Growing Crops in the Greenhouse

7/28/2019 Growing Crops in the Greenhouse

1/22


2/22

Key Questions

Why are environmental conditions on greenhouse cropsimportant?

What are the various types of containers used for growinggreenhouse crops?

What are the functions of a good growing media and the

components of soilless media? What are the different types of irrigation systems used in

greenhouse production?

What is the difference between organic and inorganic fertilizersused in greenhouse production?

What are the various methods of applying fertilizers togreenhouse crops?

What are the different methods of pinching greenhouse crops?

How are plant growth regulators used on greenhouse crops?

What are the different practices of greenhouse integrated pest

management?


3/22

Why are environmental conditions on

greenhouse crops important?

Plant height and flowering are 2 commonlycontrolled growth responses controlled by

light Temperature affects photosynthesis and

respiration

Thermotropism- plant growth in response to

temperature Thermoperiodic- plant response to changes

in day and night temperature


4/22

Light Intensity

1. Allow adequate space for plants

2. Clean and maintain greenhouse coverings

3. Add artificial light

4. Reduce light intensity in summer months asneeded


5/22

Light Duration

1. Artificial lights can be used to extend the day

2. Light proof covers are used to reduce light

duration


6/22

Air

Contains oxygen and carbon dioxide which

are essential for respiration and

photosynthesis

Carbon dioxide fertilization uses specialburners to increase CO2 which increases the

rate of photosynthesis

Humidity is water vapor in the air

Increases in humidity improve the growth rate

of plants


7/22

What are the various types of containers

used to grow greenhouse crops?

Rooting containers

Peat pellets or peat pots- compressed peat moss

Inorganic plastic or metal pots

Bedding plant containers Most grown in cell packs that fit into 11 x 21 flats

36 or 48 or 72 cells

Green and Flowering Plant Containers

Standard pots Azalea pots

Bulb pans

Hanging Baskets

Most are plastic 8 x 10 in diameter


8/22

What are the functions of a good growing

media and the components of soilless media?

Media influences the cultural practices used

along with shipping costs and quality of

product


9/22

Functions of the growing media

1. Moisture-holding capacity and aeration

2. Nutrient-holding capacity

3. Plant support

4. Repoducibility and availability


10/22

Components of Growing Media

1. Peat Moss- moisture and nutrients

2. Bark- substitution for peat moss

3. Sand- increases aeration and drainage

4. Perlite- increases aeration and drainage5. Vermiculite- holds nutrients and moisture

Peat-lite mixes- common formulation of soilless

media

Bark-based mixes- commercially prepared bark

based mixes that are substituted for sphagnum

moss.


11/22

What are the different types of irrigation

systems used in greenhouse production?

Hand watering- expensive and boring

Spaghettti tube irrigation

Widely used for potted plants.

Water carried by a polyethylene tube toeach pot

Drip irrigation

Similar to spaghetti tube irrigation, except tubeprovides a steady drip with little runoff. Used

with hanging baskets


12/22

Ebb and flood

Water is pumped into the system at regularintervals, filling benches where containers sitin the water

Capillary mat system

Form of subirrigation in which pots sit onamoist synthetic mat

Overhead irrigation Water is supplied overhead by spray nozzles

(commonly used for bedding plants


13/22

Perimeter irrigation

Used on flowers in beds. PVC pipe is fitted

around perimeter of the bed with emitters that

spray over beds Soaker hose

Used in flower beds


14/22

Watering Practices

1. Drainage- select growing media with proper

drainage

2. Timing- water prior to plant showing signs of

deficiency3. Amount- water thoroughly each time they

are irrigated

4. Application- apply to the growing mediumand not the foliage


15/22

What is the difference between organic and

inorganic fertilizers used in greenhouse

production?

Organic fertilizers

Naturally occurring nutrient materials derived

from plants or animals

Inorganic fertilizers

Synthetic nutrient compounds derived from

mineral salts


16/22

What are the various methods of

applying fertilizers to greenhouse crops?

Two methods

Incorporation

Used when fertilizers is not subject to leaching

Topdressing Used on long-term crops or weeds

Fertilizer proportioner

Used to introduce and meter the concentration

of soluble liquid fertilizer into an irrigation

system


17/22

Fertilizer Rates

Dry formulation is measured by weight

instead of volume

Soluble liquid fertilizers are measured andapplied in parts per million (ppm)


18/22

Monitoring Crop Nutrients

Visual observations

What are signs of deficiencies?

Media Testing

Foliar analysis


19/22

What are the different methods of

pinching greenhouse crops?

Pinching

Simple form of pruning

Used to encourage lateral branching

3 types Roll-out pinch- removal of meristematic tip of

stem

Soft pinch- removal of terminal bud and up to

of stem Hard pinch- removal of terminal bud and more

than of stem


20/22

Why are plant growth regulators used

on greenhouse crops?

Common chemical growth regulators

Auxin- promotes rooting of cuttings

Gibberellic acid- increases flowering onazalea, geranium, and cyclamens

Ethephon- initiates flowering

Height retardant- shortens stem internodes Chemical pinching agent- promotes branching


21/22

What are the different practices of

greenhouse integrated pest management?

1. Pest entry prevention

Check all plants entering the greenhouse for

pests

2. Weed control Kill weeds inside/outside the greenhouse

3. Sanitation practices

Pasteurize growing media and disinfectbenches, tools, and containers


22/22

4. Crop inspection

Scout crop regularly for pests

5. Environmental manipulation

Adjust environment to discourage pestdevelopment

6. Pest eradication

Identify pest and employ biological controlmeasures or use pesticide

Growing Crops in the Greenhouse

Documents

Transcript of Growing Crops in the Greenhouse