Categories
Greenhouse News

Plants Mysteriously Deforming Update

Hormone Damage Suspected

 

Thanks to all that responded to the last issues article regarding the tomato plants that had been ‘mysteriously deforming’.  Below is the first paragraph from the article.

 

Last week I was called to a property, in West Auckland, to take a look at tomato plants that were mysteriously suffering from deformities.  There were different symptoms presenting, but with all the plants the end result was termination of plant growth.  The leaves on some plants had become variegated and very spikey looking (hormone damage type look).  On other plants, the flowers on the truss, looked to have gone white at the ends (potential phytotoxic damage from spraying or root drench) and other plants stopped setting and had the appearance of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) vectored from the TPP (Tomato Potato Psyllid).  The root systems looked fairly constant, there was not any indication that Pythium or root issues were the cause of the deformity.  The plant was only 8-10 weeks old.

After several conversations, and with the help of another industry supplier, I now believe this is possibly damage caused from residual effects of weed killer.  Something I failed to notice on inspection was the weeds growing in the holes, in the weed-mat, were also showing symptoms of hormone damage.  It is possible that the grower had sprayed the weeds inside the greenhouse, when it was empty, but whatever product used has remained inactive in the exposed soil.  Even after several months, and no signs of plant or leaf distortion evident in the newly planted crop, that when the natural conditions improved the chemical became active and hence the damage.

Regrettably, for this grower concerned, there is no miracle cure.  The crop will continue to show damage or plants will terminate until the entire crop is removed.  The first thing I would suggest is talk to whoever supplied the weed killer, for their recommendation of how to prevent the next crop from having similar issues.  The second is to replace the weed-mat and perhaps use an impermeable plastic to cover the greenhouse floor.

 

I would also like to acknowledge the e-mail I received from Hill Laboratories, as I had in the article listed Clos bacterium that psyllids carry as a possible cause for the plant and leaf deformity:

Hill Laboratories, have a test to determine if the psyllids present on the plants are carrying the CLos bacterium.  From your article it looks like you are wanting to have a diagnostic test for the plant.  The test we developed is to determine if the psyllids are infected rather than the plant.  From talking to experts at Plant & Food who are looking at whether plants (potatoes, tomatoes and other Solanum species) are infected with CLos it seems that the infection is not systemic and it is often hard to get the infected tissue for testing.  The area that looks like it is infected may not actually be where the infection is.  Given this uncertainly around the results in plant tissue we have not developed a rapid accurate test for the plant and hence our test is psyllid based.  We would be more than happy to help you determine if you have 'hot' psyllids (psyllids carrying CLos).  Psyllids can be sent to us for testing either individually or in a composite of up to 10 individuals.  if you would like more information how best to collect and store the psyliid for transport to the lab and to talk you through what is involved in the testing.

If you are interested in this test please contact Hill Laboratories.

 

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

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Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Categories
Greenhouse News

Bee Pollination An Issue

Beeeeeee vigilant

 

I wrote a brief article in February regarding bumble bees and pollination, a statement I made was: “When spring arrived, and there were tastier treats outside for my hard-working bumble bees, like naughty children they would regularly be seen flying out of the vents to the lolly shop (orchard) next door!  Therefore, I would have trouble with a consistent set.”

Recently I have seen, and heard reports, that tomato setting has not been as great as it should be.  There is certainly merit to my tongue and cheek advice from February but as with most things there are more technical reasons why the bees might be struggling to pollinate the flowers. 

One crop, I recently visited, the plants were vegetative and quality of the flower was average. However, a new hive of bees had pollinated a good proportion, but often a large vegetative leaf was covering the truss, which made it difficult for the bee to navigate to the flower.  What was noticeable was that when a new hive and good bee pressure had been present the setting was ok, but as soon as the hive was over three weeks in age, the population of bumble bees had severely diminished.  I think it’s a combination of the bumble bees not being overly interested in the flowers, of the tomatoes, and that they venture outside to tastier treats, not always returning safely to their hives inside the greenhouse.

For years, and at this time of the year, I would observe bees coming and going from my greenhouse, if it was a cool night and I was preparing for a ‘pre-night chilling period’ the vents would close to maintain a warm greenhouse temperature in the late afternoon therefore trapping the bees outside. The bees would furiously be trying to find an opening to the greenhouse and at sunset (when the vents would open) some would fly back into the greenhouse but I am sure this is when some of the bees would perish.  

