GreenhouseCropManagement(PowerPoint)-UniversityofFlorida.pptVIP

* * * * * Greenhouse Crop Management Sheila Dunning Commercial Horticulture Production Needs Media Irrigation Fertilization Pest Management Best Management Practices Soilless Media Good water retention, yet well drained Uniform enough to allow for standardized fertilization and irrigation Free from harmful pathogens, insects, nematodes and weeds Low in salts, but good exchange capacity Biologically and chemically stable Media Factors Solids Pore Space Drainage Water Holding Capacity pH Air, Water and Media Pore space Large pores allow air spaces to be filled with water Most mixes contain 10%-30% air following irrigation Compaction of soil reduces large pores Less available water and air Decreases drainage Drainage Small pores hold water longer Shorter columns of media hold water longer, drain more slowly and contain less air (Azalea vs. standard style pots) Water holding capacity Soilless mix should hold 60%-70% water after drainage Media Components Sphagnum moss Dehydrated remains of acid-bog plants Absorbs 10-20X its weight in water Bark Bi-product of pulp, paper and plywood industries Requires N supplements due to depletion during decomposition Sand Medium and course particles provide drainage Inexpensive, but heavy Perlite Puffed volcanic mineral Increases aeration and drainage Vermiculite Baked mineral Improves water holding capacity exchange capacity Commonly Used Mixtures 2:1:1 Peat, Perlite, Vermiculite 2:1:1 Peat, Bark, Sand 2:1:1 Peat, Bark, Perlite 3:1:1 Peat, Perlite, Vermiculite 3:1:1 Peat, Bark, Sand pH Affected by: Media components Irrigation water quality Fertilizers with nitrates Influences availability of nutrients Measurements should be taken when soil is at maximum water capacity Optimum – 5.2 -5.5 Most common pH buffer 2-8 pounds of dolomitic lime/ cubic yard of media Container Media Test IFAS Form 2674 pH, EC Nitrate, Nitrite, Pho