wiltered tomato plant

[sall2009]

I bought a mini pvc covered greenhouse and moved some plants in it this morning. I looked now after work and my tomato plant has wiltered badly and the pvc was steamed up. Was I suppose to leave the zip open and should I make some holes in the pvc?

Any ideas if the plant will survive?

[VirginVegGrower]

No on making holes, maybe on opening a zip. Water and ventilate. Mine are zipped but have been fine. You must have it well sheltered. You may find your tomatoes fry in it come Summer as today was warm but not hot and I'm not far from you!

[sall2009]

But doesn't it need to be under full sun. I thought tomatoes need full sun.

[taff]

most of them do, but being in full sun without watering regularly will make them wilt, they can't sweat and drink the same amount at a time.
and there's a difference between full sun, and boiling to death

[VirginVegGrower]

Quite! I would say open up your tent by day if the weather dictates. You need to watch the end of each evening's news! Close up at tea time - early evening.

[mrbadexample]

What you built was a sauna.

[Two_Sheds]

If your weather is hot & dry like mine, you should take the plastic off totally

[VirginVegGrower]

Doesit have a roll up and tie it front? If so, use that.

[sall2009]

I left it closed due to the winds we getting. Would the plant survive? It has flowered and around 12 inches high.

[VirginVegGrower]

It sounds as though it's sheltered owing to the heat it's had. I would tie it up if it was me. Is it staked? You have holes at the top of the tent if it is like mine - these are holes for bamboo canes.

[zazen999]

Can you move it back out until the winds die down a bit?

[sall2009]

I moved it indoor yesterday and it has recovered now. I'm moving it in a bigger pot today and going to leave it out in the garden.

So would tomato plants be ok in full sun without being covered at all. My other three seem to be ok and they get the sun most of the day.

VirginVegGrower: No there are no holes in the tent. Should I make some?

[King Carrot]

One way I vent blowaways when it's really windy (like its been pretty much for 3 weeks here with no end in sight) is to undo one zip or both zips if its really sunny and put a concrete block on the door flap to stop it blowing about and slapping the plants inside.

I wouldn’t make holes in your plastic on purpose as that might create problems with the foliage getting wet and becoming susceptible to blight later on in the summer. If your blowaway is made of the same green mesh with clear plastic squares as mine you’ll soon have all the ventilation you need when the clear plastic squares start falling out!