One grower, who had terrible trouble with consistent pollination, installed automatic door openers on the bee hives. Opening them in the morning and closing them at midday.  The reasons for this are that in the early morning period the vents were not open as much, and the theory was this is the best time of the day to get the bees to pollinate.  By restricting exiting the hive at midday, you would restrict the exodus of bees outside, therefore you would not loose as many as described could happen when you are using pre-night strategies at this particular time of the season.   

Growing a cocktail truss tomato variety, it was imperative for me to maintain 8 flowers on every truss to quickly set in formation as fast as possible.  I found the best solution to my situation, in October and November, was to bite the bullet and double my order of bumble bees, receiving hives either every week or,  if setting was sufficient, every two weeks.  This was the only way I could ensure that I could maintain a consistent fruit set.

 A good indication, for growers, is the formation, or the order the fruit set on the truss.  The first flower on the truss, should be set first and therefore this fruit will appear first and be the largest until the next fruits are fully mature.  If you find, for example the third flower, now fruit, is larger than the first and second flowers/fruit that appeared on the truss, you have either had a false set or no set at all on the two first flowers. If you have the first three flowers pollinated well and then nothing after that it could well be you just don’t have a hive that is working 100% anymore.  Every variety is different but only a certain amount of flowers should be open at certain times. If you are seeing more than normal amounts of flowers open, check the marking because unless it is marked, the flower will be delayed in closing back up, which is another very good indication that the bees may not have visited and pollinated the flower.  Keep a vigilant eye on the marking, if you cannot see even a faint mark, then I would not hesitate to order new hives if they are available.  Having a poor-quality set, especially at this time of year, is a disaster.  Prices have dropped as volumes have increased, therefore it is very important to make sure the flowers are properly pollinated.

This photo illustrates, the first flower with no set, the second a slow, delayed or false set, the third ok, the fourth flower slightly delayed, the fifth no set and the sixth fruit is the best fruit set of all.

 

The pollination/set on the first three flowers has been good on this truss.  The first fruit is a king fruit, but the next two are very good.  One reason I believe the next four flowers have not been pollinated is due to a lack of bees’ visiting the flowers.

 

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

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Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Categories
Greenhouse News

Plants Mysteriously Deforming

Where do I advise the grower to get this tested?

 

Last week I was called to a property, in West Auckland, to take a look at tomato plants that were mysteriously suffering from deformities.  There were different symptoms presenting, but with all the plants the end result was termination of plant growth.  The leaves on some plants had become variegated and very spikey looking (hormone damage type look).  On other plants, the flowers on the truss, looked to have gone white at the ends (potential phytotoxic damage from spraying or root drench) and other plants stopped setting and had the appearance of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) vectored from the TPP (Tomato Potato Psyllid).  The root systems looked fairly constant, there was not any indication that Pythium or root issues were the cause of the deformity.  The plant was only 8-10 weeks old.

I am still not sure what the deformity has been caused by but I am sure I have seen something similar before.   It does appear a bit different than CLso, in that when you see plants infected by psyllids they stop setting fruit and the head goes yellow but it keeps growing vertically.  This issue has seen the plants growth rate almost stop, see the pictures below, the leaf stunts and curls up.  With hormone damage I’ve witnessed the leaf turning almost thistle like and odd shape fruit occurring, if the ‘hit’ of hormone is not that strong the plants will keep growing and sometimes they will grow through it.  This crop had random areas with this mystery deformity and I cannot totally dismiss hormone but I would think you would see more of a pattern.

I always ask lots of questions, to try and eliminate possible grower error.  In one irrigation valve there were more plants effected than the valve alongside, so I think it could have potentially been a root treatment, but I can not say that with certainty.

What I recommend is that the grower get the plant tested, sent to a laboratory to be examined by a plant pathologist expert.  So where do I recommend to get plants tested?  Recently it has become apparent that confidence in plant pathology testing in New Zealand is lacking, and to receive full in depth results companies prefer to send plants to Holland for testing.  For years there was a particular plant pathologist here in New Zealand, he was fantastic at plant diagnosis, unfortunately he is no longer with us.  For smaller growers the cost to send plants overseas is quite onerous and there is a certain amount of red tape to go through.  I do understand there are places you can send plants here but I do ask myself why are growers sending plants overseas?

