yoderjac
5 year old buck +
Inexpensive shop lights with regular fluorescent bulbs are very cost effective. Spend your effort on adjustability so you can keep adjusting them to keep them close to your trees rather than on expensive fancy lights.ROS VEGAS;802779 said:Thanks jack/matt.
I have been growing american chestnuts for the past couple years with mixed success. I figured it is time to start doing it the right way.
I have followed most of your threads.....I think you have a better handle on growing chestnuts than The American Chestnut Foundation.
Time to go all in and get the proper equipment/setup.
Use express trays for your 18s so you can reorganize chestnuts according to height. This also helps with light adjustability.
Use a well drained professional soilless mix. You can water too much with this and rootmakers but you can water too often.
Unless you know your water chemistry is right, start thinking about how to collect rain water and to store and use it indoors in the winter.
I bought a whole-house atomizing humidifier that I tied into the plumbing. Instead of venting it into my duct work, I vent it directly into the basement. I have a rotating fan blowing at the output vent to distribute the humidity through the basement. I believe humidity is good but it is a second order factor.
Keep your ambient heat between 70 and 80.
Use a fan to get good stem flex indoors, but use it for short periods. It can dry out leaves and kill trees if used too much.
I am experimenting with bottom heat. I used it for Pawpaw last year and it worked very well. I'm going to try it with some chestnuts this year.
Hope that helps,
Jack