Greenhouse visits, conference seminars, trade shows and the Internet are all good tools for obtaining information, but one has to remember that many times the presentations are crop-specific or refer to \u201cideal conditions\u201d that may not fit into your production plan. When gathering information from any of the top venues, if we don\u2019t ask the right questions or request clarification on specific points, we are quite often left with partial bits of information that can eventually create misunderstandings. In this month\u2019s article, I would like to review some of the more common fallacies I come across during greenhouse visits. I will expand on such misconceptions involving mixes and substrates, misconceptions regarding the efficacy of chemicals, misconceptions about watering practices, misconceptions about controlled release fertilisers (CRFs) and, last but not least, misconceptions about water pH and its effect on soil pH.<\/strong><\/p>\n Contrary to this assumption, a good mix must provide the proper balance of different pore sizes to ensure both water retention and air movement. Pore size affects available water, initial drainage and sufficient water distribution. This balance between aeration and water retention is directly related to the types of ingredients and their proportions in the mix.<\/strong> A particle size distribution that provides an adequate balance of air and water is crucial.<\/p>\n When pest and disease issues persist despite a barrage of chemicals, it is time to assess your pest management programs as well as your application methods. Properly identify and understand the life cycle of the pest in question. Understand the product being applied: During which stage of the life cycle is it effective? Read the label carefully, paying particular attention to precautionary notes, phytotoxicity warnings and cautions regarding tank mixing. Maintain spray and application equipment, especially nozzle orifice size; due to the abrasiveness of wettable powder formulations, the orifice size can increase, thus affecting the size distribution of spray particles.<\/strong> Finally, choose the right time of the day to apply each chemical and target the proper part of the plant.<\/p>\n Remember that watering habits are critical to the success of any crop: they should take into account your media choice and its aeration and drainage properties. Plants thrive on oxygen in the root zone and respond negatively to too much water in the soil. If the chosen mix is too tight, water does not drain quickly enough and excess water quickly begins to kill the fine root hairs near the bottom of the container.<\/strong> The longer the soil remains wet, the larger the diameter of the roots killed. As I explained above for other chemicals, most often it is not so much a question of unpredictability as it is a lack of full understanding of the product. Controlled release fertilizers are designed to release small amounts of nutrients over an extended period of time; the rate of release is based on a specific soil temperature. Temperatures below or above the designed control temperature will definitely have an effect on the actual rate of nutrient release. When in doubt, contact the sales representatives of the product you wish to use to gain a better understanding of the product and how it works.<\/p>\n Take the time to understand the difference between \u201chigh pH\u201d and \u201chigh alkalinity\u201d. Alkalinity refers to the capacity of water to resist a change in pH. The main components of water alkalinity are carbonates (CO32\u00af), bicarbonates (HCO3\u02c9) and soluble hydroxide (OH\u00af). These components react with hydrogen ions (H+) and prevent them from lowering the pH of the media. High alkalinity exerts the greatest effects on the pH of growth media and on plant fertility.<\/strong> On the other hand, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, based on the altering effects that the carbonates found in the water have on the media.<\/p>\nFallacy no<\/sup>1<\/span><\/h4>\n
All Mixes Are the Same<\/h3>\n
Fallacy no<\/sup>2<\/span><\/h4>\n
Pesticides & Fungicides Are as Effective as They Are Made out to Be<\/h3>\n
\nFallacy no<\/sup>3<\/span><\/h4>\n
My Watering Practices Are Sufficient<\/h3>\n
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\n<\/div>\nFallacy no<\/sup>4<\/span><\/h4>\n
CRFs Are Unpredictable<\/h3>\n
Fallacy no<\/sup>5<\/span><\/h4>\n
High Water pH Increases Soil pH<\/h3>\n