If there is a laboratory here in New Zealand I’m confident they could help diagnose this problem. I would really like to know about them so I can advise growers, pass on their contact details and even suggest they advertise on the grower2grower site!!  It is a frustration of mine to advise growers to send plants half way around the world.  It is not practical and can be very expensive and difficult to do so.

I appreciate your comments and help.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Categories
Industry Profile

“Quantity is Important but Quality is Paramount”

Rose and Grant Fannin 27 years of experience

It is always interesting to find out how growers first became involved in growing, especially when it has not been passed down through the generations.  In 1989 while working for a lady, cleaning her house, Rose was asked if she could also help out in the small greenhouse growing tomatoes.  Rose was given a five-minute crash course in tying up tomatoes, left to it, and nearly thirty years later her, and husband Grant, are two of the longest serving growers in our community. 

Around the same time Rose met Grant through a now ex-tomato grower. Grant was also from a non-growing background, but his brother was working for a grower in Drury, he convinced Grant to come and see what it was like.  As they were both working in the greenhouse industry and their relationship blossomed, they decided to start their own business.  They leased their first greenhouse together in 1992 growing 1800 m2 of tomatoes.  This was not the best first experience, as the property they leased was not in good condition, it had no heating and had been very poorly maintained.  They quickly moved, in the same year, to a smaller property where they grew both short green cucumbers and tomatoes.  By 1994 they had expanded the area they leased to 4800 m2 over three properties, all in the Drury area.  It was incredibly difficult to get a loan from the bank at the time.  It wasn’t until they were successful in securing a loan two years later, that they were able to buy what is their main/home growing property until this day.  When they purchased their property, it had two old greenhouses totalling 2,100 m2 which they have replaced with 3,000 m2 of modern Faber Greenhouses.  In 2000 they decided to stop leasing the other properties to concentrate on the rebuild of their home property, building 2000 m2, with the final addition built in 2006.  As business kept improving over the years a new opportunity to lease a well-equipped 3000 m2 greenhouse in Drury presented itself.  Rose and Grant seized the opportunity to obtain that lease and now are very settled with a total area of 6000 m2, growing all telegraph cucumbers which is marketed by Fresh Direct.

Rose and Grant have seen a huge amount of change in the two plus decades they have been growing.  They have gone from growing in pumice bags, using whisker irrigation, to now growing in stone-wool slabs using pressure compensated drippers and using water content meters and weigh scales.  The waste oil burner has gone, and they are now using natural gas.  Environmental computer systems and automation have made growing more efficient and increased their productivity. 

Grant is in charge of the growing, he has learnt to read and understand pretty much exactly how a cucumber crop should look and grow.  Rose and Grant are sticklers for staying with tried and true varieties but still keep trialling new material in case a new, stronger and more productive variety, which better suits their environment becomes available.  This year has seen a change to a new summer variety of telegraph cucumber.

 

Whitefly and thrips are a constant threat which keeps Grant monitoring his plants tirelessly.

 

Through all of the changes something has never changed, the quality and the high standards Rose has when grading the fruit.  You will never see anything that is less than perfect passed as a Tag 1 product, “quantity is important but quality is paramount”.  As part of the GAP quality policy statement you will see when you enter the property states ‘WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TAG, IS WHAT YOU GET!’ 

Rose is in charge of the pack house, she sets extremely high standards which have paid off in the market place.  Their customers know that if they are receiving fruit grown by Rose and Grant, no matter what time of the year, it will be of the highest quality. 

 

 

Growing is not without its challenges as Rose explains “No one (anyone who is not a grower) realises the pressure of growing on a day to day basis.  We have to deal with the four main costs of: labour, heating, consumables and marketing as well as never ending compliance whilst also making a  living to support ourselves.  Current labour shortages are a serious concern, which is a shared sentiment throughout the industry.” 

Even with all of the issues facing the growing industry both Rose and Grant are still very positive about the immediate future of growing and remain very thankful for all the supportive and understanding service providers and suppliers they deal with. 

They both gain huge satisfaction from delivering the end product to their customers, which inspires them to get out of bed each day ready to put in another good day’s hard graft.  They are both magnificent people and fantastic hard-working kiwis.  They deserve every success for their relentless efforts.

 

 

Tag 1 product ready to send to market

 

Grant has installed this new gas fired boiler on the home property.

Cover photo of Rose and Grant Fannin.

