greenhouses I shade net I hydroponics I aquaponics
Greenhouse Domestic Principles Save Eventual Losses
If you have had re-occurring problems with diseases such as Pythium root rot or insects such as fungus gnats, perhaps your greenhouse and potting areas need a good cleaning. Over the course of growing a crop, infectious microbes accumulate and algae flourish on moist surfaces harbouring fungus gnats.
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ttention to greenhouse Irrigation systems sanitation and disinfecting should also be cleaned are steps that growers can to remove dirt and do between crop cycles. organism build-up Some growers wait until the week (also called biofilm) at before planting a greenhouse before the end of the growing cleaning debris from the previous season. Growers often growing season. It is better to clean use products labelled as early as possible to eliminate overfor cleaning irrigation wintering sites for pests to reduce systems such as sulfuric their populations prior to the spring acid plus a wetting agent growing season. Pests are much easier or sanitizers containing to prevent than to cure. hydrogen peroxide and peroxyacetic acid Although disinfecting should be done to flush out slime and routinely, timing does not always permit debris. this extra effort. Take the opportunity to thoroughly clean greenhouses Benefits to between crop cycles when greenhouses Disinfecting the are totally empty. Greenhouse Cleaning Many pathogens can be managed to Cleaning involves physically removing some degree, using weeds, debris and soil and is the first disinfectants. For step prior to disinfecting a greenhouse example, dust particles and equipment. Some growers use a from fallen growing “Shop Vacuum cleaner� on concrete medium or pots can and covered floors to remove debris. contain bacteria or fungi Greenhouse assistants should wear clean overalls and by Soil and organic residues from plants hygiene conscious. such as Rhizoctonia or and growing media reduce the Pythium. Disinfectants effectiveness of disinfectants. There are are brought into the greenhouse will help control these pathogens. In some cleaners specifically developed for through water supplies and from peat addition to plant pathogens, some greenhouse use to remove algae, dirt in the growing media. Once in a warm, disinfectants are also labelled for and hard water deposits. High pressure moist environment with fertilizer, the managing algae which is a breeding power washing with soap and water is algae flourish. ground for fungus also an option. Soap Proper water management and gnats and shore flies. Cleaning involves is especially useful fertilizing can help to slow algae growth. in removing greasy Managing Algae physically removing Avoid over-watering slow-growing deposits however, Algae are a diverse weeds, debris and soil and plants and especially crops early in the thorough rinsing grouping of plants is the first step prior to production cycle. Allow the surface of is needed because that occur in a the media to dry out between watering. disinfecting a greenhouse soap residues can wide range of Avoid excessive fertilizer runoff and and equipment. inactivate certain environments. Algae puddling water on floors, benches, and disinfectants. growth on walks, greenhouse surfaces. The greenhouse Begin at the top and work your way water pipes, equipment, greenhouse floor should be level and drain properly down. Sweep down walls and internal coverings, on or under benches and in to prevent the pooling of water. structures and clean the floor of soil, pots is an ongoing problem for growers. Algae management involves an organic matter and weeds. Disease Algae form an impermeable layer on the integrated approach involving sanitation, causing organisms can be lodged media surface that prevents wetting of environmental modification and frequent on rafters, window ledges, tops of the media and can clog irrigation and use of disinfectants. overhead piping and folds in plastic. misting lines, and emitters. Greenhouse Benches and Extra care is needed to clean these It is a food source for insect pests and Worktables areas and textured surfaces such as causes slippery walkways that can be a concrete and wood which can hide If possible, use benches made of wire liability risk for workers and customers. many kinds of organisms. that can be easily disinfected. Wood Recent studies have shown that algae
6 Undercover farming I May - June 2019 I Volume 16 No 3
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