In the last week that the plants are in the nursery, they grow faster and faster. The leaf surface increases considerably, creating a favorable microclimate. The growing conditions improve and the moment to deliver the plants comes closer and closer.
Optimal transfer from the propagator to the grower.
Good communication between the propagator and the grower during visits.
To make the last days of propagation and the transition to the nursery as smooth as possible, good communication between the propagator and the grower is very important. Stay in contact with your customer to discuss any issues with your technical team, so that the transition runs as smoothly as possible. Make sure you consider:
Proper coordination ensures that the transition from the nursery to the growing location goes smoothly. This is vital for optimum onward growth. Weather conditions also have a role to play in this. In mild and severe weather, the screen control, lighting and temperature (tube temperature) are clearly different from freezing weather.
The timing of the final irrigation before the plants are transported is essential. Late irrigation causes high leaf breakage during packing at the plant nursery, and during transplanting at the grower. If the final irrigation is too early, there is a good chance if an unequal WC because the edges of the batch will dry out too much. The optimum water content in the block during planting is 60-65%. Good communication with the growers will prevent issues and makes it possible to respond to individual requirements and the specific conditions at a grower’s site.
Using Grodan products, such as the Plantop NG2.0 and Grodan Pro block, mean that steering is possible right up to the last moment. The re-saturation of the blocks is so effective that it is easy to achieve the ideal water content during planting. The water content of the blocks also remains homogeneously moist during packing, transport and planting.
When picking and packing plants, both plant and block require careful handling. The crop and roots should be damaged as little as possible. It is particularly important that cultivated plants with a considerable root system under the block should not be pushed across a floor or table. Picking up the blocks is far safer for the roots. This requires just a little extra attention.
Transporting plants involves a great deal of work. Not too cold, not too hot; not too dry, not too wet, not too long... So what should the process look like? Here’s a few guidelines:
Propagating a healthy plant is one thing, keeping a plant in good condition during packing and transport is quite another. Here too, communication with the buyer is vital to ensure the plant gets a good start.
Agree when you will deliver the plants. The grower can then make sure everything is ready and bring the greenhouse and slabs to the right temperature in time. Also indicate what climate conditions the plant has been under during propagation so that the greenhouse settings can be adjusted accordingly. Despite the best intentions and settings, the plant still needs to acclimatise in the first days after delivery. Just because of handling and transport.
Every grower aims for optimal growth once the plants are in the greenhouse. Certain elements of cultivation can also help determine the plant’s onward growth. EC and pH can be coordinated. This also applies to the temperature during the last few days, intensive or extensive screen use and the number of hours of lighting per day. It is important to realise that every grower has their own ideal circumstances and personal preferences. Something similar applies to the aforementioned settings such as greenhouse temperatures and screens. It is also important to discuss the slab temperature in the greenhouse. The plants will benefit from these checks. Especially during times of high gas prices and heating up as late as possible, there is a increasing risk associated with this. Communication is key to finding out customer wishes and to ensure that your plant sees the best onward growth.
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