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The Power of Education
| Roger McGaughey
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>> Published Date: 6/15/2010
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 In early January when I took time to reflect on last year, I made some plans as to how to make the 2010 growing seasons better. What went wrong in the past and what improvements could I make to ensure more success in the year ahead? From a growing perspective, my biological controls, RootShield, nematodes and other BCAs, seemed to be working very well, so I concentrated on crop fertilization and other temperature and growth control aspects. It was back to basics.
I asked myself questions from the plants’ perspective: What are the really important factors that go into producing a quality crop? From the nutrition perspective, were we (our contract growers and myself) using the best fertilizer types relative to our water source? I have been using Jack’s fertilizer for some time and building up a good relationship with Cari Peters of J. R. Peters Inc. Following discussions with her, I arranged for water samples from all the nurseries to be sent to the Peters’ lab for testing. These results gave us a base level from which to work—specifically with relation to alkalinity and pH. Cari then came to our nursery where we held a mini-seminar for the whole group, and as a result, everyone had a better understanding of plant nutrition. Cari also made specific fertilizer recommendations for each nursery’s water source.
At this meeting we stressed the continual checking of our equipment, as well as constant monitoring of our injectors and EC/pH and soluble salt levels via in house soil testing. The lab is available for more detailed analysis and advice as needed. Cari recommended the best fertilizer rates to use for the specific crops being grown. We stressed the use of a low-level constant liquid feed program rather than using too much clear water. When we water too much on short-term spring crops, there is not enough reaction time when the plant turns yellow and basically tells you that it’s hungry.
I am pleased to report that in some cases the results were positively staggering—a night-and-day difference. Crop quality improved tremendously and the real joy was that the growers recognized the changes and felt proud of the results.
Good nutritional plant growth also needs correct temperature and PGR control. To this end, we were fortunate enough to have Rick Yates, Griffin Grower Services (GGSPro) technical manager, available for an onsite one-day seminar for all the contract growers. My BCA scout and my trainee grower also attended this educational event.
This was a very informational session and everyone found Rick’s presentation interesting, leading to many useful discussions at the meeting. This get-together was also aimed at building a relationship between the growers and an outside technical department. If we get immersed in our own little world and stuck in our ways, success is sometimes hard to come by. There is a lot of information available out there and sometimes all you have to do is ask the right questions. It also helps to know the person you are posing the questions to. Since this meeting, there have been lots of emails and photos passing back and forth between the growers and the GGSPro department. Everyone has benefited as a result.
As grower manager, I have a responsibility to train and educate my grower assistants. They are potential future growers. Miguel, my current grower assistant, has done very well this spring, benefitting from the educational seminars he attended. He has been given a position of responsibility and also helps out on weekends. It’s always better to have growing continuity on the seventh day of the week rather than bringing in someone who doesn’t know the specific plant needs.
To produce quality plants on a consistent basis we need to learn as much as possible about how they grow. It’s encouraging to know that there are people out there who love what they do and are happy and willing to help in our quest for perfection. GT
Roger McGaughey, head grower at Michael’s Greenhouses in Cheshire, Connecticut, was educated in Northern Ireland and England and has 34 years experience as a grower.
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