Fertilization Of Your Greenhouse

Plants need fertilizer to grow to optimum levels. However, if you are growing a greenhouse garden, you will need a certain style and technique to get the job done. There are a number of approaches that will help you get the best results, without having to spend to much time, money and effort.

It is equally important to sort out the different resources, so you can save more. Here are some tips and tricks used by experts.

About Fertilizers

Growers use bulk tank systems or injection systems to create the same choices when determining fertilizers. The first choice depends on the use of either commercially blended, premixed fertilizer, or individual fertilizers. You can weigh each to get the desired level of every segment. Self-blended or premixed combinations can be used with either bulk tanks or injectors. The benefit of a premixed fertilizer is primarily convenience, since the right ingredients are already mixed to the right proportions. The grower just weighs then dilutes the right amount of fertilizer in the water in the concentrate or bulk tank.

Individual fertilizers, provide the grower the added flexibility of choosing ingredients to focus on the fertilization program. An injector system will best for this approach, although the process is still effective using bulk tanks. Buying fertilizers for individual ingredient use is more cost-effective compared to premixed kinds.

About the Bulk Tank

The bulk tank system incorporates a big tank made of steel, plastic, concrete, PVC or polyvinyl chloride, etc. to hold the dilute fertilizer solution.

The diluted solution is directly pumped into the growing medium with no added dilution.

The injector system includes a small tank that holds very concentrated solutions of fertilizer. The small injector pump measures the concentrate into the water supply line whenever the plants are watered.

Which Tank to Get

One greenhouse bay can be sufficed with a 100-gallon tank, while many greenhouses will have to depend on a 2,000 gallon tank. The bigger the tank, the less frequent you need to fill it. If the tank is too big, it takes some time for it to empty. You will then delay adjustments to the mix as necessary. For new growers, the bulk tank system is more convenient and leads to less mistakes.

About the Premixed Type

When you get premixed fertilizers, you will also get mixing and use directions. Mixing fertilizer involves adding several units of dry fertilizer for every volume of water. The fertilizer should be fully dissolved in water, because settled out fertilizer or precipitate cannot reach the growing plants. It may be needed to stir the solution using a circulation pump, paddle or an electric mixer. If precipitation is difficult, the fertilizer can be premixed using a small amount of hot water. You should provide proper care to check the EC or electro conductivity and pH of the solution whenever you mix a new batch, to add extra protection for mistakes.

Using the Injector System

An injector or proportioner is used to dilute the fertilizer solution when using an injector system. The cheapest and simplest form of injector is the siphon hose proportioner, usually included for fertilizing garden plants and lawns. The siphon hose includes a non-adjustable ratio of 1:16 and is not ideal for commercial production of greenhouse plants. There are different model available depending on your budget and preferences. Accuracy often determines the price of injectors. Affordable types have varying injection ratios, based on the water pressure. The fertilizer solution can be pumped straight from the concentrate tank to the injector, being diluted in the water stream and towards the blending tank. The irrigation system is the last stop.

Knowing the Limits

Fertilizers can fully dissolve. If it does not, it can leave precipitates in the tank and plants will lack proper nutrition. Solubility limits are described as the maximum limits as to how much of the fertilizer can dissolve in water. Putting too much fertilizer in a volume of water will only leave precipitates, and plants not getting the right dosage. Solubility limits may not be a hindrance for a number of fertilizers used in growing tomatoes in a greenhouse. Potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate, however, may experience problems.