Well this weekend started off with the usual run down of Jeff explaining to what needed to be done in the Greenhouse. We then started to accomplish all that Michael Pascoe had set out for us we needed soil. Greg had brought in soil from outside in the morning. We then filled as many peat pots as we could for the Cannas, though only four pots got filled. Seeing that we could only use so much soil we decided to then do some cutting of plants that Michael had already selected for us. Those little ones went into the propagation chamber, after being watered of course. By then it was time for us to clean up and our closing rounds.

Saturday was an interesting one; I had gotten the keys from Security and was in the Greenhouse when I came to discover that my partner was not present. I had then phone the higher authorities than myself and got right to work. The first thing to be done in the morning was to walk the crop and check to see if the plants needed to be watered, while in the process of completing the opening check list. The first big task of the day was to finish the potting of the Cannas that had been started the previous day. Though the soil was still frozen after having hot water poured over it and sitting over night, which made it very difficult and time consuming to break it up and press all the soil chunks out. To be able to use to plant the rest of the Cannas order that was required of use to do this weekend. Once I had gotten that task completed and made sure to water in the Cannas. The next thing to do was to check on the Hydrangea crop to make sure that they were alright, being sure that they had enough water in which case they did. In the afternoon, there was more propagation being done. Even though there was very little space within the propagation chamber, the cells that were not being used were emptied and refilled with Hp Promix that then had small stock cuttings dipped into a sort of rooting hormone inserted into cell containers that was then placed into the propagation chamber, where there was room. After all was said and done, the closing procedure was completed and the Greenhouse was clean that evening. There was concern upon the fact that bench number four would not move at all for me, as I was in the process of checking the Priva temperature box.  I left to go on an adventure through the school to return the Greenhouse keys.

Then came the final day of my weekend duty, Sunday was a busy and crazy day. Upon arrival at the school, I immediately went to retrieve the keys from Security to then go and unlock the Greenhouse for the day. Again the higher authorities than me were contacted, to see what was to become of myself. I then started the opening routine, and since bench four was still not moving this morning I was unable to check the plant or even the Priva box. The plants on the single stationary bench along the Greenhouse wall were checked and watered as needed. The next task that I moved onto was to wash the dirty pots that needed a good cleaning, to allow them to dry and be put away at the end of the day. The Tractor Bay floor then received a well deserved sweeping. The Greenhouse was then the next area to be tackled, and while cleaning I encountered major amounts of ladybugs traveling throughout the Greenhouse. Around this time Michael Pascoe had then decided to make a surprise visit to the Greenhouse. After his inspection and remarks regarding the plants Michael had left, as then went to complete the tasks that he had delegated to me. The potting room was then swept and watered then squeegee the potting room floor. All the other required tasks of keeping the Greenhouse clean and tidy were completed. It was then time to work on the closing check list and return the keys back to Security. This all made for a very interesting weekend, a lovely start to reading week.

Friday Febuary 13/2015

Upon arriving at the greenhouse in fidget winter temperatures, Jeff gave us a brief walk through on the tasks that we had to complete this weekend. We started our day by walking the crop removing dead foliage from the Hydrangea’s, checking that everything was properly functioning and in good working order. After a thorough check Rob re-watered six of the pots as they were bone dry and moved them to different emitters. We then started propagating some plants by taking cuttings from Salviaelegans (fruity sage), Fushsia magellanica (Tricolor), Solenostemon (electric limon) and Olea eurpaeea (common olive).

For the first three plants we used hormone 1 root developer and for the olive tree we used hormone 2 root developer. This allows the cuttings to establish good rooting systems while in the propagation chamber. The poor Fuchsia plant looks like it has nothing left. After lunch we mixed up some 21-7-7 fertilizer for next week’s fertilization for our Hydrangea crop. This just makes it a little easier for next week’s class. The rest of the afternoon was spent germinating seeds.

This is preparing our stock crop for future spring clients. By working together we managed to seed 18 pans. As the end of the day near we did our closing requirements and prep for day two in the greenhouse.

Saturday February 14/2015

This morning arrival was a difficult one as we were in the midst of a nice snow storm, but we made it safe and sound. Today’s day started with our daily prep. This includes making sure that all systems are properly functioning that the temperature is set correct and our brains of the greenhouse (our Priva system) are running accordingly. After walking thoroughly threw the plants we noticed that the media was a little on the dry side so we gave the hydrangea’s a drink (without fertilizer as they only get fertilized once a week) .

