Greenhouse irrigation water treatment on a South American rose farm
Greenhouse irrigation water treatment was tested at a South American rose grower for stem length rather than scale or fouling. Through the cold season growth slows, and short stems cut the value of every harvest. One HydroFLOW® custom 12 inch unit, deliberately oversized for the trial, was fitted around the main greenhouse irrigation line and followed for roughly nine months from April to January. Average stem length rose from 42.3 cm to 50.12 cm, the share of stems reaching 50 cm went from 26% to 89%, and monthly production climbed from 8,202 roses to 14,170. Scale and biofouling in the irrigation lines fell at the same time.
The Challenge
- Greenhouse irrigation water treatment was needed to lift stem length and quality
- Cold weather slowed overall rose growth
- Shorter stems reduced the value of harvested roses
- Longer, higher value stems were limited
- Greenhouse production declined during parts of the cold season
The Solution
- Unit installed: one HydroFLOW® custom 12 inch unit, intentionally oversized
- Installation point: around the main greenhouse irrigation line
- Trial: roughly nine months, April to January
Greenhouse irrigation water treatment ran on the main line through the cold season, when stem growth normally slows. The grower tracked stem growth, stem strength and propagation harvest by harvest in its own records. Alongside the stem figures, the grower reported better symmetry, colour, petal uniformity and shelf life, and less scale and biofouling in the irrigation lines.
