| | We had a beautiful summer, and light levels were so good that I am expecting above average yields this year. Light is the most fundamental requirement for plants. I am expecting that in the case of beef stake tomatoes, we will achieve above 60 kg/m2 and in the case of TOV we will achieve close to 50 kg/m2. Expect higher yields on cucumber and peppers, as well.
With summer officially going out on September 21st, it is the start of fall weather. In order to maintain good productivity and good quality, pay attention to the following aspects:
Seedless cucumbers
- Build a strong plant with large leaves initially by removing the fruit from the first 5-6 nodes.
- Pay attention to the fact that light is reduced and that will require adjustments to total water and water timin
- Night temperature is 21-22C, day 24C.
- Once flowering is slowed or stopped, reduce night temperature to 17-18C, and reduce day temperature to 21-22C.
- Based on declining light, adjust 24 hour average temperature during September from 21 to 21.5C, October 20 to 20.5C and November 20C.
- For disease control use ramping from night to day, increase 1 degree per hour.
Remember that on clear cold nights, tissue temperatures drop below air temperature and sufficient time is required for plant and fruit temperatures to reach day time set points without forming condensation. If you are using energy curtains at night time, then it will be less of an issue.
- Because of the sharp decrease in light intensity during the fall, available light should be used optimally with maximum carbon di oxide levels. Target optimum 1000 to 1200 ppm and a minimum of 400 ppm, when vents are open.
Here is an example from a grower, of good light penetration, to newly planted fall crop, while old crop is still producing. Such a cropping system benefits greatly from maintaining optimum carbon di oxide levels. Notice how leaves have been removed from the older crop.
- Major adjustments are needed in irrigation and feed. Water needs vary greatly from day to day. After the 21st of September, when the light starts going less than 12 hours, first watering should not be started before 9:00 a.m. in good light. If it is cloudy, then delay it to 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. Last watering in good light, should be around 5:00 p.m. and around 4:00 p.m. when it is cloudy and less light.
- Target fed E.C. 3.0 to 3.5 mS/cm in the coir slab. As light levels decrease, increase E.C. in the slab to maintain fruit quality. In October, go to slab E.C. of 4.0 and November close to 4.5.
- Increase micronutrients by 25%.
- Maintain VPD between 4 and 7.
- Remember cucumber development requires a minimum of 350 joules/cm2 per day for normal growth.
Similar strategies can be applied to tomatoes and peppers. If you need specific information on these vegetables, please contact me.
Energy matters:
I try to include information from different companies relating to energy matters. I know you may be a little relaxed that predictions for natural gas prices are lower than last year, but it could change in a hurry. A cold winter in U.S. may deplete gas reserves and the price goes up. Good time to plan. I have been talking to this company and am including some information on their business. There may be other similar companies as well. I know at the AGGA Board Meeting in September, another company, IQ2 Power was also interested in Bulk Utility supply. I have invited CEG to come to the Green Industry Conference, as well, and thus connect with the industry.
“Since 1987, CEG Energy Options Inc., has been providing seamless and aggressively priced natural gas supply to commercial, institutional, and industrial gas users in Western Canada. CEG has offices in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. As a subsidiary of Seminole Canada Gas Company, Canada’s leading independent gas marketing company, CEG has daily access to some of the best market intelligence and pricing tools in the energy industry and the ability to service customer’s requirements across the country.
CEG’s goal is to provide you with the peace of mind of having a reliable supply of natural gas at a price that you can count on. CEG Energy delivers a very proven method that has consistently saved our customers significant amounts of money on their natural gas costs. For additional information, please contact Stephan Brandt at CEG Energy, either via cell-phone at (403) 969-0628 or by email at: sbrandt@cegenergy.com. Check out their website at: www.cegenergy.com or, better yet, Google them and see that they have a long successful track record built on trust and integrity. |
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