I studied agriculture at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa in 1984 and completing my M.Sc Agric. in 1998. . My love for "Controlled Environmental Agriculture" (CEA), started in my third year when I was exposed to the Welgevallen Research Station. There Prof. P.C.Maree showed us what hydroponics consisted of. It was awesome. There were no large tractors involved, no dusty fields, no uncontrollable storms to destroy your crop (well that is what I thought).
Since then I put hydroponics to much better use, not just farming. We solved pollution problems by cleaning mines effluent with hydroponics and aquaculture. They were used to remove toxic metals to produce clean water (which we sold and make more money of than the produce). What I learned from 1987 I tried to compile in this website and I hope it is from some value to the serious commercial farmer that wants to take the journey into Commercial Hydroponic Farming.
Bollworm description Bollworm, also known as tomato fruit worm or American Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, are small caterpillars (about 30mm long, slightly more than 1 inch)...
Physiological disorders caused by low temperatures Low temperatures injury only occurs with fruit that are in storage (either in transit or in storage rooms). Small...
Selecting a cucumber pruning system The question arises which system should be used. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages according to the ability and...
Sweet potato whitefly description Sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, order Hemiptera and family Aleyrodidae) is a sap feeder. The adults are about 4-5mm long with...
Red spider mite description Red spider mite, of the genus Tetranychus urticae, are sap feeders. Although there are several species of spider mites which attack...
Green bean fertigation must be controlled carefully since they are extremely fast growing. There are pro’s and con’s of fast growing crops. An advantage can...
Leaf miner description The adult leaf miner (Liriomyza sativae) is a 1-1.8mm long shiny black fly with a prominent yellow triangle between the bases of...
Downy mildew is a serious problem in greenhouses especially under cold humid conditions. It is caused by the casual organism Bremia lactucae. Of the commercial...
Sclerotinia symptoms Leaves, especially the older ones, start to wilt during any stage of growth. The wilting continuous until the plant collapses completely. The...
Grey mould is found on lettuce, escarole, endive and globe artichoke. The disease is most important during transit of these crops. The disease is caused...
Description of whiteflies Whiteflies are about 1.5mm long, the adult is white which resembles a tiny moth. They produce oblong eggs, pale green to purple...
Septoria leaf spot is one of the most destructive diseases on tomato and is caused by Septoria lycopersici. It is most destructive during moderate temperatures...
Cutworm description Black cutworm moths have dark brown forewings, light-coloured hind wings, and a wing expanse of 38 to 51 mm. Granulate cutworm moths have...
Anthracnose is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum phomoides and is a common and widely distributed rot of ripe tomatoes. The disease can cause serious losses...
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