Sprouting into Spring

Preparing for the Next Growing Season

One of the benefits of the winter or non-growing season is the ability for a grower to focus on the things their operation needs in order to do even better than the last growing season. Improvements to the growing facility, soil amendments, restocking, reorganizing, and equipment upgrades are some of the items of business a grower can focus on in the winter months. All components of a grower’s plant environment whether it is a commercial nursery, or a backyard greenhouse, is just as important as selecting the right variety of plants.

Ventilation: The Nice Breeze Through a Greenhouse

One of the top causes of fungal disease in a greenhouse is the lack of proper ventilation. The lack of circulating fresh air, leads to a stuffy greenhouse and fungi thrive in these stuffy conditions to grow and spread. An easy fix to this is adding in more openings throughout the growing area through ventilation. Fans are a simple alternative to change the airflow in a greenhouse.

Fans such as the Schaefer Ventilation Versa-Kool Deep Guard Circulation Fan can be easily installed and drastically improve the circulation and overall air quality in a greenhouse. It is important to read specific manufacture guidelines for proper spacing of fans for optimum functionality in the greenhouse. Along with ventilation improvements, the installation of automation in a greenhouse cuts down on labor and allows a grower to focus on other things.

By using an automatic temperature thermostat in a growing area connected to the ventilation system, the optimum temperature can be maintained easily allowing for increased yields and decreased plant stress. Some thermostats can be connected through wi-fi and a mobile app such as the Anden Colored Touchscreen Wi-Fi part IAQ Thermostat. These can allow a grower to control the growing environment directly from anywhere and not just in the growing area.

Irrigation and Water Needs:

Another aspect that is key in proper plant growth is adequate water. Not only is running water important, but also water in the air through humidity. Irrigation and humidity control will allow plants to grow with sufficient water for their needs. Using tools to assist in the watering process saves time and money as it is more efficient and conserves water through controlled applications. Increased humidity through foggers integrated into the ventilation system can improve plant health on hot summer days by reducing water stress. These foggers can be manually turned on and left to run for a specific amount of time. A grower has another option that is less intensive.

Greenhouse supply companies now offer an automated option for growers such as an Autofogger. These machines produce a light water vapor that increases the humidity of a growing area. When humidity is higher, water loss is lowered. The use of automatic foggers also lessens the amount of work needed by the grower to produce plants and other materials. By lessening this work, a grower can then turn their focus to other matters.  

Growing Supplies

Other than reorganizing in a commercial nursery or commercial greenhouse, a grower needs to be aware of the supplies to produce the products being grown. Lacking in a material puts strain on timelines and puts some plans on hold until an order comes in. It is because of this that a grower should plan and order ahead before a growing season officially starts.

Some items that are important in a commercial greenhouse or nursery is growing media, supplements, insect/ pest control, and fungi/disease control. Ordering supplies to cover these needs will ensure that a grower is ready for almost anything.

One of the top supplies a grower needs is a growing medium. Whether a grower is conventionally growing crops or growing through hydroponics, plants need a medium to be sustained in. Riococo allows a grower to propagate crops easily and sustainably. Other growing mediums such as seed starter bags and sanitized soilless media can also be used. In a hydroponic commercial growing operation, growers typically need wool blocks, slabs, and more to grow their crops.

Stone wool is a comparable alternative to conventional growing media due to pH balancing and its ease to work with. Stocking up on growing supplies for hydroponics such as stone wool is essential in guaranteeing a smoother grow season.

Plant Nutrients

A grower can start with the perfect seedlings and growing area, however, if the plants lack in even the smallest of minerals they will still not grow to their full potential. Most know of Potassium, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous as needed minerals for plant growth. There are 16 total minerals and nutrients needed by plants during their lifetime in varying levels. Stocking up on these nutrient additives and amendments will ensure a plant will get their nutritional needs met in a timely manner.

Nutrient deficiencies always lead to lowered growth rates and yields. MORR Inc. is a nursery supply store in California that sells nutrient supplements to meet the needs of every type of grower from commercial nursery, commercial greenhouse, and other grower types. Top manufacturers such as Haifa Chemicals provide the additives to solve nutritional needs. As a reminder, even if a micro-nutrient is lacking, a plant will not grow to its full potential. Meeting these needs ensures proper growth and yields.

Pest and Disease Control

After the needs of the greenhouse are met for organization, ventilation, and supplies for the plants, it is important to be prepared for the inevitable pests that find their way into greenhouses. With pests, there also comes disease. Being prepared for an infestation and disease will ensure prompt handling before it gets out of hand. Similar to keeping a first aid kit in the case of emergencies, a grower should have a plant first aid kit for pests and disease. Growers can purchase from a horticulture supply store finding quality products to stock up on. Many growers aim towards Biosafe Systems as their go to for trusted pest and disease control in their greenhouses.

Being prepared for the coming growing season not only allows the grower in the commercial greenhouse or nursery to save time and money, but also allows for the season to go as smoothly as possible. MORR Inc. provides growers from all corners of the industry with top products and supplies that are trusted. We are there to answer questions and offer suggestions to meet your growing needs. Farmers count on us for the highest quality products, knowledgeable staff, and the guaranteed logistical support they need to succeed in large-scale indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse agricultural operations. Be sure to check out our website for top industry standard products and our many social media outlets to stay up to date on new products and deals!