Educational presentation that focuses on the best systems for growing transplants in heated tunnels or greenhouses. (January 2016)

1. Getting Great Starts
Mila Berhane, Senior Research Associate
and
Stephanie Elwood, Extension Associate
Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Baton Rouge, LA | January 2016

2. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Sustainable practices
• Large diversity of plants
• Minimum use of fertilizers and
pesticides
• Integrated pest management
• Water by hand and harvest rain water
• Recycling of pots and soil
• Composting
• Sanitation

3. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Types of greenhouses
• Can be divided into glass & plastic
greenhouses.
• Commercial greenhouses are often high-
tech production facilities for vegetables
or flowers.
• The glass or plastic greenhouses can
contain equipment such as screening
installations, heating, cooling and
lighting, and may be automatically
controlled by a computer.

4. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Greenhouse
Materials
Plastic
Shade Cloth

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6. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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7. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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8. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Production
• Most vegetables
require ground
beds
• Raised benches are
used in the
production of pot
crops and transplants

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Production
• Raising the benches above the
ground allows air to flow more
freely around the crop and
permits a warmer root-zone
temperature to be maintained.
• A framework of pipe constructed
above a regular bench allows for
hanging baskets to be grown
above another crop

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Production

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13. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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14. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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15. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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16. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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17. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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18. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Benches
 The most important quality of a bench is its
capacity for rapid drainage.
 Any wood used in the construction of
greenhouse benches should be preserved with
some type of preservative.
 One determines the number and width of aisles
by finding the width of the carts needed in the
aisles, and whether the crop can be worked
from one side or needs to be accessible from
both.

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20. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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21. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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22. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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23. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Washington Career and Technology Center
High School Greenhouse

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Opelousas Lighthouse
Mission, Homeless
Men’s Shelter

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Watering and fertilizing
• Plugs should be
watered thoroughly in
the morning and spot
watered in mid-
afternoon
• Do not water in the
evening; foliage
should be dry to avoid
diseases
• Hand water
• Fertilizer needs will
depend on the crop
• Vegetable plugs are
usually fertilized with
liquid fertilizer (20-10-
20) or organic liquid
fertilizer.
• High P may promote
elongation

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Watering and Fertilizing
• Dip with Organic Liquid Fertilizer

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Watering and fertilizing

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29. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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30. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Sanitation
• Control weeds inside
and outside greenhouse
to avoid disease and
pests
• If reusing trays and pots,
wash them to remove
any soil and dirt
• Use 10% bleach solution
to disinfect pots
and surface

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Disease prevention
• Daily scouting to detect pests or
diseases
• Keeping it clean regardless of size
• Proper ventilation to prevent
damping off, therefore avoid
fungus gnats and shore flies
• Avoid algae growth by spreading
lime underneath benches

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33. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Pest Control

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35. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Cutworms
• Cut young stems near
soil line
• Active at night
• Hide under the soil or
under debris
• Might climb and chew
on green leaves or
fruits
• Hand pick
• Protect young plants
with physical barrier
• Use BT

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Alternatives to Chemicals

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Potting Mix
• Prepare by mixing ingredients
• Purchase ready to use

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Growing Media
• Purchase a soil-less mix suitable
for growing seedlings ( PRO-Mix
BX, Germination Mix).
• For organic seedlings, an organic
mix is needed ( commercial or
homemade) .
• Prepare your own mix, it is less
expensive

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Ready to use Potting Mix

40. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Preparing Potting Mix

41. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Basic Organic Mix
• ½ cu. yd.
sphagnum peat
½ cu. yd.
vermiculite
10 lbs. bonemeal
5 lbs. ground
limestone
5 lbs. bloodmeal
(source ATTRA)

42. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Alternative to Peat Moss
• Because of
environmental
concerns, there
are alternatives to
using peat moss
when making your
own mix
• Compost, adds
micronutrients to soil
• Coir or coconut fiber,
a sustainable
alternative to peat.
• Composted leaves
• Pine needles
Pine needle mulch is
popular where pine trees
are abundant

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An example: 72 plugs of broccoli
• Soiless mix Pro mix BX $0.56
• 72 plugs tray $1.00
• 100 seeds Arcadia Broccoli $0.77
• Total cost for 72plugs: $ 2.33
• Labor and fertilizer not included
• 1 tray from commercial grower:
$66.95 for 280 plugs.

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Economical analysis
• Promix 3.8 CU.FT $39.00
• 3.8 CU. FT yields 25 tray -4” pots
• Promix for 18- 4” $1.56
• 18- 4” pots $.86
• Cost soil+pot $2.42
• A 4” pot will sell between $1.00-2.50
• Price of Labor and seeds not
included

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Compost
• Animal manure
• Kitchen waste
• Composted
mulch
• Garden waste

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47. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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48. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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49. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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…even a pregnant woman can compost!

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51. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Seed and Plant Selection
• Open pollinated/ Hybrid
• Treated /Untreated
• Organic/Heirloom
• Resistance to diseases
• Variety selection
• Local/Catalogs/On line
Obtain the best seed money can buy!!!

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Sowing Seed in the Greenhouse
• The correct timing
of seed sowing is
very important
• Most seeds should
be sown 4 to 12
weeks prior to
transplanting.
• Be sure to harden
off before field
planting

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Sowing Seed
• Readiness for outdoor
planting will vary with
germination time,
growth rate and
weather conditions.
• Seed catalogs and
packets provide this
useful information.

54. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Sowing Seed (Cont’d.)
• Fill the container to within 1/4 inch of
the top with moistened seed-starting
medium.
• To keep the medium moist, and
birds and rodents away, cover the
tray.
• Once seedlings germinate,
remove the cover.
• Place the container in a location that
has high light intensity and cooler
temperatures.

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Heating pads to grow seedlings

56. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Sowing seed (cont’d)
• Sow very small seeds by sprinkling
on top of the medium and pressing
in.
• Sow medium-size and larger seed in
rows 1 to 2 inches apart, and 1/8 to
1/4 inches deep.
• Plant two or three seeds per cell or
pot. When they germinate, divide the
group into individuals.

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58. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Label and Date Your Trays

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Transplant Tray Selection
• Plug size influences
the field performance
• Larger transplants
result in better crops
in the field
• Larger plugs take
more greenhouse
space and are more
expensive
• We use 36 or 72
plugs/tray
• Trays must be
elevated from ground

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72 Cell Tray Plugs

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500 Cell Tray Plugs

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Jiffy Pot/ 50 per tray

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Recycled Pots and materials
Great school
activity

64. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Jiffy pots
can be
Individually
dispersed
or sold

65. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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66. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Finishing and Hardening Your Seedlings
• Reduce or increase the
temperature in the
greenhouse through
ventilation
• Reduce watering to let
plants wilt slightly
• Hold plants outside for
several days before
planting
• Planting in the field on a
cloudy day or late in the
evening when possible.

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68. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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Seedlings ready to be planted

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Uses of Transplants
• Commercial use
• School Gardens
• Community Gardens
• On-farm Research
• Farming/Gardening Workshops

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Growing for Market

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89. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
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The Many Uses of Transplants

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Contact Us
Mila Berhane, Senior Research Associate
Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Email: milagro_berhane@suagcenter.com or greenhand@cox.net
Stephanie Elwood, Extension Associate
Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Email: Stephanie_elwood@suagcenter.com