Considerations for fine-tuning your fertilizer program

How do you typically fertilize floriculture crops in your greenhouse? Based on how the plant performs? Maybe based on recommendations from your consultant or supplier? Do you do it the way it’s always been done? Do you know why it was always done that way?

We know from a few studies that floriculture crops are often over-fertilized. While this may not result in any harm to the plant, fertilizer is often a significant cost of production. A few studies have also indicated that high nitrogen levels might contribute to higher pest populations in the greenhouse. The extra nitrogen is transported through the plant and is available for feeding; whether or not it makes the plant tastier is up for debate.

So, higher nitrogen levels may not be affecting your crop but higher pest populations require more pest management inputs (like biological control agents and/or pesticides) and increase the likelihood for crop losses.

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