How will you nurse your cyclamen through the summer?

Most of this seasons cyclamen have already been potted on. We have put together some tips to help you grow a successful crop.
1. Pest control
2. Climate control in hot conditions
3. Watering, EC and pH control

Pest control

To keep the numbers of insects in and around the greenhouse low, make sure you remove weeds in and around the greenhouse and that you mow the grass regularly. Draw up a scouting plan to ensure you detect insects in good time, allowing you to take the necessary measures. A number of new pest control products have recently been introduced. Discuss the pest control options with your crop protection adviser.
If you had problems with the Duponchelia fovealis (European pepper moth) in previous years, hang up pheromone traps in good time and start applying regular pest control measures from the beginning of the cultivation.

Climate control in hot conditions

In hot weather we recommend keeping the greenhouse as cool as possible. Applying whitening to the deck will help the temperature in the greenhouse remain more stable. Depending on the shade cloths present, this may be a thinner or thicker layer (for example: Reduheat or Redusol respectively).
Keep the shade cloths closed to keep as much heat out of the greenhouse as possible. Regularly wetting the concrete paths and empty tables during the day will also help reduce the greenhouse temperature and will increase the RH. You can further cool the crop by misting lightly in the morning and early afternoon.
Note: The crop must be dry again by the end of the afternoon!

In extremely hot weather, try not to space the plants too far apart. If you do have to space the plants further apart, freshen them up in the morning with a mist or spray.

Watering, EC and pH control

During cultivation, make sure you check the EC and pH regularly during cultivation so you are aware of any fluctuations in the values, allowing you to make the necessary adjustments in good time.
In hot and very dry conditions reduce the EC in the water gift to prevent the EC in the pot becoming too high. The general rule is to reduce the EC by 0.2-0.5 units if the watering frequency increases due to considerable evaporation from the plants.

In the absence of rain you may have a shortage of irrigation water. Start using water from alternative sources, from a well or ditch, in good time so the transition is gradual. Analyse samples from your alternative water source so you are aware of its quality.
If you need to lower the pH, phosphoric or sulphuric acid are the preferred agents. Strong acidification with nitric acid will increase the amount of nitrogen in the water gift, which may cause a growth spurt in the crop.
Ask your fertilization specialist to help you adjust your fertilization to your alternative water source.

For further information, feel free to contact our Growing Support team!
E-mail:
Tonkoers@schoneveld.nl
Diegopoot@schoneveld.nl
Haylamers@schoneveld.nl
Nicodehaan@schoneveld.nl

Or call our general phone number +31 571 271 717

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