ISHS Acta Horticulturae 481: International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics
CHRYSANTHEMUMS GROWN IN HYDROPONICS; TOWARD DEVELOPMENT OF A COST EFFECTIVE, AUTOMATED PRODUCTION SYSTEM |
| Author: | R. Hansen |
| Keywords: | Nutrient Film Technique, Dendranthema grandiflora |
| Abstract:
A modified Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is being developed for production of cut chrysanthemums. The system includes: 1) rooting of cuttings directly in a rigid growing channel without any growing media, thus eliminating the cost of the transplant media and related labour, 2) small (3.2 x 3.2 cm internal cross-section), cost effective channels, that allow for high initial plant densities when channels are placed close together, 3) channels outfitted with removable plant support mechanisms that eliminate the need for crop support for first 6 to 8 weeks and allow for simple cleaning and reuse after harvest, and 4) channels on transportable benches without a fixed-line nutrient solution supply, thus allowing movement of the crop at any time, so that all labour inputs can occur in a central, customized location. Preliminary analysis of the economic benefits of the NFT mum system indicates that the combined benefits of the production system and the transportable bench technology would result in an increase in production of mum stems per unit area of greenhouse by 50%. In addition to the production increase, many of the per unit production costs i.e. labour and materials, would be decreased. The simple payback on the capital investment is estimated to be 5 years. | |
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