Greenhouse Grow HowCreated by: Brigitte Zettl

Introductions• Why are you here?• What are you growing?• When are you growing it?

• An earlier season• Efficient use of time• More control

Why Start Plants in a Greenhouse?

Let’s Start With Basics…How Do We Enhance This Effect?• Choice of flooring• Choice of covering• Positioning of the

structure

Light

What Kind of Structure is Right for You?

www.hobby-greenhouse.com

Something a Bit Larger Perhaps?

Our Gutter-Connected Raised Quonsets

State of the Art Greenhouse Technology

Creating the Perfect Environment

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTOL

TEMPERATURE

LIGHTAIR

Light Intensity• Different plants require various

intensities• Too much light causes sunscald• Too little light will stunt growth

and prevent blooming• Light levels are expressed in

footcandles (fc)>5000 = Very high4000 – 5000 = Full Sun1800 – 4000 = Dappled Sunlight1000 – 1800 = Shade<1000 = Deep Shade

PhotoperiodismSome species are very affected by day length• Long Day - 14-18 hours

(lettuce, beets)• Short Day – 12 hours or

> (cucumbers, some tomatoes)

• Day Neutral – any hours (kale, cabbage)

Airflow

Natural Ventilation

Forced Air Ventilation

VentilationPositives

• Releases moisture in the air

• Replenishes CO2 • Reduces disease

Negatives

• Increases pest exposure

• Increases time/money spent

• Can expose plants to cold temperatures by accident

TemperatureGoals• 55-80 degrees F. during the growing season• Coldest temperature during the couple hours

around sunrise• In winter 38 F. is enough for cool season crops

and perennials

TemperatureCooling• Ventilation• Fogging• Shade or Shade Cloth

TemperatureHeating• Insulation• Heat Sinks• Decomposing Materials• Radiant Heat• Natural Gas

Giving Plants What They Need

CULTURE

CONTAINERS &

MEDIA

FERTILIZERIRRIGATION

What You’re Growing In…Soiless Mix

Considerations:• Aggregate Size• Microbial Content• Nutrient Content• pH Appropriate• Proper Mixing

Procedure

Containers

• Right Size Right Plant!• Reuse = Sterilize!– Vinegar– 10% Bleach– Hydrogen Peroxide– Ethanol

Plant NutritionMacro Nutrients• Nitrogen• Phosphorus• Potassium• Calcium• Magnesium• Sulfur

Recommended Fertilizers:Garden Tone / Plant ToneFish FertilizerSeaweed/KelpWorm Castings

Irrigation• Automated • Hand Watering• Watch the edges!• Seeds need special

attention!

Propagation

Keeping Records

Sexual Propagation Choosing your seed…• Heirloom vs. Hybrid

(F1)• Organic vs.

Conventional

What Your Seed Likes…• Cool, dry conditions

when the embryo is sleeping

• Moist, warm, humid conditions once the embryo has been awakened

DO NOT LET YOUR SEED DRY OUT EVER ONCE YOU HAVE GOTTEN IT WET!!!

Our Germination Chamber

Asexual PropagationTypes• Budding • Cutting • Division • Grafting • Layering• Tissue Culture

Tool’s You May Need

• Sterilizing Solution• A Very Sharp Knife• Rooting Solution

Taking CuttingsWoody Plants

• Softwood (Spring)• Semi-Ripe (Summer &

Fall)• Hardwood (Winter)

Herbaceous Plants

• Whole leaf (succulents)• Part Leaf (begonia)• Leaf-Bud • Root/Tuber

Benches

Integrated Pest Management• Set Thresholds• Monitor & Identify

Pests• Prevention • Control• Evaluation - Assess• Implementation – be

Proactive!

Integrated Pest Management

Monitoring for Greenhouse PestsTools You Will Need:• Lighted Magnifier• Sticky Traps• A Good ID Book• A Notebook & Pen• The Internet• Your Local Extension

Agents Phone Number

Common OffendersAphids Cabbage Loopers

Common OffendersFungus Gnats Crickets

Common OffendersWhiteflies Thrips

Common OffendersRhizoctinia Downy Mildew

Common OffendersRoot/Crown Rot Phytopthora

Bacterial Leaf Spot (Septoria)

Recommended ReadingI.P.M.• What’s Wrong With My Plant? (And How Do I Fix It?); D.

Deardorff & Kathryn Wadsworth• Integrated Pest Management for Floriculture and

Nurseries; UC Davis Publication 3402Propagation• The American Horticultural Society, Plant Propagation; A.

Toogood (Editor)• Seed to Seed; Suzanne Ashworth