 

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

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Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

 

 

Categories
Technical

Ghost Spotting

Control Advice

 

Below is advice on controlling ‘ghost spotting’ on tomatoes.  Ghost spotting is avoidable, however, it will always cause issues if conditions are favourable.  Despite a reduction in ghost spotting, as we are closing in on summer, there is still a certain amount of affected fruit to be picked in the upcoming weeks.  This will cause issues for growers, who have to grade this fruit as seconds, and what you don’t want now is an increase in seconds, especially as the volumes increase in the market and the price for second grade fruit drops rapidly.    Some growers will be tempted to turn their heaters off, which is totally a personal decision, but if you do then you still run a small risk of further spotting on the fruit.

 

Cause: Botrytis cinerea, a fungus. Symptoms of ghost spot on fruit result from the fungus' unsuccessful attempt to infect. There is no rot, but fruit is unmarketable. The fungus can also colonize leaves and stems. The disease is promoted by wet, humid conditions.

Symptoms: Faint, pale halos (3 to 8 mm in diameter) appear on fruit. They are white on immature fruit, yellow on ripe fruit. A small necrotic fleck may appear along with the halo. Spots rarely develop further, however a change to favourable conditions allows Ghost Spot to proceed to fruit rot.

 

 

Control: Botrytis can be controlled by management of environmental conditions, sound cultural practices, and fungicide applications.

  1. Good circulation to reduce humidity within the canopy and minimise leaf wetness.  Manage excessive foliage to encourage air flow and rapid drying.
  2. Use your heating and venting appropriately and efficiently to control morning fruit sweat.
  3. Keep a balanced plant, not over generative and not over vegetative.  I understand this sounds basic but it is far from that as each individual crop has to be grown accordingly, but definitely an over vegetative crop is not ideal.
  4. Remove dead or infected plant parts such as flowers, leaves, and rotted fruit.
  5. Preventative spraying, especially if you have a heating breakdown or have history of ghost spotting.  There are both biological and chemical options available

 

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

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Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Categories
Greenhouse News

Spring weather has been kind (so far)

Fruit numbers m2 are up

 

The weather has been exceptionally good for the first two months of Spring.  I’ve noticed the ground becoming quite dry in places reflecting the lack of rain.  Crops, I’ve been visiting, are generally looking in superb condition.  Some crops are nearing their final stages before being replaced, however, the quality of the fruit has been very impressive.   The young crops are thriving with all of the fantastic sun we have had.  Reports from other parts of the country, outside Auckland, indicate the weather has also been above average. 

We still have cool night temperatures which is understandable when you have these beautiful sunny spring days.  Although, as I write this article, I notice the wind is picking up and the clouds are rolling in.  Increasing your fruit numbers per m2 is very important at this time of year, a healthy crop should be increasing its fruit load in relation to the surge in light levels.  I have witnessed some very interesting flowering and set speeds in the past three weeks, it appears the plants are growing almost too well if that is possible.  However, I don’t think it will be a problem if crops are carrying a few extra fruits per m2 than normal for this time of year but size could marginally drop if the weather turns and light levels/joule counts stall in the coming weeks.  Keep an eye out if the weather turns in the next couple of weeks, you may need to consider making slight adjustments.  Not so much for crops with their heads removed or close to termination but for young crops that have a potentially long hot summer in front of them.  You will notice a couple of indications in your crop registrations, if the leaf length and stem thickness is changing rapidly.

Certain varieties are harder to give direction on than others, as they can react differently to increasing fruit load, some plants will abort fruit and some will keep hanging fruit until they burst.  So, I always consider the variety when providing advice on temperature, irrigation, fruit loading and pruning.    It is not an exact science but the reports certainly assist decision making and the conversation with the grower becomes much easier.   More knowledge at hand is certainly a positive when you have to resolve any issues.

Recently I did come across a crop that presented itself as having, a root health issue.  The plant, in my view, had been over-loaded in the winter, the effect of this was evident in the visual appearance of the plant.  A few adjustments to winter fruit loading, less stress on the plants and especially the root system would have the plant in a better place now.  The effect was a reduction in current fruit size.  It was by no means a disaster as the fruit shape and quality of the fruit was perfect.  It reiterated the huge importance I place on root health and the need to protect them coming out of the winter and into spring.  For that matter all year round.

