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 high

4000 – 5000 = Full Sun

1800 – 4000 = Dappled Sunlight

1000 – 1800 = Shade

<1000 = Deep Shade

Photoperiodism

Some 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

Ventilation

Positives

• 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

Temperature

Goals

• 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

Temperature

Cooling

• Ventilation

• Fogging

• Shade or Shade Cloth

Temperature

Heating

• 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 Nutrition

Macro Nutrients

• Nitrogen

• Phosphorus

• Potassium

• Calcium

• Magnesium

• Sulfur

Recommended Fertilizers:

Garden Tone / Plant Tone

Fish Fertilizer

Seaweed/Kelp

Worm 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 Propagation

Types

• Budding

• Cutting

• Division

• Grafting

• Layering

• Tissue Culture

Tool’s You May Need

• Sterilizing Solution

• A Very Sharp Knife

• Rooting Solution

Taking Cuttings

Woody 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 Pests

Tools You Will Need:

• Lighted Magnifier

• Sticky Traps

• A Good ID Book

• A Notebook & Pen

• The Internet

• Your Local Extension Agents Phone Number

Common Offenders

Aphids Cabbage Loopers

Common Offenders

Fungus Gnats Crickets

Common Offenders

Whiteflies Thrips

Common Offenders

Rhizoctinia 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 3402

Propagation

• The American Horticultural Society, Plant Propagation; A. Toogood (Editor)

• Seed to Seed; Suzanne Ashworth