Progress 09/01/20 to 12/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Strawberry growers Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project results are posted on scenicvalleyfarm.com and are conveyed to Wisconsin Berry Growers Association (WBGA). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The SBIR Phase 1 grant ended on Dec 31 2020. For 2021 as part of the continuing VGS R & D by SVF we plan to address the late season "Christmas tree" effect. During the last three years of the project starting around August the stacks started to turn yellow, red, orange and green. We dubbed it the "Christmas tree" effect. The plants we not healthy with berry yields reduced along with a reduction in the size of the berry. The plants where entering a cool down in the fall so since berries prefer cooler temperatures production should have been increasing. We initially believe the "Christmas tree" effect was caused by disease. So we treated for disease with minimal improvement. We contacted via Zoom a berry researcher, Amaya Atucha, at the Univ of Wisconsin and she thought we had a nutrient deficiency problem. We had previously performed tissue analysis which indicated a severe deficiency in nitrogen, somewhat deficiency in potassium, and several micro nutrients, We proceeded to foliar spray a fertilizer consisted of seaweed and fish emulsion. Again we saw some improvement. Amaya we should try fertilize through the roots. I told her our late season efforts in the past to inject fertilizer in the irrigation after a period of time resulted in clogged emitters in the drip line. By weekly flushing the lines with H2O2, Hydrogen Peroxide, should kill the bacteria clogging the emitters. For the 2021 we will test late season fertilizing using foliar spraying versus injecting via the irrigation drip lines. We have 26 stacks containing from 50-100 plant 13 stacks that we will foliar fertilize and 13 stacks we will fertilize through drip irrigation. As in the past we will twice a week record berry yields. We will also visual observe for signs of the Christmas tree effect. We had plan to submit a SBIR Phase 2 proposal in May but addressing and resolving the "Christmas tree" effect is a must prior to Phase 2. Phase 2 will consists of a much larger test sample with all we have learned in the last 6 years. Including the following: Developing of a pot "racking system" Once the racking system is developed create a large sample, 180 stacks in a high tunnel. The final report will address the phase 2 effort. We are now working with CA strawberry breeder, John Larse. We are getting our berries from his company, Sweet Darling. He is also helping on "How do CA berry growers produce day-neutrals from March into December".
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The SBIR Phase 1 grant ended on Dec 31 2020. For 2021 as part of the continuing VGS R & D we plan to address the late season "Christmas tree" effect. During the last three years of the project starting around August the stacks started to turn yellow, red, orange and green. We dubbed it the "Christmas tree" effect. The plants we not healthy with berry yields reduced along with a reduction in the size of the berry. The plants where entering a cool down in the fall so since berries prefer cooler temperatures production should have been increasing. We initially believe the "Christmas tree" effect was caused by disease. So we treated for disease with minimal improvement. We contacted via Zoom a berry researcher, Amaya Atucha, at the Univ of Wisconsin and she thought we had a nutrient deficiency problem. We had previously performed tissue analysis which indicated a severe deficiency in nitrogen, somewhat deficiency in potassium, and several micro nutrients, We proceeded to foliar spray a fertilizer consisted of seaweed and fish emulsion. Again we saw some improvement. Amaya we should try fertilize through the roots. I told her our late season efforts in the past to inject fertilizer in the irrigation after a period of time resulted in clogged emitters in the drip line. By weekly flushing the lines with H2O2, Hydrogen Peroxide, should kill the bacteria clogging the emitters. For the 2021 we will test late season fertilizing using foliar spraying versus injecting via the irrigation drip lines. We have 26 stacks containing from 50-100 plant 13 stacks that we will foliar fertilize and 13 stacks we will fertilize through drip irrigation. As in the past we will twice a week record berry yields. We will also visual observe for signs of the Christmas tree effect. We had plan to submit a SBIR Phase 2 proposal in May but addressing and resolving the "Christmas tree" effect is a must prior to Phase 2. Phase 2 will consists of a much larger test sample with all we have learned in the last 6 years. Including the following: Developing of a pot "racking system" Once the racking system is developed create a large sample, 180 stacks in a high tunnel. The final report will address the phase 2 effort. We are now working with CA strawberry breeder, John Larse. We are getting our berries from his company, Sweet Darling. He is also helping on "How do CA berry growers produce day-neutrals from March into December".