 

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

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Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Categories
Industry Profile

Grower Profile Martin Nieuwenhuijsen

Ruby Orchids Ltd export 90% of the Cymbidium Orchids they grow.

 

Martin Nieuwenhuijsen is grower manager at one of Ruby Orchids Ltd properties.  Dick Oostdam, the owner of Ruby Nurseries, has several growing sites situated in Drury and Ramarama in South Auckland, New Zealand.  Martin overseas a site in Drury which covers over 1.2 hectares growing entirely cymbidium orchids, predominately grown for export.  Martin’s involvement with Ruby Orchids Ltd dates back to 1990.

 

History:

Martin was born in Holland in a small town called Nederhorst den Berg.  He was the youngest of 10 children. His mother and father still live in Holland and are both in their nineties.  Martin comes from an upbringing in horticulture, his parents were one of the first growers in Holland to grow cymbidium orchids commercially during the 1960’s.  It’s of no surprise that six of his siblings have all been involved in the flower growing industry.  Martins father became a vegetable grower after the second world war, when there was a huge need for food, before switching to the ever-popular flower growing industry in the 1950’s.

Being brought up in a family of growers Martin decided to join the horticulture industry.  After finishing high school he enrolled in and completed a three-year certificate in Horticulture at Aalsmeer College.  Two of Martins older brothers, who had become flower growers, decided to immigrate to New Zealand in the late 1980’s.  His brother Arnold invited him to come to New Zealand to work at his recently purchased greenhouse property in Ramarama at the age of 18.  Martin did not intend to stay for more than one year but three years later was still here.  He then decided he should go back to Holland, but after only a few months decided that he wanted to permanently return to New Zealand.

On his return to New Zealand in 1990, Martin was offered a part time job working for Dick Oostdam, which began his long working relationship with Ruby Orchids Ltd.  In 1995 Martin leased greenhouses in the Drury area and grew lily’s in the summer while still working in the winter for Dick.  He did this for several years before deciding to work fulltime with his other sibling Paul growing Alstroemeria flowers between 1998 – 2000.  At this time Arnold, who was still the growing manager of Florama (that he had just sold to a Taiwanese consortium) asked Martin to come back to work with him.  Martin took this opportunity to work with his brother who wanted to in Martins words, “Instil all of his growing knowledge on me” teaching him the technical aspects of growing cymbidium orchids.

In 2004 the opportunity to work for Ruby Orchids Ltd presented itself which Martin accepted.  At that time Dick had not purchased the second Drury property but having the certainty of an excellent grower like Martin gave him the confidence to expand his business. Martin was then relocated to the new site where he has been happily employed at for the past 14 years.

 

The Property:

The greenhouse complex in Drury is made up of two major growing areas.  It has three older greenhouses, which have been totally reskinned, and a recently built greenhouse by Apex Greenhouses.  It is supported by a waste oil heating system.  A Priva computer system is used to control the growing environment.  Is has a very large, lined water storage pond which collects the rain water from the greenhouse roofs.

 

Oil tank and boiler room

Water storage pond

 

Internal fit out:

The internal fitout of the greenhouses has the plants all raised in pots off the ground.  The heating system which doubles as the transport system for the flowers is above the crop.  Each greenhouse is fitted out with bird screens.

A photo of the reskinned original glasshouse

This photo shows the system which transports the flowers above the plants.

 

The Growing Season:

It is in the final two weeks of the busy picking season, from now until March, when the earliest varieties will flower, there is a lot of work to be completed.  Removal of old leaf and clearing/opening up each pot is very important to help light filtrate and initiate flowers from the new bulb. Plants have to be split and re-potted and very old plants removed.  Around 20% of the plants are replaced each year.  It is also a difficult time of the year when the plant needs to be ‘rested’ as there has been a natural root death caused by the picking of the flowers (shock on the plant).  The Orchid plant now needs to recover and grow its new roots before November, when a period of heat stress is used on the plant to induce the spike or new flower for next year.  At the start of January, when the plants have spiked, extra shading is applied to the greenhouses and they are kept as cool as possible to protect the quality of the flower. Martin says this can be the best time to work in the greenhouses.  Temperatures used are a trade secret that have taken years to perfect. It is very important to be disciplined and make sure if the boiler breaks down it is fixed immediately.  Martin has been known to stay all night on the property to make sure the boiler restarts.

 

Insects and Fungal control:

 

Beneficial insects arrive in plastic bottles which are then released.

