Kerosene fumes.

Hi Folks...will the fumes from a small unvented kero heater hurt seedlings in a small hoophouse? I would like to ward off my seedlings getting frosted early this spring in the hoop house if I could. Maybe there would be a better way to do it then with kero heater...would like any ideas...thanks...Franklin
PS...I live in southern maine...zone 5

Franklin I have not found that the kerosene fumes have hurt my daylily and hosta seedlings at all but I have heard they do harm tomatoes and some others. Perhaps if you told us what you grow we could answer more accurately?

Thanks!
MollyD

Hello MollyD...I would have tomato...peppers...eggplant...cuke...and winter and summer squash seedlings for the most part. Franklin

An unvented heater in a tight GH is a little risky. First, if there is an oxygen sensor, it may be constantly shutting off d/t low oxygen. Second, you may have build up of toxic gases, namely ethylene, CO, and sulfur dioxide.

If your GH isn't tight, that is, if there is enough air infiltration, you may not have these problems. If your GH is tight, you may have to deliberately provide an opening for fresh air. There are guidelines for the size of the opening needed (one square inch per 2000BTU).

SB

Franklin I don't think I would use kerosene around food plants. Sounds risky to me plus there is what SB said about air. I have to crack the door when I'm in there or I get a headache. Only good thing is it never goes out at night so I'm getting to sleep through the nights which I wasn't with the propane. I do have a vent in there too so that helps with air.

MollyD