The cacti needed all the dead foliage removed and the poor Wollemia pine hadn’t been watered for a very long time so he enjoyed a good shower.

Next we removed the soil and dead foliage from the Colocasia to prep them for re-potting.

We ran into a tiny problem taking the compost out as there was a four foot snow bank blockage that task will need to be done another day. As the day grew to and end we did our closing requirements and called it a day.

Sunday February 15/ 2015

This morning’s temperature is very cold -40 below. Upon doing our morning routine there was a notice on the Priva greenhouse monitor that the temp was below average. With that being noted all that means is that our lovely greenhouse is trying to compete with the outside temperatures .After walking the crop Rob and Chantdell started to pot some canna’s and managed to pot 29 to add to our stock.

After lunch we did a thorough clean and made sure everything was organized and sanitized for this upcoming week. We gave our lovely hydrangea’s a good water and discovered that two emitter lines were sliced and made note of the problem for immediate repair. Rob was able to dispose of the compost in C building until our compost heap is accessible. Closing time came quickly today and we have had a very successful weekend.

Greenhouse Practical Weekend

January 30^th- February 1^st

Zack and Sara

          Firstly a very happy new year to you all! Hoping 2015 has started off as wonderfully for you as it has for the Horticulture Program here at Fanshawe College. 2015 kicked off with a bang as we were at Landscape Ontario’s annual expo, Congress. The whole class spent two days building a wonderful garden display. A very exciting time to apply all we have learned in our practical classes and work as a team.

        
          All the wonderful tropical plants that filled our Congress display were shipped to Toronto and returned in plastic pots. Zach and I carefully transplanted the tropical plants back to clay pots. Clay pots are the best to use as they stand up to sun damage longer than plastic. They also hold heat and moisture better.

          During Congress, Landscape Ontario had a booth set up for the Certified Landscape Technician Plant Identification testing station. In order to have this testing available, a broad spectrum of plants were required to be pushed into an early spring. This took place at Cuddy Gardens in Strathroy. Furthermore, since the testing is complete, the plants are now in the greenhouse on campus where we can take good care of them. It’s quite strange to see a flowering forsythia shrub at the end January, however, I’m not complaining.

          The weekend consisted of implementing proper IPM (integrated pest management) strategies including monitoring. We walked and inspected all crops twice daily. We recorded any findings including location of greenhouse and specific pests and plants. On top of visual monitoring there are yellow sticky traps placed throughout the greenhouse to capture flying pests. Cleanliness is a crucial part of any greenhouse operation and IPM strategy.  Pests and diseases survive and thrive off of debris, algae and weeds. We made sure to properly clean all areas of the greenhouse including the tractor bay.

          We currently have a crop of Hydrangeas-specifically Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Meritt’s Supreme’- growing on in the greenhouse. They arrived as two year old plants the first week of December. These two year old plants have great structure and will produce a minimum of 3-5 flower heads per plant. They are heavy feeders of nitrogen with their large leaves, thus the fertilization they are receiving is a 21-7-7 mix through the irrigation lines. The Hydrangeas are currently being forced into an early spring, as such, they will be flowering and ready for sale Easter Weekend. Everyone is quite excited for this plant sale and they will not last long!

          Annuals and herbs were purchased and brought into the greenhouse for future propagation. These included, spearmint, peppermint, chocolate spearmint (which tastes amazing!) and Cuban oregano. We transplanted them to larger pots. These herbs and annuals will be propagated and grown on to be ready for the annual plant sale at Cuddy Gardens. We also have a large section of water plants that we plan to propagate and have ready for the plant sale. This is because of a large demand last year for water plants. I am extremely excited to see how this propagation will be different and how to properly care for water plants.

           As our hydrangea crop requires a cooler temperature and a high nitrogen fertilizer, other plants in our greenhouse like it much warmer and have different fertility needs. The greenhouse has relatively new under bench heating so we are now able to section off different crops. The tropical, cacti and succulents are along the side bench and have the heating turned up. We also have two buckets of mixed fertilizer that the hose for the Dosatron can take from. As stated earlier the fertilizer for the hydrangeas is a 21-7-7. The rest of the plants in the greenhouse prefer a balance of triple 20 (20-20-20). Zack and I completed the math equation and with Mr. Rowley’s approval we mixed up a 60L batch of the triple 20 fertilizer.

          All in all another great weekend at the Fanshawe College Greenhouse.