 

Insects: Cymbidium orchids are attacked by two spotted mite and thrips.  Numerous IPM controls are used including that of phytoseiulul persimilis a predatory mite.

Fungus: Botrytis is the main fungal issue for the flowers.  Small spores causing spots on the plants can be hard to notice when picking but when packed and exported the botrytis can spread and spoil the flower during shipment.  It is a major priority to prevent botrytis.  Phytophthora is the main cause of root disease. Again, this is only noticed generally at the end of the picking season when root death has occurred.

 

Jora Singh is one of the hard working team at Ruby Nurseries.

 

The site in Drury employs 4 full time staff and during the picking season, from March until October, there can be up to 10 extra staff employed.  Martin says there are two staff members that have been employed for over 10 years each.

 

The Flowers:

There are over 50 different varieties of cymbidium orchids grown on the property with seven different colours.  Some of the oldest plants on the property are around 15 years old!  New varieties are constantly trialled however, sometimes they don’t produce as good as the older varieties.  Over 90% of the Cymbidium’s that are grown, are exported to countries all across the world including, USA, Europe, Asia, Pacific Islands and even some to Australia.  Hong Kong has become a developing market.  The local market could not handle the sheer quantity of flowers that are grown but is still a very important market that Ruby Orchids Ltd supplies product for.  The flowers are exported by an export company called NZ Bloom.  There are several NZ markets that are also used to distribute locally, UFG being the main one.

 

The finished product ready for export

 

The Substrate:The orchids are grown in a coarse coco fibre mix.  The pot sizes will vary depending on the age of the plant and when they get re-potted. In the photo below the bulb in the middle of the pot is where last year’s flower came from and the new bulb on the left is where this year’s flower will come from.  The bulb that flowered last year could flower again.

 

Martin is positive about the future of growing cymbidium orchids.  It has been quite hard in recent times as the fluctuating nature of the $ can severely impact returns.  Recently there has been financially difficult years but 2018 has seen an improvement.  Even though I am a vegetable greenhouse consultant there are synergies between the two and I can clearly see why Martin is successful with his growing, it was a pleasure to report on such a well-run export-based operation.

 

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

 

Categories
Greenhouse News

BNZ

BNZ, Major Sponsor of Grower2Grower

 

As Managing Director of Grower2Grower, I am delighted to announce that the Bank of New Zealand are now the Major Sponsor of the Grower2Grower website e-magazine and information centre.   BNZ already has a well-established presence lending to horticultural businesses within New Zealand, and this sponsorship further highlights their commitment and ambition to support further growth and innovation in the sector.

 

I believe that the protected crop industry in New Zealand will become an industry that will have considerable growth in the foreseeable future, both in terms of increase in size and influences from new technologies improving returns for growers.   Fresh opportunities to help existing and new growers build their greenhouse businesses is an exciting proposition.  Securing the sponsorship of BNZ, an extremely influential bank here in New Zealand, indicates that the greenhouse industry is seen as a growth industry by our most important partners in business.     There is a need to have domestic food security which greenhouses offer as well as the huge opportunities from exporting, which with the work of other horticulture in New Zealand, is growing year by year.  Greenhouses could almost be described as the ‘perfect system’ where control and variabilities are negligible.  You can almost exclude the weather from ever effecting supply, especially with the new technologies on offer.  

 

Grower2Grower now officially has 3000 plus genuine users worldwide with over 1800 genuine users in New Zealand alone.  This organic growth has happened since our launch in February.  The website currently has a strong base of more than 150 greenhouse vegetable and flower growers in New Zealand, and this number keeps steadily increasing.  My goal is to continue to have the Grower2Grower website as a platform where growers are able to obtain supportive technical information to assist in ultimately improving financial growing outcomes.  Grower2Grower is about promoting the industry and celebrating the fantastic group of greenhouse growers we have in New Zealand.  The comments and feedback I have had privately from growers and industry partners have been humbling and gives me increased confidence that we are delivering on what our business was established for. 

 

Securing sponsorship from BNZ is an important step to allow Grower2Grower to keep delivering new and important information to New Zealand’s greenhouse growers.  By working together and supporting each other, we will all have a better chance to keep improving and lifting outcomes.  Success is a good word.

