How You Can ID Water Problems in the Greenhouse Before They Start

Posted by Brian Sparks|March 6, 2020

Did you ever wonder how water related disease issues in the greenhouse just seem to pop up out of nowhere? You’ve never had a problem before, but suddenly things just aren’t looking right.

The truth is that problems often go unnoticed while pathogen levels are low. Knowing potential inoculum sources and practicing good preventative measures can help to reduce the risk of a bigger problem, according to a recent blog post (the first of a series) on the On Floriculture website of the Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs.

Your irrigation water can be a potential source of inoculum. In your own operation, you might rely on rainwater, well water, or city water. Your water sources might also change throughout the year, depending on your production needs and the availability of any given source.

Knowing the quality of your water is a must for avoiding problems. The cost of a regular water test may be worth it if you can avoid costly applications of corrective fungicides. Aim to take at minimum seasonal samples of your water to ensure that it is free from contaminates. Knowing the attributes of your irrigation water can also help you to tailor your fertigation program.

Learn more by reading the complete post here.