Sidewalls: Opened from 10:30 AM to 8:30PM on the 26th, from 11:00AM to 6:20PM on the 27th
Shade Curtains: 25% Opened both days
Irrigation: No action
Climate:
Weather : Sunny and Warm both days Temperature Max: 30.96 at 2:48PM on the 26th, 33.29 at 10:55AM on the 27th Temperature Min: 18.87 at 7:04AM on the 26th, 30.02 at 6:18AM on the 27th Mean : 24.33 on the 26th, 25.71 on the 27th
Humidity Max : 68.3% at 12:01AM on the 26th, 61.2% at 7:21AM on the 27th Humidity Min: 29.7% at 3:53PM on the 26th, 27.9% at 4:20PM on the 27th Mean 49.641% on the 26th, 45.3% on the 27th
The cooler temperatures outside throughout the week, compared to the what we have seen earlier in the season, has helped the mean temperature inside the greenhouse to be around 21 degrees most days, which is good for the poinsettias.
Greenhouse Action:
Sidewalls: Up and fully opened at 8:45AM Closed down at 3:45PM
Shade Curtains: 25% Opened at 3:30PM
Irrigation: Floor watered at 8:45AM
Climate:
Weather : Sunny Morning, Overcast in the afternoon Temperature Max: 27.32 at 10:37AM Temperature Min: 18.54 at 5:47 AM Mean : 21.83
Humidity Max : 73.1% at 8:49PM Humidity Min: 39.7% at 11:15AM Mean 59.60%
We can observe on some of the plants that their roots are starting the reach the edge of the pot, which means we can certainly expect some healthy growth for the production, especially with fertilization starting today.
Cultural Activity:
Today will be the first time the Poinsettias will be watered with fertilizer. The solution used for irrigation at this point is a Calcium nitrate formula (15-0-0-19) applied at a rate of 150ppm (parts per million).
The Calcium solution is ideal at this stage of the production to help with the vegetative growth and health of the Poinsettias.
Greenhouse Action:
Sidewalls: Up and fully opened at 1:00PM Down at bench height at 3:30PM
Shade Curtains: Fully opened
Irrigation: All plants watered with Ca(No3) at 1:15PM
Climate:
Weather : Sunny Temperature Max: 31.57 at 12:51PM Temperature Min: 16.8 at 6:19AM Mean : 22.91
Humidity Max : 66% at 2:14AM Humidity Min: 36.1% at 12:57PM Mean 52.99%
Actions done in the greenhouse can have a very direct consequence on the environment, especially in relation to the climate outside the greenhouse.
A good example of this could be observed today when opening up the sidewalls. The temperature outside today is much cooler than what we have seen in the last few weeks. It is also overcast, which means a higher humidity level in the air.
At 9:30AM the temperature inside the greenhouse was registered at 24.48 degrees, opening up the sidewalls partially (75% opened) dropped the temperature to 20.86 degrees by 10:00AM.
The humidity level in the greenhouse went from 43.5% at 9:30AM to 50.6% at 10:00AM
Greenhouse Actions Sidewalls: 75% opened at 10:00AM Down at 4:00PM
Irrigation: Watered the floor at 10:00AM
Climate: Temperature Max: 25.57 at 3:05PM Temperature Min: 17.64 at 4:40AM Mean : 20.73
Humidity Max : 65% at 10:05PM Humidity Min: 40.1% at 3:10PM Mean: 54.20%
The ability to assess a crop’s needs is one of the most important aspect of production. Different tools can be used to assist you in those assessments, such as climate and temperature monitoring devices, but some decisions need to be made based on direct observation of the plants themselves.
Watering is a highly important cultural practice that requires such observation. It is essential for plants to survive and grow, but if it isn’t manage properly, it can also risks affecting the environment inside the greenhouse, possibly increasing the presence of disease and pest.
Balancing and scheduling your irrigation is key to maintaining an an ideal environment, and to assist them in assessing the watering needs of the crop, the students can use the following table:
To balance out crop’s health, pest and disease control, the totality of plants should be watered when the majority of them are at Level 2.
Observing the plants today, we can see that some of them are at Level 2, but that the majority are still at Level 3 and 4. The students have monitored this and will act accordingly later this week.
Greenhouse Actions Sidewalls: Up and fully opened at 10:00AM Down and fully closed at 4:00PM
Irrigation: None action
Climate: Temperature Max: 28.62 at 4:45PM Temperature Min: 16.14 at 6:30AM Mean : 21.46
Humidity Max : 61.7% at 9.36AM Humidity Min: 37.3% at 4:50PM Mean: 51.45%
