Do we take enough care of plants when there is no market for flowers?

Do we take good care of human being when he is ill and not able to work? The answer is of
course yes! Then why do we neglect the plants which are as living as human beings? Why do
we neglect the crop in greenhouse during the period of poor market? Again the answer is
very simple to reduce the cost of production! However; neglecting the crop during this period
leads to irreversible damage to the crop and eventually hamper the crop performance when you
need flowers to cater high demand of market. And therefore; every grower needs to maintain
the crop with minimum inputs wherein the cost is under control and the plants are ready
whenever you need them to perform.
Following are few tips which will make greenhouse management cost effective & maintain
plant healthy and physiologically fit for upcoming season:

Basal Dose: One year and more old plants should be given an additional basal dose at
the beginning of lean season.
Deleafing: This is the process of removal of old and damaged leaves. The lower non
functional leaves; which are either dead or over matured, should be removed and
discarded. The crop canopy microclimate should be maintained though.
Disbudding: This is the process of removal of the flower buds. This operation should be
carried out since these blooms will only deplete the plant nutrients.
Fertigation with low EC: The fertigation with low EC will help the crop to sustain and
carry out its basic physiological activities and reduce fertilizer costs as well.
Moisture Content: Wapsaor the optimum moisture condition should never be
compromised. During this period; under no circumstances should the plants be exposed
to any biotic or abiotic stress.
Silicon Spray: Silicon being an anti-stress element will safe guard the plants against any
untoward stress.
Rooting Hormone: Humic acid drenching; once in 10 days, will also prove useful in the
root formation.
Preventive sprays: Depending on the existing climatic conditions; regular preventive
sprays with Fungicides and Insecticides should be carried out. Regular scouting for
pests and diseases should be carried out on priority basis.
Soil and water analysis: Once the lean period is over; the EC and pH of the soil should
be tested before starting with the full fledged fertigation schedule
Note: The regular fertigation schedule has to be commenced two weeks prior to the
demand of flowers in the market!

GEARING UP FOR THE MONSOON

Just like other season monsoon season also brings along its fair share of challenges; which if not
attended timely, can pose threat to the crops inside the greenhouse. And they are such as: Limited
interception of Photo synthetically Active Radiation into the greenhouse due to overcast skies,
Humidity stagnation, soggy soil condition for prolonged period etc. These unfavorable greenhouse
conditions make it highly conducive for the survival and multiplication of pests and diseases.
Following are the guidelines which would help in reducing the adverse effects.
1) Light: During monsoon light becomes the limiting factor. To clean plastic top before the onset of
monsoon is very important! Once the monsoon sets in; keep the shade nets open throughout the day
to use the available light which penetrates the plant canopy. This will optimize the bud initiation
and enhance the evaporation of excessive soil moisture.
2) Air circulation: Irrespective of monsoon (and especially during monsoon), the side curtains
should be kept as open as possible to facilitate ample air circulation inside the polyhouse to prevent
hot pockets. This will also reduce the high levels of humidity & therefore reduce the risk of diseases
like Botrytis, Powdery Mildew, Leaf spot etc.
3) Foliage/Vegetation canopy: Kindly maintain 18 to 20 leaves and regularly remove extra leaves to
avoid overcrowding. This will facilitate air movement around the plants. While de-leafing; only the
lower and old leaves should be gently removed without causing any mechanical injury to the crown
portion. Varieties having dense foliage; to facilitate aeration at the crown portion, the foliage near
the crown portion should be slightly pressed to expose the crown portion.
4) Disease prevention: Weekly preventive spray schedule has to be carried out to minimize
possibility of fungal and bacterial infection. Especially in Carnation; preventive drenching of
systemic fungicide (at an interval of 15 days) should be carried out to avoid Fusarium and Rhizoctonia
infection.
5) Drenching: Kindly apply half of the regular amount of water a day before and the day after
drenching. Do not irrigate the plants on the day of drenching.
6) Pest monitoring: Scouting & preventive action for pests should be followed regularly as advised.
7) Water and nutrient management: Since the quantity of water is reduced; the fertilizer dosage
should also be reduced proportionately! Foliar sprays will be better to fulfill the nutrient
requirement of the plants; however, foliar sprays should not be applied during evening hours.
8) Water sanitation and nematode prevention: Make sure to have deep trench to avoid flood water
getting inside the polyhouse which might cause nematode infection later. To prevent nematode
infestation; soil application of Furadan granules @ 15 gm / m2 and drenching of Benlate, Oncol and
Metacid alternately at an interval of 15 days should be done. To keep control on nematode
population; use of biological organisms like Paecilomyces and Trichoderma are highly recommended.
However; no chemical fungicides are administered 2 weeks prior or 20 days after the incorporation
of the biological agents.
9) Soil bed management: Addition of organic manures like neem cake, vermicompost, etc. will
improve the soil structure and C: N ratio for better quality of plants. Regular shallow raking of top
soil is beneficial to improve aeration in soil beds.