Hydroponically grown chrysanthemum show good results in summer
Floats from Botman Hydroponics with young plants rooted in glue plugs (coco peat)
The cuttings were rooted in glue plugs made from coco peat and transplanted in floats from Botman Hydroponics. They were floating on a 30 cm deep nutrient solution which was aerated and circulated constanly.
Four varieties were tested: with ‘Alero’, ‘Euro’ and ‘Baltica’ the harvest rate was 100%, with ‘Bacardi’ 97%. This was the third trial Proeftuin Zwaagdijk conducted this year with the hydroponic culture of chrysanthemums. The first two trials also led to good results.
Between the trials the nutrient solutions were not renewed or disinfected.
Roots developed in nutrient solution
In the trials the level of the thrips' population was very low. Possibly this harmful insect has problems pupating in growing systems like this and therefore population growth is reduced or even completely suppressed.
A next step in the development of this growing system is rooting the cuttings without any substrate. Meanwhile experiments are conducted with sockets in which the cuttings can be rooted without substrate and which can be fixed in the floats. This technique will be optimized.
Summer trial just before harvest
The main objective behind these trials is the development of a sustainable growing system. The system is separated from the subsoil which reduces the emission of nutrients and pesticides to soil and (ground)water significantly.
The system is expected to lead to a substantial reduction of the use of chemical pesticides.
Companies involved are: Fred van Paassen, Green Simplicity, Bovebo, Dekker Chrysanten, Fides, Botman Hydroponics BV, KaRo BV, Van Iperen and the Chamber of Commerce/Innovatiemotor Greenport Aalsmeer.
For more information
Proeftuin Zwaagdijk
Tolweg 13
1681 ND Zwaagdijk
The Netherlands
www.proeftuinzwaagdijk.nl