Plant Nutrition for Greenhouse Crops

This program originally scheduled for Nov. 1 (cancelled due to power outages) has been rescheduled  for Nov. 29.

Registration Form to Print and Mail ($40 to register by mail with check)

On-Line Registration Using Credit Card ($45 to register on-line)
There is an additional charge of $5.00 added for on-line registration. There is a non-refundable service charge for each credit card registration if you should cancel.

9:00 – 9:30    Registration and Coffee

9:30 - 10:15     Understanding the Chemistry of Plant Nutrition: Nutrients, pH, Soluble Salts
Brian Krug, UNH

What is the science of plant nutrition? This session will include how specific nutrients, pH and soluble salts affect plant growth.

10: 15 – 11:00   How Water Quality Relates to Fertilizer Selection and Soil Fertility
Fred Hulme, Everris

Water quality and fertilizer selection go hand in hand. Fred will help growers to understand water test results including alkalinity and pH and how it relates to their fertilizer program.

11:00 – 11:15  Break

11:15 - 12:00     Water Soluble Fertilizers (Organic and Chemical)
Douglas Cox, University of Massachusetts

12:00 – 1:00     Lunch – On your own (nearby restaurants or bring your own)

Concurrent Sessions

1:00 - 1:45     Nutrient Management for Organic Greenhouse Tomatoes and Greens
                        Grown in the Ground
Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont

Attention to soil fertility and plant nutrition are essential in order to obtain good yields of   high quality fruit with organic production systems. Vern will talk about preparing the soil and providing proper plant nutrition for plants grown in the ground.

1:00 - 1:45     Nutrient Management for Spring Ornamentals Grown in Soilless Mixes
                        and Using Chemical Fertilizers
Douglas Cox, University of Massachusetts

A large variety of ornamental crops are grown for spring markets. Their optimum pH and nutritional needs also vary. Doug will help you sort out the maize of products to best manage spring crops grown in soilless mixes using water soluble fertilizers.

Concurrent Sessions

1:50 - 2:50     Nutrient Management for OrnamentalsGrown Organically in Pots and Paks
Douglas Cox, University of Massachusetts

Doug has been conducting research on using organic growing media and fertilizers on spring ornamental crops and will share his expertise on the subject.

1:50 – 2:50     Nutrient Management for Greenhouse Tomatoes and Greens
                        Grown in Soilless Mixes Using Chemical Fertilizers
Dan Jacques, Sungro Horticulture

Dan will provide recipes for success using commercially available soilless mixes and fertilizers to grow greenhouse tomatoes and greens.

2:50 – 3:00     Break

3:00 – 4:00      Identifying Nutritional Disorders and How to Correct Them
Brian Krug, University of New Hampshire

1 Pesticide Credit has been approved for this session.

Symptoms of nutritional disorders can be confused with diseases or cultural problems. Brian will help growers sort out problems caused by poor plant nutrition and how growers can correct some of the common and not so common nutritional problems in ornamentals and greenhouse tomatoes.

For more information contact:

Tina Smith, University of Massachusetts, 413-545-5306, tsmith@umext.umass.edu
Paul Lopes, University of Massachusetts, 508-295-2212 ext. 24, lopes@umext.umass.edu

Location