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 12/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Strawberry Growers Changes/Problems:The SBIR Phase 1 grant ended on Dec 31 2020. For 2021 as part of the continuing VGS R & D by SVF we plan to address the late season "Christmas tree" effect. During the last three years of the project starting around August the stacks started to turn yellow, red, orange and green. We dubbed it the "Christmas tree" effect. The plants were not healthy with berry yields reduced along with a reduction in the size of the berry. The plants where entering a cool down in the fall so since berries prefer cooler temperatures production should have been increasing. We initially believe the "Christmas tree" effect was caused by disease. So we treated for disease with minimal improvement. We contacted via Zoom a berry researcher, Amaya Atucha, at the Univ. of Wisconsin and she thought we had a nutrient deficiency problem. We had previously performed tissue analysis which indicated a severe deficiency in nitrogen, somewhat deficiency in potassium, and several micro nutrients, We proceeded to foliar spray a fertilizer consisted of seaweed and fish emulsion. Again we saw some improvement. Amaya we should try fertilize through the roots. I told her our late season efforts in the past to inject fertilizer in the irrigation after a period of time resulted in clogged emitters in the drip line. By weekly flushing the lines with H2O2, Hydrogen Peroxide, should kill the bacteria clogging the emitters. For the 2021 we will test late season fertilizing using foliar spraying versus injecting via the irrigation drip lines. We have 28 stacks containing from 50-100 plant 14 stacks that we will foliar fertilize and 14 stacks we will fertilize through drip irrigation. As in the past we will twice a week record berry yields. We will also visual observe for signs of the Christmas tree effect. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Website and soon to be blog. Maybe WI Fruit and Vegetable conf. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Final Report - Executive Summary Our goal during this project was to research methods to increase strawberry yields per plant in our Vertical Growing Strawberry (VGS) system. We did not only researchmethods but we also prototype some of these methods. A little history for the project. For the last 6 years our farmhave been performing research and development on growing strawberries in vertical stacked pots inside high tunnels/greenhouses. The Phase 1 SBIR grant supported our efforts in years 5 and 6. The high tunnels allowed strawberry berry production from May into December. Normal field grown strawberry production in the Upper Midwest occurs in June. So locally grown strawberries are only available in June. Vertical stacked pots can accommodate up to 120 plants. In field grown strawberries the 3' square footprint of a vertical stack will accommodate 9 plants. In other words over 10 times as many plants in the vertical stacked pots as in the field. The ultimate goal of the Vertical Grow Strawberry (VGS) project will be to increase the plant yield to 3#s of berries per plant. Field grown berries in CA average 3#s per plant. The results of phase 1 asof Dec 31, 2020, VGS system can grow 1.4#s per plant. Initially we started at 0.7#s per plant. We have determined that 2.2#s per plant is needed to make a profit planting in vertical stacked pots in high tunnels. Additional Phase 1 project results are: Optimized a substrate for the pots Determined the three best strawberry varieties Determined the best potting system that will eventually incorporate a metal racking system (designed and developed in Phase 2) Determined high tunnel cooling methods including shade cloth, water chilled system, exhaust and circulation fans all controlled by the Environmental Management System (EMS) Provided oxygenating irrigation water via dissolved oxygen. By adding LED lights increase the length of the growing system while additional stack lighting increasing plant berry yields. Cost will be a major factor in incorporating. In 2021 we plan to remedy the late season disease control and nutrient issues. This effort is not part of phase 1 but will be funded by the farm/company. Strawberry Growers have expressed interest using the VGS system. As a member of the Wisconsin Berry Growers Associate we have contacted fellow members. Many have expresses interest in the VGS. Many have interest in becoming involved in our R & D volunteering to establish sites to assist in testing. One strawberry grower indicated a desire to look at other ways to grow strawberries other than the field. In February 2019 at the Wisconsin Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference we had a booth with a single vertical stack pots of blooming strawberries. We had lots of interested from growers. We also had many individual people interested in one or two stacks to be placed on their outdoor patios, sun rooms, business foyers, part of educational curriculum. Additional Final Report information - The project has three main research objectives in support the goal of more than doubling the yields: 1. Increase yields by incorporating California growing methods, substrate modification and oxygenating the irrigation water. 