Greenhouse Duty Blog

February 24-26 2017 

Jenn and James

On Friday, February 24th, 2017 after our instruction from Adrienne and Jeff, we checked the PRIVA system and made notes on the temperature ranges within the greenhouse. We then repotted the red & white petunias and made sure there was at least a lip between the top of the pot and the top of the soil so the water didn’t run out of the pots. This ensures the petunias are getting the amount of food and water they need to thrive. Then we placed only the red petunias on the heat mats to promote quicker root growth so they’re rooted enough to be planted in their hanging baskets. Next week will be the white petunias turn on the heat mat for the same reason. Most of the day consisted of repotting petunias, there were a few moments where customers walked in to see what was for sale. But unfortunately, no sales were made during the whole greenhouse duty. At the end of the day we made notes on the functionality and temperatures of the greenhouse. PRIVA system functions were also recorded.

On Saturday, February 25th, 2017, I immediately went to finish off repotting the last 40 or so white Petunias, while Jenn checked the crop for watering requirements and any kind of issues as well as checked the PRIVA system. We then made fertilizer for the hydrangeas, and root promoting fertilizer for the petunias. The two batches were made carefully and safely. As Jenn cleaned out the outside storage area, I collected the Pro-mix (with some help from Jenn) and placed them under the far benches within the greenhouse so they were thawed out when the classes need them for various tasks. After completing the job, Jenn and I went to tackle the 3 Ficus trees, out front of the bookstore.
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They needed to be watered and the under plantings needed some tending as well. We had to apply a “leaf shiner” to the leaves of the Ficus, while removing thick amounts of dust on the leaf’s surface. This took up a large portion of the morning, leading up to lunch, and then continued a little longer after lunch. Jenn had already previously watered the hydrangeas so that an hour afterwards, we could start recording data for the E.C. & pH readings. When taking notes and data, there weren’t too many differences from previous recordings. This made sense as the crop seems to be thriving well. When this was finished, we cleaned/tidied up the greenhouse a little to bring us to the closing time, where we then had to make notes on the temperature from the PRIVA system. We also had to list all functioning apparatuses around the greenhouse to make sure nothing was out of place and/or working improperly.
On Sunday, February 26th, 2017, Jenn and I checked the PRIVA system, the thermometer within the greenhouse and the temperature readings with the infrared gun. Notes were recorded and we then discussed on what tasks would be completed by whom. First task I completed was re-potting the established cuttings from inside the propagation chamber while Jenn made a tray of Tradescantia cuttings for a client order. I then went on to collect cuttings from the stock baskets for cuddy’s. There was no way of obtaining the rooting hormone powder, due to the door being locked. I then improvised, with the suggestion from Jenn, that ‘Coleus’ plants are very easily propagated without the hormone powder, and began to take cuttings only from a group of different Coleus cultivars.
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While I was completing this task, Jenn moved onto creating new succulent collections that are for sale in our greenhouse.
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Once the cuttings were obtained, I made labels for them, watered them and then placed them into the propagation chamber. I then went out to clean the tractor bay and tidied up loose tools and pots. After doing this, Jenn suggested it was time to take out the compost and deposit the contents within the dumping area, located at the North-West end of the college campus. Upon our return, we then took the left over miscellaneous potting mix and placed into a garden bed located along M building, adjacent to the greenhouse. We then finished the day off with a thorough cleaning of the entire greenhouse, making sure to squeegee most of the floor underneath the crop to avoid too high of humidity levels from using water to remove the built-up dirt. Of course PRIVA systems and other functions of the greenhouse were checked over to make sure all were working correctly.
Overall, the weekend went smoothly. We’re excited about being able to sell the hydrangea crop soon and are looking forward to seeing more of the blooms burst with colour.