In the latest ornamental update, technical sales manager Richard Cameron, discusses preparing ornamental crops for the autumn/winter season with OMEX.
Growing Conditions
Growing during this time of year, with lower temperatures and less daylight hours, means ornamental crops require extra attention.
General feeding should still continue, but growers need to monitor watering levels, with a lower requirement needed during autumn/winter. Having worked with growers over many years, at OMEX we understand the importance of foliar feeding during the colder months, as an essential tool in maintaining plant health and quality.
The standard feeding programme at this time of year utilises the O-Mix soluble powder fertiliser range, particularly the 15-5-30 or the 20-8-20 range supplying the crop with the required ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – key to growing high quality plants.
The power of bio products
Our biostimulant range of products, such as Bio 18, Bio 20 and Kelpak, have been tailored to deliver the most effective levels of nutrition the crop needs whilst supplying a growth boosting biostimulant.
Bio 20 used at 1-2 ml per litre of water can be applied alongside agrochemicals to reduce water use and maximise efficiency within the spray programme.
Bio 20 and Bio 18+Fe, which has a high iron inclusion rate of 3%/L (w/v), are superb at retaining greenery, and keeping root growth at optimum levels thanks to the inclusion of the seaweed based Kelpak biostimulant.
The OMEX biostimulant product range contains a high level of Trace Elements, which are key in maintaining balanced plant growth.
- Molybdenum is added to mixes for Poinsettias and Cyclamen helping to reduce misshaped leaves and necrosis particular to Poinsettias.
- Iron is another element that will help keep plants greener but due to its general immobility you should look out for interveinal chlorosis in the new growth. This can also indicate higher pH levels or growing media too wet.
- Calcium again is crucial for plants such as Poinsettia. helping to strengthen the general structure of the crop. Calcium in the form of Calmax Ultra is a cost effective method. at 1-2 mls per L of water, to incorporate it into the plant directly to the point required.
- Sulphur, Zinc and Copper are also key nutrients helping with the plants own natural defence systems. Zynergy contains all 3 of these elements and should be used prophylactically to help the plants natural health at 1-2 mls per litre of water. Particularly useful in winter months when again little water is required.
Root Growth
Rooting is key, a message the OMEX team have continuously echoed. Kelpak, is an excellent solution for promoting root growth and therefore uptake of key nutrients. Including polyamines and phlorotannins, Kelpak should be used at the earliest opportunity to encourage rooting at plug and transplant stages.
During the winter months rooting becomes increasingly important. A well-developed root system is essential to support the plant’s vigour and produce plant secondary compounds required to fight infection and eliminate nutrient deficiencies. Studies have shown that nutrient uptake and photosynthesis have both been enhanced using OMEX’s biostimulant range.
Peat Free Growing Media
Where peat reduced or peat free mixes are being used, OMEX strongly recommends the use of a growing media additive. Catalyst is OMEX’s latest development, helping peat free act more like peat.
Catalyst has been tried and tested to alleviate poor rooting, increase shelf life and increase microbial action into the root zone. By encouraging rooting and microbial activity Catalyst is helping improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce excessive fertiliser usage, in line with our Greener Planet Commitment.
Catalyst is simple to apply as a standalone drench or with your fertigation feed. Apply once per week from potting/sowing every week at a rate of 200ml-750ml per 100L of stock solution dosed at 1:100 (1%) Combine with Kobra water improver at 100ml per 100L of stock solution dosed at 1:100 (1%) to ensure excellent re-wetting and water distribution.
Monitoring plant production
Whilst nutrient management is crucial in crop development, we’re here to support you in ensuring your growing production is delivering the best results:
- Please remember to check all feeding equipment is in good working order. Badly set up irrigation rigs can cause many problems.
- Water stress is crucial as too little and not enough nutrient uptake and too much high salt accumulation can occur.
- Monitor pH levels of both the feed supplied and in the growing media as a sub-optimal pH in either location can be antagonistic to nutrient uptake.
- General hygiene is just as important keeping foliage as dry as you can to avoid foliar diseases such as mildews and botrytis’s.
- Monitor crop development with soil, compost, water and SAP sampling to ensure you’re utilising the correct nutritional plan.
As always, we’re here to support you in growing excellent quality crops. To get in touch to arrange a phone call or a visit to your nursery, fill in your details below.
