General Chat

After buying packets of marigold, asters, tomatoes, strawberries, lobelias etc. and lovingly nurtured them in my new greenhouse, they have all died overnight. The only thing I can think of thats happened is that I had all the sections of the greenhouse sealed with a clear sealent which had acetic acid in it. The place stank of vinegar. Could it have been that? Anyone know? Now I have to start again!

Hi Eileen, Oh dear, did you have a heater on? We had a problem once with a parafin heater. Was it frosty last night ? We've had rain and hail today and possible frost tonight too. I sympathise with your loss of plants, my husband grew some cabbages and they were doing really well until he put them in the garden and a rabbit had them for breakfast. Heather

Hi Heather, No there was no heater , but it wasn't cold here either. They had been in for a week without any problem and as soon as we started sealing the panels, the next morning they had all wilted.

Eileen, I am so sorry you have lost all your plants. It sounds like you went to my school of gardening - I only have to look at a plant for it to die, except the dreaded weeds. I do hope you manage to get some more that will be stronger and bring you many hours of happiness during the summer months. Nes

Eileen, Acetic acid is a herbicide but I wouldn't have thought the vapours alone would kill them. How did the foliage look? Acetic acid initially browns the foliage and later will turn it blackened and water-soaked. Crista

Crista the plants all went brown round the edges and withered. The stems were all discoloured as well.

Eileen, Just found an article that mentions acetic acid vapour will damage plants so that must be it. Crista

Thanks Crista. Now I know. If only I had it all done BEFORE I put the plants in. You live and learn I suppose. Thanks again.