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Float Training for Agents

Float Training for Agents. May 2, 2013. Tray selection is a compromise between maximizing plants per unit area and final transplant size. 242 and 288 are most common Trays differ in density Single use trays (1 yr) Others (3 to 4 yrs). Tray filling (g media/tray).

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Float Training for Agents

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  1. Float Training for Agents May 2, 2013

  2. Tray selection is a • compromise between • maximizing plants per unit • area and final transplant • size. • 242 and 288 are most • common • Trays differ in density • Single use trays (1 yr) • Others (3 to 4 yrs)

  3. Tray filling (g media/tray) 17% less media per tray in NKY tray

  4. 1 hour wicking (% of media) 19% less wicking at 1 hr in NKY tray

  5. 24 hour wicking (% of media) 12% less wicking at 24 hr in NKY tray

  6. Dry Cells (%)

  7. Germination (%)

  8. Spiral Root (%)

  9. Spiral root

  10. Effects of covering on spiral roots, 2003 Danny Peek, Virginia Tech

  11. Effects of covering on usable transplants, 2003 Danny Peek, Virginia Tech

  12. Spiral Root • Still an occasional problem • Exact cause still unknown • Best grower practices • Dibble at least ½ in deep • Gently bump or shake trays after seeding • Cover lightly with media after seeding

  13. Germination • Optimum Temperature • 70° to 75°F • High end 90°F • Damage or kill germinating seeds • Low end 50°F • Delay germination • Uneven

  14. Transplant growth • Daytime temperatures • 70° to 80°F • Lower temp/Slower growth • Nighttime temperatures • 60° to 70°F range initially • 50° to 65°F • After four-leaf stage • Conserves heating costs

  15. Fertility • Water volume • Tray # X depth in inches X 1.64 • Example: 759 * 4.5 * 1.64 = 5600gal • Fertilization • Nitrogen • Amount • 100 ppm N ideal • 4.2 lbs/1000 gal • Calculations • 20-10-20 to get 100 ppm N • Water = 8.34 lb/gal • 8.34 X 1000 gal = 8340 lbs • 100 ppm = 1/10000 or .834 lb/ 1000 gal • 20-10-20 is 20% N. .834/20% or .834/.2 = 4.17 or 4.2 • If 15-5-15 - .834/.15 = 5.56 lbs.

  16. Estimating fertility • Conductivity - Measure of electrical flow • Units • mS milli-Siemens • 100 micro-Siemens or mmhos • Method • Take water source reading (ex. 0.4) • Measure fertilized water (ex. 1.3) • Know fertilizer conductivity (ex 20-10-10 is .33/50 ppm) or check chart • 1.3 – 0.4 = .9, .9/.33 = 2.73 • 2.73 * 50 = 136 ppm

  17. CONDUCTIVITY READINGSSTANDARDS CHART FOR 20-10-201 mS (DiST 4 meters) 1. TAKE WATER SOURCE READING (PLAIN WATER) 2. TAKE FERTILIZED WATER READING 3. SUBTRACT WATER SOURCE FROM FERTILIZED EXAMPLE: IF PLAIN WATER = .4 & FERTILIZED WATER = 1.4, 1.4-.4=10, PPM N = 150

  18. Soluble Salts Injury

  19. Source of Nitrogen • Nitrate • Best • Readily available form • Ammoniacal • Marginal • Ammonium form • Urea • Worst • Can convert to ammonia or nitrite which can be toxic to plants

  20. Insect Pests of Float Beds • Variegated cut worms • Significant damage in a short time • Feed at night rarely seen • Shore flies and Fungus gnats • More a nuisance • Aphids • Flea beetles • Check regularly and spray with acephate (Orthene)

  21. Float Bed Insect

  22. Float Bed Pests

  23. Occasional Pests of Float Beds • Slugs • Habitat destruction • Baits • Mice • Baits • Sow bugs • Habitat destruction • acephate

  24. Control • Gnats, Flies, Aphids, Cutworms, & Armyworms • Orthene or Acephate 75 SP • 1tsp/gal • Slugs • Metaldehyde Bait Pellets • Keep area free of plant debris, boards, paper, etc • Bloodworms • Keep Algae under control

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