We all know the basics of nitrogen in plants. The good and the bad. Every grower and student knows nitrogen is important for good looking healthy plants. Too much nitrogen and you get dark green vigorous growing vegetative growth, too little and plants show smaller leaves but it seems that there are more flowers and [...]
This is something that has been on my mind for a long time. So many growers ask me what is the best combination of crops to grow to get maximum income. It is impossible for me to answer that and I don’t think any economist can do so either. Unless you spend a lot of [...]
Cucumbers are sensitive to water stress (to little water) and to water logging (over watering). Any of these two conditions will reduce plant vigour and cause physiological fruit disorders such as crooked fruit. The frequency of water application cannot be standardized because of so many factors that vary within each farming system. Fertigation scheduling should [...]
There is no doubt that hydroponic farming systems are feasible as a commercial operation. Proof is in the application of this technology worldwide. I do not consider any business commercially viable until it has been in operation for at least 6 years. Within that period most growers will have experienced some type of product cycle [...]
Heating the nutrient solution of a NFT hydroponic system may sound like a lucrative option for early yields. Tampering with the nutrient solution temperature is expensive and return on investment low. It is as if the protected environment provides growers endless possibilities to manipulate the growth season of their crops. Unfortunately nature does not work [...]
Spinach or Spinacia oleracea L. belongs to the Chenopodiaceae family. The Chenopodiaceae family also includes crop such as beet (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris) and chard (swiss chard: Beta vulgaris L. var cicla: Ulrich) The most will known swiss chard variety among growers is Ford Hook Giant. Most people regard swiss chard as actual spinach. [...]
The ripening stage when tomato fruit are harvested will depend on the variety, the market segment (do they want red full ripe tomatoes or does the consumer want the tomato to ripen at home) and market distance. In most cases, tomatoes are harvested just after some red discolouration has set in. The grower knows (and [...]
Calcium and Boron have a close relationship in the plant. Their absolute concentrations and the relative ratio between the two affects how much of each can be absorbed. Both play an important role in growth points, or rather meristematic tissue. Although both these nutrients are not problematic in most crops, it is good to know [...]
Seedling susceptibility to various climate conditions is important to growers, especially those wanting to venture into new crops. We all know that microclimate is crucial to seedling growth and time to maturity. I think climate is one of the most important aspects that has to be considered when deciding to grow your own seedlings or [...]
