Kitchen Garden Forum

Having read the 2 popular poly tunnel books I am confused by the damping down issue. They recommend that p/t`s are regularly damped down to increase humidity. My questions are, should this apply to G/houses? What about the blight issue, does this not encourage blight growth conditions?

I damp down my greenhouse when it is very hot and the plants seem to enjoy it. I do keep the windows and doors open though for good ventilation too. I've not had any blight problems.

It also keeps red spider mite numbers down as they prefer dry conditions.

I try not to splash soil on the leaves of plants and don't wet the foliage when it is sunny to avoid scorch, or from late afternoon so they aren't wet over night.

You are more likely to get moulds later in the season in cloudy damp weather.

I dampen down our greenhouse when it's warm, at the same time opening all flaps and doors. Our greenhouse path is a thick layer of limestone chippings so I always water that well and the drying process then causes humidity.

My main concern is the influence damping down may or may not have on blight, as I lost my entire g/house tom population last year