Temperature controls the rate of plant development and thus, crop timing. Temperature can also influence extension growth of plants, greenhouse energy consumption, and crop quality attributes. Additional information on temperature, including crop responses and greenhouse energy consumption, are listed in the articles below. Additional resources follow.
- Virtual Grower, a free computer program for greenhouse growers to predict heating costs. Developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
- Temperature and Scheduling: Improving Greenhouse Production Efficiency by Erik Runkle and Matthew Blanchard, Michigan State University.
- Greenhouse Temperature Management by A.J. Both, Rutgers University.
Resources
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Dealing with high temperatures
Published on May 17, 2014
Some of the most common heat-stress symptoms on ornamentals include lower-leaf yellowing, thin and elongated growth, delayed flowering, and small flowers. -
Cold-intermediate bedding plants
Published on February 22, 2014
Bedding plants that stop developing at moderately low temperatures can be labeled as cold-intermediate plants. This categorization is based on estimates of base temperatures derived from research data primarily generated at Michigan State University. -
Cold-tolerant bedding plants
Published on January 22, 2014
Bedding plants that stop developing at low temperatures can be labeled as cold-tolerant plants. This categorization is based on estimates of base temperatures derived from research data primarily generated at Michigan State University. -
Cold-sensitive bedding plants
Published on December 22, 2013
Bedding plants that stop developing at a relatively high temperature can be labeled as cold-sensitive plants. This categorization is based on estimates of base temperatures derived from research data primarily generated at Michigan State University. -
Temperature on chyrsanthemum
Published on July 17, 2013
Once flower buds are visible, adjusting the growing temperature has little or no impact on time to flower unless plants are held at low temperatures (50° F or less). -
Wave petunia smart scheduling
Published on March 22, 2013
We quantified the effects of temperature and photosynthetic daily light integral on flowering time and characteristics of 15 Wave petunia cultivars, then generated temperature-based flowering time models for more predictable greenhouse scheduling. -
Manipulating day and night temperatures to control flowering and heating costs
Published on February 22, 2013
The difference between the day and night temperature influences plant height of many floriculture crops, as well as greenhouse energy consumption for heating. -
Plant temperature under greenhouse curtains
Published on October 17, 2012
Retractable energy curtains save energy costs by serving as an insulative layer and reducing the amount of space heated. In addition, plants under the curtains can be at least a few degrees warmer than plants not under a curtain. -
High-temperature stress of bedding plants
Published on May 17, 2012
There are some bedding plant crops that tolerate high temperatures quite well, while others develop heat stress symptoms at lower temperatures. -
Are you recognizing your heating costs?
Published on November 17, 2011
Crop heating costs increase as production time increases, the size of the container increases, and the earlier in the spring that plants are finished. -
Measuring greenhouse temperature
Published on March 18, 2011
The single largest advantage of using greenhouses to grow ornamental and food crops is the ability to provide desirable temperatures for plant growth and development. -
Implications of base temperature
Published on January 17, 2011
Growers should avoid growing cold-tolerant and cold-sensitive crops together because crop timing, crop quality and heating costs cannot be optimized.