Teaching Organic Farming and Gardening

Propagation/Greenhouse Management

Unit 1.3 | 13
Instructor Lecture Outline

iv. Compost tea (dilute N-P-K and disease suppression)

v. Other supplemental liquid fertilizers accepted under OMRI/National Organic
Program standards

d) Modes of application

i. Dry ingredients are blended into mixes

ii. Soil-based application with irrigation, i.e. “fertigation”

iv. Foliar spray

C. Container Formats (see appendix 3, Examples of Propagation Containers)

1. Cell/plug trays

a) Advantages

b) Disadvantages

2. Traditional wooden flats

a) Advantages

b) Disadvantages

D. Pests and Pathogens in Propagation Facilities

1. Preventive measures

a) Sanitation of tools, facilities

b) Propagation media as sources of contamination or disease suppression

i. Biologically active, disease-suppressing media

ii. Sterile, soilless media

iii. Utilize heat/steam and solar pasteurization

c) Seed/plant stock as source of contamination

i. The use of disease-free seed/propagules

ii. Seed pretreatment

2. Good cultural practices

a) The use of pest/disease-resistant varieties

b) Growing crops at appropriate seasonal junctures

c) Managing environmental conditions to mitigate against pathogens and for optimal
plant growth

i. Temperatures

ii. Moisture management

iii. Air circulation

iv. Fertility management

3. Management for the early detection and treatment of pest/disease problems

a) Identification of pests and pathogens (see Resources section)

b) Establish tolerance thresholds for active treatments

c) Monitor at regular frequency: Plant observations, sticky traps, etc.

d) Rogue, cull, or quarantine infected crops and/or

e) Use of certified organic chemical or biological controls (see Resources section)

4. Common greenhouse pests and pathogens and their management for your area include

a) Pests:

b) Pathogens:

5. Other resources

a) Consulting with local growers regarding pest management strategies