Dicksonia antarctica straw cage cocoon, temp gain over outside, *early reading

[cordyman]

De binbagged and de fleeced the Dicksonia antarctica cocoon to install the wireless temp sensor






The cocoon certainly keeps the elements out, wet, wind, frost and ice, but does it offer any temp benefit?

I'm not expecting it to differ much in the milder temps, but i'm sure it will once we drop to zero and below. The cage is linked directly with the warm ground temps so this should channel up the cocoon in theory.

Cast your votes as to how much if any temps will differ vs outside?

[otorongo]

Is that where the sensor is, exposed to the outside? If so, not much difference!

[fern Rob]

Could the sensor be put in the crown.

[cordyman]

no the sensor is buried near the crown and covered back up with straw, fleece bag back in place, and bin bag back over the top

[fern Rob]

Great idea cordy.

[cordyman]

going to take the first reading in a mo, now its had chance to settle

will also record the high and low, so if we get any prolonged frozen spells, can see how long its been sub zero etc

[Blairs]

There should be little temperature difference during the day. The straw and fleece should release the heat slower during the long winter nights in principal, that is why you do it.

It was also 12C here and I took all my Dicksonia antarctica out of the greenhouse to soak up the damp mild weather. The cocoon would be good for a repeat of 2010, not what we have had so far this winter.

[cordyman]

Outside temp 9.4*c

Dicksonia antarctica cocoon temp 9.9*c


no temp benefit to be seen at the moment, they can vary by 0.5*c anyway

also when the sun is on the black bin bag on a clear day that may show some heat up

[cordyman]

There should be little temperature difference during the day. The straw and fleece should release the heat slower during the long winter nights in principal, that is why you do it.

It was also 12C here and I took all my Dicksonia antarctica out of the greenhouse to soak up the damp mild weather. The cocoon would be good for a repeat of 2010, not what we have had so far this winter.

Thought so, i'll have to wait for the next cold spell to see some temp gains

[Dave Brown]

If the straw is dry it won't produce any heat, therefore the only gain can be through external air temp rise, or solar gain in the sun. Be prepared that after a cold spell, that the temp inside will remain cooler than outside for maybe a day or so as it will insulate both ways, against cold and warmth

Damp straw will start to decompose so will generate heat. That was why straw was originally used.

[bordersboy]

Have to ask this. What about using a machine washable electric blanket on its lowest setting to get a 3-5ft treefern through a harsh winter ? Seems plausible if not daft ? ive a got a couplle of cheaply bought ones that need using either for this or forcing seedsin the spring

[Blairs]

Have to ask this. What about using a machine washable electric blanket on its lowest setting to get a 3-5ft treefern through a harsh winter ? Seems plausible if not daft ? ive a got a couplle of cheaply bought ones that need using either for this or forcing seedsin the spring

I doubt electric blankets are BS 7671 compliant if used outside, ie you risk electrocuting yourself and more importantly the Fern.

[Dave Brown]

Have to ask this. What about using a machine washable electric blanket on its lowest setting to get a 3-5ft treefern through a harsh winter ? Seems plausible if not daft ? ive a got a couplle of cheaply bought ones that need using either for this or forcing seedsin the spring

I doubt electric blankets are BS 7671 compliant if used outside, ie you risk electrocuting yourself and more importantly the Fern.

Definitely don't use anything that will get to more than +15C or you may force a flush at a time of year when the croziers won't survive.

[cordyman]

If the straw is dry it won't produce any heat, therefore the only gain can be through external air temp rise, or solar gain in the sun. Be prepared that after a cold spell, that the temp inside will remain cooler than outside for maybe a day or so as it will insulate both ways, against cold and warmth

Damp straw will start to decompose so will generate heat. That was why straw was originally used.

there are holes in the bin bags on the sides for ventilation etc, and these also let some rain in, straw is always slightly damp in places, so I guess this could be occurring the years i've tried this.

[Kristen]

I wonder if the wrapping should be:

Wire cage around & over plant
Another wire cylinder around that (larger diameter)
Stuff the gap with straw, put straw over the top, apply a "hat" (bin bag, or fleece bag).

Then any heat from the earth that rises inside inner-cage will be trapped, and warm the plant (providing?? faster temperature recovery during and in immediate aftermath of cold weather)