2. Cool the high tunnel and soil based medium with evaporated cooling, shade cloth, whitewash, geothermal, and solar thermal. 3. Enlarge the berries during the hottest months of the summer. The anticipated commercial outcome of the research and development is a soil based vertical growing system that can be sold as a standalone product. The system will increase yields, improve quality, easily scale to various operational sizes, produce out of season strawberries, and provide high tunnel growers in the US with the knowledge and materials to adapt the technology for their own operation. The strawberry market - We have determine 350 - 30'x96' high tunnels with 180 vertical stacks and 20,000 strawberry plants in each tunnel will be needed to provide just 10% of the consumer consumed strawberries in the states of MN, WI, and IA from May through November. This is the total conventional and organic fresh strawberry consumer market. The VGS is being developed growing USDA Certified Organic strawberries. In 2020 we researched adding LED strips alongside of stack pots. The sample size was small, 3 stacks. We used Phillips GP LED Top lights. The purpose of the lights was to a augment sunlight in late October, November and December increasing yields while improving berry quality. In addition minimum sunlight reached some of the pots, especially the stack side not facing the sun and the bottom pots. We noticed a small increase in berry yields along with the berry color, white on top due to lack of sunlight became more red. Next year we plan to add more lights to make sample size larger. The SBIR Phase 1 grant ended on Dec 31 2020. For 2021 as part of the continuing VGS R & D by SVF we plan to address the late season "Christmas tree" effect. During the last three years of the project starting around August the stacks started to turn yellow, red, orange and green. We dubbed it the "Christmas tree" effect. The plants were not healthy with berry yields reduced along with a reduction in the size of the berry. The plants where entering a cool down in the fall so since berries prefer cooler temperatures production should have been increasing. We initially believe the "Christmas tree" effect was caused by disease. So we treated for disease with minimal improvement. We contacted via Zoom a berry researcher, Amaya Atucha, at the Univ. of Wisconsin and she thought we had a nutrient deficiency problem. We had previously performed tissue analysis which indicated a severe deficiency in nitrogen, somewhat deficiency in potassium, and several micro nutrients, We proceeded to foliar spray a fertilizer consisted of seaweed and fish emulsion. Again we saw some improvement. Amaya we should try fertilize through the roots. I told her our late season efforts in the past to inject fertilizer in the irrigation after a period of time resulted in clogged emitters in the drip line. By weekly flushing the lines with H2O2, Hydrogen Peroxide, should kill the bacteria clogging the emitters. For the 2021 we will test late season fertilizing using foliar spraying versus injecting via the irrigation drip lines. We have 28 stacks containing from 50-100 plant 14 stacks that we will foliar fertilize and 14 stacks we will fertilize through drip irrigation. As in the past we will twice a week record berry yields. We will also visual observe for signs of the Christmas tree effect. We plan to submit a SBIR Phase 2 proposal in 2022 In 2021 we will address and resolve the "Christmas tree" effect which is a must prior to Phase 2. Phase 2 will consists of a much larger test sample with all we have learned in the last 6 years. Including the following: Developing of a pot "racking system" made using galvanize steel and designed by Craig Carpenter of Structures Company. We are presently using a racking system made using dimension lumber, 2x2s and 2x4s. Once the racking system is developed create a large sample, 180 stacks in a high tunnel. Improve strawberry yields and size using 6 years of the VGS R & D including: a. Stacked pot development b. Substrate development c. Using three best berry varieties d. Drip irrigation development e Oxygenating irrigation water usingDennis Clark's O2 Grow system. f. Seasonal fertilizing and disease control using method developed in 2021 by SVF to eliminate the "Christmas tree" effect h. High tunnel cooling using shade cloth, water chilled unit incorporating geothermal i. Heating and cooling using SVF's SBIR Phase 2 solar thermal j. High tunnel systems control using SVF's SBIR Phase 2 Environmental Management System (EMS) controller