 

I would like to thank the efforts of Hamish Frizzell and Peter Butler from the BNZ Agribusiness team from Pukekohe who helped secure the sponsorship and to Colin Mansbridge, Head of Agribusiness -BNZ Partners.  We at Grower2Grower look forward with great enthusiasm to our partnership with the BNZ over the coming years. 

Both Peter and Hamish were instrumental in securing the partnership between the BNZ and Grower2Grower. Photo of Peter Butler to the left and Hamish Frizzell on the right.  

 

Contact Detials:

Hamish Frizzell
Partner – Agribusiness

Registered Valuer
BNZ Partners

Email : Hamish_Frizzell@bnz.co.nz

Phone : +64 9 9048673 (extn 43773)

Mobile: +64 29 8539290

Fax : +64 9 9048677

Web : www.bnz.co.nz

 

Peter Butler

Agribusiness Partner

BNZ Partners

10 Massey Ave

Pukekohe 2120

DDI: 09 9048670 (Int 43770)

Fax: 09 9048677

Mobile: 021 2423600

 

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Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Categories
Integrated Pest Management

Aphids kick off insect season!!

Reproducing at an alarming rate

 

Last edition I wrote an article regarding spray damage in relation to increasing pest numbers.  I understand it is always insect season, the winter is still a challenge to control pests, but the pressure will ramp up now we are in spring and the weather is improving.  Late last week I was notified Aphids had started multiplying rapidly in a greenhouse cucumber crop in the South Auckland region.  The weather in September has been good, I expect it has helped the sudden influx of Aphids, which I don’t recall seeing this soon after winter in NZ.  Nor have I seen them spread so quickly.  The immediate response was to spray a selective insecticide, which I agreed was the correct decision in this case, however biological options are available.

When I worked in an organic greenhouse production site in the UK Aphids were a major problem for cucumber plants.  The introduction of large numbers of Aphidius (a natural predator), managing aphid populations, with the addition of organic sprays, worked to good effect.  Natural pyrethrums were the organic spray of choice (you may like to read this article regarding pyrethrums https://www.todayshomeowner.com/is-pyrethrum-a-safe-organic-pesticide/  “Pyrethrum refers to the Pyrethrum daisy (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) from which the insecticidal compound is extracted. Also nicknamed Dalmatian chrysanthemum, this perennial daisy is loaded with chemicals called pyrethrins that are toxic to insects. Since it is directly extracted from a plant, and since it is considered nontoxic to humans, pyrethrum is approved in the U.S. for use on certified organic farms” Quote from article written by Julie Day.)  (On a side note I am going to crush some daisy’s up to see if it works ��)

With most pests, early identification is your best chance of defence and to limit your insecticide applications.  If you need to use an insecticide to control pests, I would then talk to your bio-control supplier about the possibility of introducing Aphidius, if it is available.  Just let them know what and when you have sprayed so they can advise on the appropriate time to introduce the Aphidius if possible.  You might find it gives you good control for a long period of time or short, but at least it gives you an option to not spray.  Please don’t hesitate, if the beneficial predators are not keeping up, to then use either an insecticide or biological spray to reduce pest numbers. 

There will be other insecticide options that your local wholesaler will have.  Talk to their experts, and if you do intend to use in combination a biological option see if there is a product available that would be less harmful to a beneficial predator. 

There is a low demand for Aphidius currently in NZ and if someone wants them it does take time to produce enough numbers to then have enough time to colonises an Aphid colony.  With Capsicums especially, you often don’t have enough time for the Aphidius to gain control before you potentially loose the head from the damage the Aphid causes.  This is where a knockdown with an insecticide and then introducing Aphidius will finish the job.

Pictures taken above (top cover photo) are from the greenhouse in South Auckland taken last week.  It was over an extremely short period of time that the pests were first noticed until they reproduced in huge numbers.  Hence it is very hard to gain immediate control if suddenly introducing a biological predator.

 

 Aphids are a big problem in the horticultural sector. Through their enormous reproductive capability, aphids can cause severe damage to several crops. Resistance to pesticides is increasing. Important aphids occurring in glasshouses are: the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii, the glasshouse potato aphid Aulacorthum solani, the potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae and the green peach aphid Myzus persicae.

Biology

In glasshouses aphid population always consists of viviparous females. Young aphids are born and immediately start feeding on plant sap. They grow quickly and moult four times before they become adult. The resulting characteristic white skins betray the presence of aphids. Winged aphids develop at high densities, enabling rapid spread through the glasshouse from hot spot areas.

