Increased fuel costs and colder than normal winters make heating costs a significant burden on many greenhouse operations. So, how can growers deal with high energy costs in the greenhouse? This publication covers energy conservation, alternative fuel choices, growing temperatures and production practices.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are chemicals that are designed to affect plant growth and/or development (figure 1). They are applied for specific purposes to elicit specific plant responses. Although there is much scientific information on using PGRs in the greenhouse, it is not an exact science. Achieving the best results with PGRs is a combination of art and science — science tempered with a lot of trial and error and a good understanding of plant growth and development. good understanding of plant growth and development.

Irrigation management of nursery crops grown in containers can be difficult since many factors influence the decision of when and how much to irrigate. These factors include weather, substrate properties, crop water use, crop canopy, irrigation system performance, and water quality. In making the decision to irrigate, many growers rely on their experience with the crop and the substrate in which it is grown, current weather conditions, or forecasts.