Category: Week 36

Greenhouse Action:

Sidewalls:
Opened from 9:05 to 14:00 on the 9th

Shade Curtains:
Opened at 100%

Irrigation:
Bench 3 watered with Mg at 9:45 on the 9th
Floor watered at 12:15 and 13:55 on the 9th

Climate:

Weather : Mix on the 9th, Mostly cloudy on the 10th
Temperature Max: 32.65 at 14:46 on the 9th, 32.97 at 12:40 on the 10th
Temperature Min: 16.8 at 16:27 on the 9th, 17.46 at 5:00 on the 10th
Mean: 22.47 on the 9th, 22.99 on the 10th

Humidity Max: 65.3% at 23:53 on the 9th, 66% at 5:00 on the 10th
Humidity Min: 32.4% at 16:13 on the 9th, 35.9% at 12:41 on the 10th
Mean: 51.28% on the 9th, 53.74% on the 10th

It’s interesting to observe that some sections of the crops are being watered at different intervals compared to others. Some students are choosing to wait for the majority of their plants to be at level 2 before watering the entirety of them, others prefer doing spot watering on specific plants more frequently.
Balancing the plants water requirement can be challenging. Poinsettias originating from a dry and hot climate means they are adapted to a low amount of water, but they have a tendency to not recover well from being overly stressed. On the other hand, providing water too often means the plant might not push itself to grow bigger longer roots needed to increase it’s overall growing capabilities.

Greenhouse Action:

Sidewalls:
Opened at 8:45, closed at 15:00

Shade Curtains:
Opened at 100%

Irrigation:
Bench 2 watered with Mg at 12:00
Floor watered at 8:45 and 15:00

Climate:

Weather : Sunny
Temperature Max: 31.55 at 16:06
Temperature Min: 16.57 at 5:38
Mean: 21.59

Humidity Max: 64.6% at 22:52
Humidity Min: 35.1% at 16:06
Mean: 53.2%

Greenhouse Action:

Sidewalls:
Down

Shade Curtains:
Opened at 100%

Irrigation:
No action

Climate:

Weather : Sunny
Temperature Max: 31.46 at 14:46
Temperature Min: 17.82 at 5:02
Mean : 22.17

Humidity Max : 71.1% at 00:45
Humidity Min: 35% at 14:42
Mean 57.86%

Maintaining the ideal humidity level with greenhouse crops can be difficult.
We can already notice some humidity related issues with our Poinsettias.

Fungus Gnats and whiteflies can be detrimental to the plants’ health if not controlled appropriately. Whiteflies can visibly damage leaves by sucking sap out of the leaves, and fungus gnats can attack roots, which can be especially problematic with Poinsettias, since they tend to be more easily susceptible to root issues.

Another problem related to high humidity that can be observed is the presence of algae and liverwort appearing on the surface of the media. While not directly detrimental to the health of plants, they can exacerbate issues around irrigation and humidity control.

Greenhouse Action:

Sidewalls:
Down

Shade Curtains:
Opened at 100%

Irrigation:
Spot Watering of all plants with Mg (250ppm) at 14:15

Climate:

Weather : Overcast
Temperature Max: 25.77 at 12:41
Temperature Min: 18.29 at 1:57
Mean : 21.18

Humidity Max : 73.4% at 23:59
Humidity Min: 47.1% at 12:41
Mean 63.27%

The great majority of plants are looking fantastic and seem to be reacting really well to the pinch. We can already see healthy new growth on the poinsettias, and stronger roots starting to appear around the edge of the pots.
Now that the plants have been pinched, the students can start measuring the plants, with the goal of getting them up to somewhere close to 40cm.

The students have also started having the option of using a different fertilizer (18-6-20) with Magnesium applied at 250ppm, that will provide the plants with a balanced nutrients availability and will help keep the foliage healthy throughout the plants production.

Greenhouse Action:

Sidewalls:
Opened at 11:30
Closed at 15:45

Shade Curtains:
Opened at 100% at 9:00

Irrigation:
Spot Watering of Pinks and Whites on bench 3 at 11h30

Floor Watered at 11:00 and 14:15

Climate:

Weather : Mix of sun and clouds
Temperature Max: 27.1 at 16:14
Temperature Min: 18.56 at 6:06
Mean : 21.40

Humidity Max : 67.2% at 6:03
Humidity Min: 37.5% at 16:36
Mean 56.03%

Greenhouse Action:

Sidewalls:
Down all day

Shade Curtains:
Opened at 25%

Irrigation:
No action

Climate:

Weather : Mix of sun and clouds
Temperature Max: 28.09 at 12:27
Temperature Min: 17.52 at 4:42
Mean : 21.69

Humidity Max : 65.9% at 00:56
Humidity Min: 35% at 12:39
Mean 54.55%