Symptoms:  Nymphs and adults feed on plant sap. This halts growth, causing curled leaves. Sometimes yellow spots appear.  Aphids excrete honeydew. Sooty moulds can develop on this, soiling the crop. Photosynthesis reduces, and consequently growth and production.

Toxic substances can be brought into the plant, causing strong allergic reactions in the plant. 
Plant pathogenic substances, particularly viruses, can be brought into the plant. (Extract from the Zonda website, click here to read more)

 

 

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Article written by Stefan Vogrincic with inserts from Zonda Beneficials and Writer Julie Day. 

Categories
Equipment

Growing with Gutters

Make growing easier with fewer drawbacks

 

Elevated gutters, is becoming more the “norm” when building new greenhouse structures.  It is an important decision to make and comes with extra expense however, this expense can be offset as a traditional internal drainage system is not required when growing from the ground.

There are other floor gutter options available that require a perfectly level floor.  If the floor isn’t level you will end up with potential troughs where the water sits. If you decide to slope your floor, to compensate, remember it will potentially create temperature variation. 

Gutters offer you a large saving in labour.  It is easier to put substrate on and to remove from elevated gutters than the ground which is friendly on the back. It is far easier and efficient when planting.  For a period after planting (time varies depending on what vegetable you are growing) it is very easy to perform the initial jobs like clipping/tying up the plants and carrying out important plant maintenance. 

Below are some of the benefits:

A, Hygiene:  Much easier to clean your floors and disinfect the greenhouse.

B, Irrigation:

1:  Gutters are the best option for creating the even surface for the substrate to sit on.  This is very important to encourage even distribution and water across the substrate.  No brainer. 

2: The irrigation is attached to the gutters either underneath or as I have seen in some places on top attached to a grow pipe.  I prefer the irrigation lines underneath the gutter with the micro tubes bending up to the slab.  I like it that way shade the main irrigation lines and its tidy and one less pipe in the way. 

C, Drainage: For capturing runoff and recycling – it is a great system for reducing contact with the ground and extra potential contaminants.

D, layering crops is easy with gutters.

There are many advantages to gutters, some growers like the fact they can drop their leaves underneath the gutters.  Others like the fact that there are less hazards in the way to prevent trolleys causing damage.

 

Types of Gutters:

 

Once you have decided if you would like to have an elevated gutter system, you then have to decide what is the best system for you.  There are internal and external gutters, where the substrate can sit on top of the gutter or inside the gutter.  My preference is the external option.  Some internal gutters are designed to take the runoff away from deep grooves internally either at the side or in the middle of the gutter.  Certain vegetable root systems (like tomatoes and cucumbers) potentially could grow vigorously out of the bags, so you will be in a world of trouble when roots start blocking an internal guttering system.  The external or top hat gutters with the collection groove exposed on the outside far reduce the potential for unwanted roots growing out of the bag and into the drain.   Top hat elevated gutters make collecting horizontal slab profiles easier also.

There is an option of hanging or ground mounted gutters. Ground mounted are better if there is a lack of strength in your structure.  Ground mounted gutters will mean you have stands on the floor and this makes it a bit more difficult when cleaning.  When ordering your greenhouse consult with the builders, let them know if you plan to install hanging gutters.

The width of your gutter will depend on your substrate, this should be a consideration if you plan on interplanting.  Generally, the standard width of gutters is approximately 200ml wide, but I have seen different sizes around the world. 

 

Height of the elevated gutter from the ground is not standard and this does depend partly on the height of your greenhouse.  For older, lower structures that are being retrofitted, I would not be too high off the ground.  The top of the crop should be as far away from the vents as possible.  This is the reason modern greenhouses are built higher, to create a better environment for the plant.  One drawback from gutters is the increased temperature the substrate will achieve sitting higher off the ground.  It will possibly be slightly warmer, which is great in winter, but could cause a few challenges in the summer.

New greenhouse structures are designed with ‘truss posts’ See fig 4.  It is a great idea to eliminate the gutter sitting too far to one side of the row.  It helps create even spacing between gutters and therefore between plants.

 This photo demonstrates the immediate impact and benefit that elevated growing gutters has.

 Image from Apex Greenhouses.  Contact Apex Greenhouses if you are considering building a greenhouse structure with gutters.

 

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

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Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower