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sunframe. what is it? its RHS level 3 exam qu but cant find definition?

Last post 21-12-2008 11:01 PM by bogweevil. 6 replies.

• 20/12/2008 02:08 PM
  julie_poo Location: cheshire Joined on: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 9	Reply | Contact sunframe. what is it?  its RHS level 3 exam qu but cant find definition? anyone have any ides? J '' Those who ask a lot of questions may seem stupid, but those who don't ask questions stay stupid ''

• 20/12/2008 07:23 PM

  In reply to

  Josh Location: Flintshire Joined on: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 3

  Reply | Contact  I have not heard the term "sunframe". However in my Level 3 Course (completed February 2008) we did cover "sun tunnels". These are low polyethylene tunnels used for propagation of softwood cuttings and other easy material. This is what our lecturer handed out to us:   http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bdp2J-9E2EkC&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=plant+propagation+sun+tunnel&source=web&ots=iuwSWWgjVV&sig=VmqNJ-PorvJBsOGkwOgwbcvv1-8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result  I hope this helps   CB

• 20/12/2008 11:39 PM

  In reply to

  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,043

  Reply | Contact I can find no reference in my extensive library, and my memory is deeply fallible, but my recollection is that 'sun frames' are cold frames that are double glazed by fixing polythene on the inside so that, just like 'sun tunnels', the heat of the sun generates a low-cost, warmish humid environment to root a wide range of semi-ripe cuttings but especially Leyland cypress. Like sun tunnels these were popular when labour was cheap and plentiful 30 years ago, but nowadays serious commercial producers use walk-in structures for maximum productivity. Still useful for amateurs and entry-level professionals though. Boggy Beware the bat-eared bogweevil

• 21/12/2008 06:39 AM

  In reply to

  julie_poo Location: cheshire Joined on: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 9

  Reply | Contact ace. thanks for that. what a friendly bunch   - ive done my thing by answering some queries from other guys. i think this site/forum will be a daily visit for me from now on.       as an aside  Dear examiners  ..Im a little dissapointed that the sun frame has appeared a few times over the last couple of years yet there is no real reference for it on the site or in any RHS books - shouldnt this mean it should be better documented or its really a outdated or innapropriate question for current exams????   Oh and by the way on rhs L3 paper examiners answers the sunframe question - feedback is missing !  a correction here would be cool! '' Those who ask a lot of questions may seem stupid, but those who don't ask questions stay stupid ''

• 21/12/2008 10:42 AM	In reply to
  Josh Location: Flintshire Joined on: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 3	Reply | Contact Just a thought: If you are a member of the RHS, why don't you e-mail a query to the Members' Advisory Service ?  I have done this a few times, and they have given really helpful answers to my questions.   Josh

• 21/12/2008 02:29 PM

  In reply to

  Faraway Location: Joined on: 15 Oct 2007 Posts: 33

  Reply | Contact The RHS Illustrated Dictionary of Gardening (2005) defines a sun frame on page 767 as "a simply constructed, temporary wooden frame covering a prepared cutting bed; traditionally about 30cm (12in) high at the back and 23cm (9in) high at the front; enclosed by glazed or plastic-clad frame lights, and shaded from bright sunlight.  Of particular use in propagating plants from softwood cuttings".

• 21/12/2008 11:01 PM	In reply to
  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,043	Reply | Contact Thanks for that - I looked in the first edition, although the second is on the shelf next to it...I know the horticultural author and the information can be relied upon. Boggy Beware the bat-eared bogweevil