Greenhouse Weekend Blog

Colby, Luke and William

October 25-27, 2019

Friday

On Friday we did not arrive to the greenhouse until approximately 1:30 in the afternoon because we had our C.L.T test that morning. Luke and Colby arrived first, and Jeff gave us a list of jobs to do for the rest of the day. We began by going through the greenhouse and making sure everything was in good condition. After that, we sorted the elephant ears (Colocasia) from the healthy to the unhealthy ones while winterizing variegated Pretoria Cannas.

Colby and Luke went to the compound to dispose of the unwanted foliage. When they returned, we took our quick break and then finished the Cannas. Jeff gave us a brief summary on the greenhouse expectations assigned for this weekend. He then proceeded to show us the plants we were going to propagate over the next two days. These plants included Plectranthus fosteri 'Green on Green' and Tradescantia sillamontana. We ended our shift at five as instructed.

Saturday

We arrived on Saturday morning at 8:00 am. Luke opened the shade curtains upon arrival while Colby inspected the greenhouse for any damage or debris that could have been caused overnight. Will checked the PRIVA conditions to make sure the greenhouse was at the appropriate standards. We then proceeded to remove the cuttings off the Plectranthus fosteri 'Green on Green' plants in the Woodland garden. Unfortunately there was a significant amount of damage to the mother plants due to frost overnight. We pruned off the best possible cuttings that were least damaged from the frost. Following the first two trays we exited the room to go to the propagation chamber. Luke switched and started to transplant the plants that were finished rooting from the propagation chamber into pots, as well as watering them before putting them onto the heat mats in the greenhouse.

We ended up having ninety-three Plectranthus in the propagation chamber and then started our hour lunch break. When we returned, Colby went and got the Tradscantia sillamontana while Will and Luke were preparing trays for the cuttings. When we finished filling all the trays, we put a clear dome on and placed the trays into the greenhouse on the heat mat. We printed tags and placed them into the trays and started to clean up. Will closed the shade curtains in the green house at 4:20 pm while Luke and Colby began cleaning the floors and tables. Colby then started to go over the PRIVA system making sure the greenhouse would be left in good condition for the rest of the night. We left at five at the end of our shift.

Sunday

Sunday morning prior to 8:00 am, Will opened up the greenhouse. He then opened the shade curtains at 8:00 am and checked PRIVA. During this time Colby went around and checked the greenhouse. Last night we decided that the plants did not need to be watered until today, so Colby went around and started making sure the lines were turned on properly. He left them on for approximately twenty minutes. Will was completing the blog, so Colby started putting Tradescantia cuttings into the trays while Luke watered them and then they put them onto heat mats. After our break, Will started doing the IMP Sticky Trap Report on each even numbered bench and counted how many bugs there were on each sticky trap. During this time, Colby and Luke started on the pH (parts hydrogen) and EC (electrical conductivity) testing making sure that there at the appropriate level after they flushed the plants. Luke and Colby finished the pH and E.C. ratings and Will finished the IMP Sticky Trap Report. Will closed the shade curtains at 4:20 pm and cleaned the grates while Luke washed the floor and checked around the building. Colby organized and put away the rest of the remaining pots and supplies. Another weekend completed.