Poinsettia Crop Record 2023

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%

Greenhouse Actions
Sidewalls:
Opened at bench height at 10:00AM on the 19th

Climate:
Temperature Max: 27:95 at 2:50PM on the 19th and 27.19 at 12:20PM on the 20th
Temperature Min: 17:87 at 6:06AM on the 19th and 18.16 at 5:58AM on the 20th
Mean: 22.85 on the 19th 22.18 on the 20th

Humidity Max: 63.30% at 6:04AM on the 19th and 57.3% at 11:59PM on the 20th
Humidity Min: 35.3% at 5:12PM on the 19th and 39.1% at 5:08PM on the 20th
Mean: 47.49% on the 19th and 47.68% on the 20th

A greenhouse environment can protect plants from most of the harsh elements of the outside world. It is still extremely important to get informed on the weather forecast when making decisions that will impact the crop’s health and growth, especially when you’ll be away from the greenhouse for a day or two. Expecting a hot day, or a cold night should influence your watering and climate control actions.

Greenhouse Actions
Sidewalls:
Up and fully opened at 8:00AM
Closed at 3:45PM

Irrigation:
All plants watered with clear water at 11:00AM

Climate:
Temperature Max: 29.26 at 4:16PM
Temperature Min: 15.95 at 5:53AM
Mean: 21.30

Humidity Max: 58.2% at 10:32PM 
Humidity Min: 28.8% at 4:16PM
Mean: 43.30%

First signs of watering needs can be observed on some plants, especially those closer to the sidewall, in more direct contact with the wind and sun. Increased aeration and light equals more evaporation and absorption.
Students decided to do spot watering on selected plants to avoid stress.

Greenhouse Actions
Sidewalls:
Up and fully opened at 8:00AM
Down at bench height at 4:00PM

Irrigation:
Spot watering on selected plants

Floor watered at 8:25AM and 2:45PM

Climate:
Temperature Max: 31.11 at 2:09PM
Temperature Min: 18.76 at 11:54PM
Mean : 24.53

Humidity Max : 56.9% at 7.07AM
Humidity Min: 34.7% at 4:35PM
Mean: 47.83%

A couple of days after being potted is when signs of stress of the cultural change will appear more prominently. A certain amount of root damage might trigger the plant into dropping some leaves to better relocate the resources required to maintain it’s overall health. Too much damage to the roots will make it difficult for the plant to absorb water and send it to its extremities, making the plant droopy looking. The presence of Pythium root rot before potting can exacerbate these phenomenon.

It also takes some time for the media to settle in after plants are potted, and we can now notice that some of the plugs might have not been planted deep enough in the pot, or not covered with an adequate amount of soil, which is very much excepted when you do 1200 pots in a few hours.

The students will certainly take the appropriate action, if they decide to do so.

At this point, only a few plants seem to be struggling more dramatically. The vast majority of them seem very satisfied with their new home.

Besides climate control, no actions were required today.

Greenhouse Actions
Sidewalls:
Up and fully opened at 8:00AM
Down at bench height at 4:00PM

Irrigation:
No plants watering required

Floor watered at 9:00AM and 1:00PM

Climate:
Temperature Max: 33.12 at 4:11PM
Temperature Min: 20.67 at 6:24AM
Mean : 26.42

Humidity Max : 65.8% at 7:09AM
Humidity Min: 33% at 5:07PM
Mean 48.97%

So far, all the plants are enjoying their new home, despite the hot temperature of the current heat wave.
Besides raising and lowering the sidewalls, the only action today was getting some water on the greenhouse floor to raise the humidity level.

Controlling humidity level is important to help maintain an ideal environment for healthy growth. During hot summer days, especially during heat waves where the temperature inside the greenhouse can get close to 40 degrees Celsius , it becomes necessary to introduce water in different ways then through regular watering, and so spreading water under the bench where plants are located can help increase the humidity level.

Greenhouse Actions
Sidewalls:
Up and fully opened at 8:00AM
Down at bench height at 4:00PM

Irrigation:
No plants watering required

Floor watered at 9:00AM and 1:00PM

Climate:
Temperature Max: 36.03 at 3:49PM
Temperature Min: 21.52 at 3:57AM
Mean : 27.79

Humidity Max : 58.6% at 4:02AM
Humidity Min: 28.8% at 3:03PM
Mean 44.84%