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Growers, urban farmersand researchers interested in a new innovative way of growing strawberries for 10 months a year in the upper midwest. Changes/Problems:No major changes just redesigned vertical stack pot system to a rack system. Limited testing in phase 1 with more testing in phase 2 required. New redesigned racking with tubs Old system with stacked pots What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?On 2019 we submitted 2 propsals to the CIG organzation relative to growing strawberries using a soil base vertical stacked pot growing system. These propasls were multistate effotrs with both growers and university researchers involved. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to analzed our 2019 research results and present findings. We plan to extend grant end date to 5/30/2020 and research and test a LED system develop by Phillips Lighting, to insease yields, extend the growing season and promote a more quality berry. We will submit a project mod to the budget to redirect funds to accomplish these tasks. We plan to get ready to submit a proposal for a SBIR Phase 2 grant using the research results from phase 1. For commercialization we plan to contact orrganic food coops in the Twin Cities, and large food grocery chains such as Lunds/Byerlys in the Twin Cities and Whole Foods nationwide to solicit interest in our berries. Some have already expressed interest and are buying the berries.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This report will cover the period from the last report, 8/31/19 to 12/15/19 . We continue to grow day neutral strawberries in our vertical stacked pot system. Twice a week we picked and recorded the yields. For the year over last year we notice an increase in yields. We have yet to place the yield data in a spreadsheet for analysis. Our research plot tested a number of variables including: 1) Pot size, 2) Substrate, 3) Berry varieties, 4) Oxygenating irrigation water We also research and tested different cooling the high tunnel below 85f incfluding: 1) Using shade cloth covering high tunnel when outside temperatures exceeded 80F, 2) Evaporated cooling, 3) water chill using geothermal. In December we stated the research and testing LED system to increase yields and help colorization and size of the berry. The results will be available for the next status report. In June the pots in the stack started collapsing on themselves due to the water log soil weight. We proceed to build a different vertical stack pot system using a stack of 6-15 gallon oval tubs. Another stack was build using 4 -40 gallon tubs, both stacks were supported by a wood rack system. We planted 120 strawberry plants in the tubs in each stack. Since the stacks were planted late we feel we did not get legitimate test results. In addition there was only one of each stack. The 40 gallon system did out yield the 15 gallon system. We need a larger sample in phase 2verify our conclusion. The potsdid not collapse during the growing season. We believe this be our vertical stack pot system for the future; On 12/1 we performed a brix (sugar) test on the strawberries. The brix level was 18. Off the scale for berries of any kind. They tasted like strawberry candy. The berries brix in July was 8. Sugar water brix at 22. Our goal for these December berries is to have consistent color, increase berry size and yields. On 12/15 we turned off the heat to the berry tunnel. We had been keeping the tunnel at a minimum of 40F. Overnight lows were OF, requiring too much propane gas to run the heaters. Last year the strawberries were planter 3/22, first harvested 5/28 and last harvested 12/15. During the late summer, August,the berries leaves started to turn yellow, orange and red. The berry yields also began to fall. We suspecteddisease and/or a lack of nutrients. We performed leaf tissue tests along with soil tests and compared to soil tests fromthe beginning of the year. We yet to receive the tissue test. The soil tests indicated deficiency in nitrogen and slight potassium defientcy. We started to foliage spray fish emulsion and seaweed on weekly bases. We observed a slight increase in berries appearance and yield. In November to increase yield and produce a better quality berry we started to look a LED. We did not complete the research andtesting due to end date of project and budget funds. In Nov we submitted a mod to extend the grant date to 5/30/20 and redirect existing project funding.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/19 to 05/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Growers, urban farmersand researchers interested in a new innovative way of growing strawberries for 10 months a year in the upper midwest. Changes/Problems:No major changes just redesigned vertical stack pot system to a rack system. Limited testing in phase 1 with more testing in phase 2 required. New redesigned racking with tubs Old system with stacked pots What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?On 2019 we submitted 2 propsals to the CIG organzation relative to growing strawberries using a soil base vertical stacked pot growing system. These propasls were multistate effotrs with both growers and university researchers involved. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to analzed our 2019 research results and present findings. We plan to extend grant end date to 5/30/2020 and research and test a LED system develop by Phillips Lighting, to insease yields, extend the growing season and promote a more quality berry. We will submit a project mod to the budget to redirect funds to accomplish these tasks. We plan to get ready to submit a proposal for a SBIR Phase 2 grant using the research results from phase 1. For commercialization we plan to contact orrganic food coops in the Twin Cities, and large food grocery chains such as Lunds/Byerlys in the Twin Cities and Whole Foods nationwide to solicit interest in our berries. Some have already expressed interest and are buying the berries.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This report will cover the period from the last report, 8/31/19 to 12/15/19 . We continue to grow day neutral strawberries in our vertical stacked pot system. Twice a week we picked and recorded the yields. For the year over last year we notice an increase in yields. We have yet to place the yield data in a spreadsheet for analysis. Our research plot tested a number of variables including: 1) Pot size, 2) Substrate, 3) Berry varieties, 4) Oxygenating irrigation water We also research and tested different cooling the high tunnel below 85f incfluding: 1) Using shade cloth covering high tunnel when outside temperatures exceeded 80F, 2) Evaporated cooling, 3) water chill using geothermal. In December we stated the research and testing LED system to increase yields and help colorization and size of the berry. The results will be available for the next status report. In June the pots in the stack started collapsing on themselves due to the water log soil weight. We proceed to build a different vertical stack pot system using a stack of 6-15 gallon oval tubs. Another stack was build using 4 -40 gallon tubs, both stacks were supported by a wood rack system. We planted 120 strawberry plants in the tubs in each stack. Since the stacks were planted late we feel we did not get legitimate test results. In addition there was only one of each stack. The 40 gallon system did out yield the 15 gallon system. We need a larger sample in phase 2verify our conclusion. The potsdid not collapse during the growing season. We believe this be our vertical stack pot system for the future; On 12/1 we performed a brix (sugar) test on the strawberries. The brix level was 18. Off the scale for berries of any kind. They tasted like strawberry candy. The berries brix in July was 8. Sugar water brix at 22. Our goal for these December berries is to have consistent color, increase berry size and yields. On 12/15 we turned off the heat to the berry tunnel. We had been keeping the tunnel at a minimum of 40F. Overnight lows were OF, requiring too much propane gas to run the heaters. Last year the strawberries were planter 3/22, first harvested 5/28 and last harvested 12/15. During the late summer, August,the berries leaves started to turn yellow, orange and red. The berry yields also began to fall. We suspecteddisease and/or a lack of nutrients. We performed leaf tissue tests along with soil tests and compared to soil tests fromthe beginning of the year. We yet to receive the tissue test. The soil tests indicated deficiency in nitrogen and slight potassium defientcy. We started to foliage spray fish emulsion and seaweed on weekly bases. We observed a slight increase in berries appearance and yield. In November to increase yield and produce a better quality berry we started to look a LED. We did not complete the research andtesting due to end date of project and budget funds. In Nov we submitted a mod to extend the grant date to 5/30/20 and redirect existing project funding.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/19 to 11/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Growers, urban farmersand researchers interested in a new innovative way of growing strawberries for 10 months a year in the upper midwest. Changes/Problems:No major changes just redesigned vertical stack pot system to a rack system. Limited testing in phase 1 with more testing in phase 2 required. New redesigned racking with tubs Old system with stacked pots What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?On 2019 we submitted 2 propsals to the CIG organzation relative to growing strawberries using a soil base vertical stacked pot growing system. These propasls were multistate effotrs with both growers and university researchers involved. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to analzed our 2019 research results and present findings. We plan to extend grant end date to 5/30/2020 and research and test a LED system develop by Phillips Lighting, to insease yields, extend the growing season and promote a more quality berry. We will submit a project mod to the budget to redirect funds to accomplish these tasks. We plan to get ready to submit a proposal for a SBIR Phase 2 grant using the research results from phase 1. For commercialization we plan to contact orrganic food coops in the Twin Cities, and large food grocery chains such as Lunds/Byerlys in the Twin Cities and Whole Foods nationwide to solicit interest in our berries. Some have already expressed interest and are buying the berries.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This report will cover the period from the last report, 8/31/19 to 12/15/19 . We continue to grow day neutral strawberries in our vertical stacked pot system. Twice a week we picked and recorded the yields. For the year over last year we notice an increase in yields. We have yet to place the yield data in a spreadsheet for analysis. Our research plot tested a number of variables including: 1) Pot size, 2) Substrate, 3) Berry varieties, 4) Oxygenating irrigation water We also research and tested different cooling the high tunnel below 85f incfluding: 1) Using shade cloth covering high tunnel when outside temperatures exceeded 80F, 2) Evaporated cooling, 3) water chill using geothermal. In December we stated the research and testing LED system to increase yields and help colorization and size of the berry. The results will be available for the next status report. In June the pots in the stack started collapsing on themselves due to the water log soil weight. We proceed to build a different vertical stack pot system using a stack of 6-15 gallon oval tubs. Another stack was build using 4 -40 gallon tubs, both stacks were supported by a wood rack system. We planted 120 strawberry plants in the tubs in each stack. Since the stacks were planted late we feel we did not get legitimate test results. In addition there was only one of each stack. The 40 gallon system did out yield the 15 gallon system. We need a larger sample in phase 2verify our conclusion. The potsdid not collapse during the growing season. We believe this be our vertical stack pot system for the future; On 12/1 we performed a brix (sugar) test on the strawberries. The brix level was 18. Off the scale for berries of any kind. They tasted like strawberry candy. The berries brix in July was 8. Sugar water brix at 22. Our goal for these December berries is to have consistent color, increase berry size and yields. On 12/15 we turned off the heat to the berry tunnel. We had been keeping the tunnel at a minimum of 40F. Overnight lows were OF, requiring too much propane gas to run the heaters. Last year the strawberries were planter 3/22, first harvested 5/28 and last harvested 12/15. During the late summer, August,the berries leaves started to turn yellow, orange and red. The berry yields also began to fall. We suspecteddisease and/or a lack of nutrients. We performed leaf tissue tests along with soil tests and compared to soil tests fromthe beginning of the year. We yet to receive the tissue test. The soil tests indicated deficiency in nitrogen and slight potassium defientcy. We started to foliage spray fish emulsion and seaweed on weekly bases. We observed a slight increase in berries appearance and yield. In November to increase yield and produce a better quality berry we started to look a LED. We did not complete the research andtesting due to end date of project and budget funds. In Nov we submitted a mod to extend the grant date to 5/30/20 and redirect existing project funding.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Strawberry growers, Urban Ag businesses & home owners, investors Changes/Problems:Pretty much gave up on eveaporator pads to cool the tunnels and have switch to testing out chilled water and geothermal.If we need additinal cooling we might look at evaporator pads again. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We set up a booth at the Wisconsin Fruit and Berry Conference at the Dells WI last February. We displayed a vertical stacked pots of blossoming strawberries and had visual disply posters and standups. We performed a survey and have of list of people who requested additional info and requested to be be kept abreast with progress. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Working on methods to cool the tunnel via shade cloth, evaporator pads, circulation fans, geothermal, and chilled water. Continue test dissolved oxygen system, test out new vertical stack racking system. Got some inital positive result from dissolved oxygen. The new racking system seems to be holding both pot sizes, 15 gallon and 40 gallon. On 7/29 got arround to run the PC drip line on the new racked stacks. Many of the plants had died due to lack of water.. Plan to replant from one of other stacks. We will continue to record strawberry yields, diseases, insects, brix.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project title: Vertical Growing System using Season Extending Technology, Temperature Control and Soil Based Substrates Project progress report from 1/1/2019-7/31/2019. We researched plastic replacement pots for our original wooden pots. The wooden pots served 3 years of vertical stacked pot system development by providing a means to test various substrates, strawberry varieties, irrigation drip lines, irrigation interval, initial dissolved oxygen insertion, etc. After 3 years the pots began to rot and fall apart. Also since it was difficult to sterilize the wood we believe pathogens were carried over to the next season. We researched plastic "whiskey barrel" pots because of the heavier duty resin side walls. We settled on two sizes, small-10 gallon pot and large-30 gallon pot. The small pots were stacked on one another, 6 high. The large pots were sacked on one another, 4 high. The pots were tapered such when stacked a 2-3 inch rim occurred exposing soil between the two pots. This spacing accommodated 8 plants for the small pots and 23 plants for the large pots. A 2x 2 or angle iron was placed between the pots to provide support for the pot on top. Each pot size has a soil minimum of at least 2 quarts of substrate per plant. We created one stack of small pots with 50 plants and one stack of large pots with 100 plants. We tested the stacks out for one month and all appeared ok. We proceeded to order enough small and large pots for 64 stacks to be placed as two rows in a 30'x 72' high tunnel and one row in a 30'x 96' tunnel. The smaller tunnel will attempt to cool the tunnel using technology while the larger tunnel will use natural means to coot the tunnel. 5500 day neutral strawberry plants were ordered with the varieties of portola, san addreas, cabrilo, monterey, albion, tribute and red start. We spent the week of March 23rd filling the pots with two substrates. One substrate was our standard base substrate and the other substituted vermicompost and Re-Vita Pro (5, 1, 4) for Purple Cow Activate. This was an attempt to reduce the cost of the substrate. We used approximately 10 cubic yards of substrate to fill the approximate 375 pots. We planted the strawberry plants and formed the stacks. We started harvesting the berries on May 28th and continue to harvest twice a week. We record the result in a spreadsheet. We keep a running tab or the totals and later will graph the results. During this time we trimmed the runners and weeded. We sprayed for botrytis and other strawberry diseases with organic approved Stylet Oil and EF400. During the hotter weeks of July the strawberry yields diminished. The week of 7/29/19 strawberry yields have picked up. The outside temp cooled to upper 70s. A closed tunnel reaches a temperature of 130F. We need to cool the tunnel to 80F for the strawberry plants to continue to produce. Ideal strawberry producing weather is 60F to 80F. We covered the tunnel with a 50% shade cloth. This lowered the temperature to 115F. We looked at using an evaporator cooling pad system but this system in high humidity like we get in July would only lower the temperature 10F. We needed more. So now we will attempt to install a chilled water system using 50F degree well water as input. The heat exchanger looks like a radiator with the 50F well water circulating through copper coils. A 24" fan blows air between the coils, thus coils the air. We will be testing this system in August. We will determine how much this system cools the tunnel and how many of these systems (24" square) we need to cool the tunnel to 80F. This technology is being tested in the 30'x72' tunnel with two rows of vertical stacked potted strawberries. In the other tunnel, 30'x96' with one row of stacks, we are cooling by opening the side walls, end wall and incorporating shade cloth. We have four circulating fans hanging from the ceiling moving the air inside the tunnel. We have both tunnels covered with insect netting to stop the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) from entering. Some get in so we are alternately spraying with organic approved Entrust, Pyganic, Grandevo, Venerate and Jet Ag Oxidizer. The Jet Ag controls the plant yeast which attracts the SWD. As the outside temperature cools to 80F or below we need to pull the shade cloth. The shade cloth covering the strawberries for an extended period of time, over 4 days, will slow plant/blossom development and strawberry ripening. Pics of vertical stack pot strawberries - summer of 2019
Publications
|
|