Getting Off to a Great Start
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Dr. Todd Cavins, Ball Seed Technical Services - Proper care & handling of young plants - specifically plugs and liners. Presentation mentioned in STEM: Insider tips for greenhouse pros Episode 2
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Getting Off to a Great Start
- 1. A GOOD START! CARE AND HANDLING OF PLUGS AND ROOTED LINERS
- 2. WHY PLUGS AND ROOTED LINERS • THE INITIAL ~6 WEEKS OF A PLANTS (FROM SEED OR URC) LIFE IS DEMANDING AND COSTLY • PRECISION CONTROL IS NEEDED FOR GERMINATION AND ROOTING • BEYOND THE CONVENTIONAL GREENHOUSE • HIGH PLANT DENSITIES CREATE A DIFFICULT ENVIRONMENT TO CONTROL DISEASE AND PESTS • PROBABLY AS MANY IF NOT MORE PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS OCCURRING IN WEEK 1-6 AS THEY DO THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE CROP CYCLE
- 5. WHY PLUGS AND ROOTED LINERS • SPACING/STAGING PRODUCTION • CUSTOMER SERVICE • A THIRD PARTY OFTEN HAS MORE INCENTIVE AND IS HYPER AWARE OF YOUR CROP TIMING NEEDS • A THIRD PARTY IS MORE LIKELY TO ADHERE TO HIGHER QUALITY STANDARDS
- 6. PREPARING TO RECEIVE YOUR PLUGS AND ROOTED LINERS • KNOW THE ARRIVAL DATE • HAVE POTS, SOIL, AND TAGS ON-HAND • SANITATION – RECEIVING AREA, POTTING AREA, CARTS, AND GREENHOUSE AREA SHOULD BE PREPPED • GREENHOUSE ENVIRONMENTAL CHECK SHOULD BE PERFORMED • IRRIGATION, HEATERS, VENTS, HAF FANS, ETC.
- 7. PREPARING TO RECEIVE YOUR PLUGS AND ROOTED LINERS
- 8. RECEIVING • SAFELY TRANSPORT BOXES/CARTS INSIDE • PREVENT HARSH WEATHER CONTACT • GET THEM OUT OF THE BOX • NO PLACE FOR A PLUG/OR LINER • DARK, TEMPERATURE CONTROL, HUMIDITY • GET THEM OFF THE CART • DARK, HARD TO WATER • INSPECT, QUARANTINE, REPORT PROBLEMS
- 10. TRANSITIONING/ACCLIMATING THE PLUG • TIME OF YEAR AND WEATHER CONDITIONS GREATLY AFFECT THIS • SHIPPING/TRUCKING IS ESSENTIALLY FORM OF PLUG STORAGE • DARK, COOL • DRAMATIC SHIFTS IN LIGHT AND TEMPERATURE ARE NOT GOOD • SHADED GREENHOUSE WITH COOL TEMPS
- 12. TRANSITIONING/ACCLIMATING THE PLUG • REHYDRATE THE PLUGS/LINER • CLEAR WATER IS FINE* OR A VERY LIGHT FEED • EXCEPTION IS IF PLANT IS OVERLY STRESS, DRIED OUT THEN CLEAR WATER ONLY
- 13. TRANSITIONING/ACCLIMATING THE PLUG • TIME TO FUNGICIDE! • TREATMENT PRIOR TO TRANSPLANT IS AN ECONOMICAL AND EFFECTIVE MEANS TO PROTECT THE PLANTS FOR UP TO 4 WEEKS AFTER TRANSPLANT
- 14. TRANSITIONING/ACCLIMATING THE PLUG • TIME TO FUNGICIDE! • MAKE SURE TRAYS ARE SLIGHTLY MOIST • CHECK WITH YOUR SUPPLIER ON LAST CHEMICAL APPLICATION IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT RESISTANCE/ROTATION • CONSIDER THIS STRATEGY FOR • PANSIES • CALIBRACHOA • IMPATIENS • PLUGS/LINERS GOING INTO LARGE CONTAINERS
- 15. WHERE TO HOLD THE PLUGS/LINERS • IDEALLY – TRANSPLANT WITHIN 24 AND NOT MORE THAN 72 HRS. • COOLER • OPTION WHEN PLUGS NEED TO BE HELD FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO WEEKS AND GROWTH IS NOT DESIRED • 45O F FOR MOST CROPS WITH LIGHT • SOME CROPS CAN GO MUCH LONGER WHEN COOLER • NEW GUINEA IMPATIENS AND CELOSIA DO NOT STORE WELL • COLD, SHADED GREENHOUSE • 55O F
- 16. TRANSPLANTING • NEW POTTING MIX AND CONTAINER! • POTTING SOIL SHOULD BE MOIST • LEVEL 2-3 • PLANT/DIBBLE APPROPRIATE DEPTH • MIDDLE OF CONTAINER • MATCH THE TOP OF THE POTTING MIX TO TOP OF MIX ON THE PLUG • DEEP PLANTING = MORE DISEASE PROBLEMS • SHALLOW PLANTING = ROOT DRY DOWN
- 17. TRANSPLANTING • GRADE AND INSPECT • USE SOME TYPE OF PLUG EXTRACTOR • REDUCES PLANT DAMAGE • PUNCH N GRO • DOWELL ROD PLATE • EXTRACT JUST ENOUGH • MAKE GOOD ROOT TO POTTING MIX CONTACT • AIR GAPS WILL DRY DOWN ROOTS
- 18. TRANSPLANTING • WATER IN WITH FEED! • 100-150 FOR MOST CROPS • SOIL STARTER CHARGES ARE NICE, BUT NOT ENOUGH • KEEP TRACK OF TAG • TRACEABILITY IS IMPORTANT • THINK ABOUT GREENHOUSE PLACEMENT • GROUP CROPS • FEED, PH, TEMPERATURE • HOT OR COLD SPOTS IN THE GREENHOUSE?