisture, soil and light to follow. (if anyone is interested)
JohnT