Seedling susceptibility to various climate conditions is important to growers, especially those wanting to venture into new crops. We all know that microclimate is crucial to seedling growth and time to maturity. I think climate is one of the most important aspects that has to be considered when deciding to grow your own seedlings or [...]
Nutrient conditioning is the process of managing the nutrient content of seedlings in the nursery for optimal growth when they are transplanted. This sounds easy, but good growers achieve higher yields with the same variety because they understand how to manage it correctly. We all know that plants need adequate levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, [...]
This is all about getting higher yields early in the season when you can get higher prices. It's about going into the market with a bigger bang and reaping those higher prices. It does not apply during the growing season, because there are other economic factors involved. Remember, bigger plugs means less space in the [...]
Always transplant seedlings that are in good condition. Rather discard the extra small seedlings and give them a chance to grow in the nursery. They can be used as replacements if some of the other seedlings die off. TIP: Use the strongest seedlings in the middle of the greenhouse since the microclimate is best suited [...]
Not all pesticides and fungicides are equal. They come in a variety of formulations and the seedling grower must know when and where to use them for optimal results. Although seedlings grow for a limited time in a nursery, pest and disease management is crucial to healthy seedlings and plants. If considerable effort has been [...]
Seed treatments are useful for many vegetable crops for the prevention of damping-off and some other root diseases, as well as eliminating certain diseases carried on the seed itself. Seed treatment is not recommended for the inexperienced to used this type of method. It is easier to ask the seed supplier if the seed has been [...]
A clean nursery is the first vital step towards producing a healthy crop and forms part of a good seedling disease management program. Not only must the seed be disease free, but the environment in which the seedling will germinate and grow for 4-6 weeks, should also be free of diseases. The first step in [...]
Seedlings must be irrigated and fertigated with micro sprinklers which are linked to a timer. A simple swimming pool timer will suffice. In arid conditions the seedlings should be irrigated as listed in the table below. Fertilizers should only be applied in the second and third week of growth. Most seedlings should be ready for [...]
Plants must be acclimatized to the shock and stress of transplanting into the greenhouse by slowly removing the optimum growing conditions of the nursery. This is accomplished by a process known as “hardening-off”. To harden off seedlings, commercial growers reduce irrigation frequency lower temperatures and stop applying any fertilizers to the seedlings. Care must be taken to [...]
