Gerbera

Start during the propagation stage of gerberas with ArgicinPlus fertilisation

Strong mother plants last longer and produce higher-quality cuttings. Using our CE fertiliser ArgicinPlus, ensures high-quality propagation material. The added value of this urea-based fertiliser comes from the combination of silicon (in the form of orthosilicic acid), willow bark extract and colloidal silver:

• Silicon is incorporated into the cell walls of the stalk and leaves, strengthening them and making them harder. It also plays a role in the transport of water and the absorption of nutrients.
• Willow bark extract improves root development in mother plants, encouraging faster and more uniform growth of potted plugs with cuttings.

ArgicinPlus is therefore an excellent base fertiliser for propagators, but we also recommend that growers use it at the start. This makes young plants more robust from the outset, and it strengthens the plant’s own immune system. Apply ArgicinPlus around the time of potting the plugs. This can be done in the following ways, depending on what is most practical:

• Before potting, dip the plugs in ArgicinPlus in a dipping basin
• Or water the plants with ArgicinPlus after potting them on (before placing them in the greenhouse).

This immediately provides the plants with sufficient water. If you plan to continue with biological crop protection afterwards, this can be done without any waiting periods.

Recommended dosage/advice for use -  ArgicinPlus in gerberas

• Add 0.1 litres of ArgicinPlus to 50 litres of water (equivalent to 1 litre per 500 litres of water) to a dipping basin and dip the plugs in this mixture for at least 15 minutes.
• If you decide to irrigate, the required concentration for the solution is 1 litre of ArgicinPlus to 500 litres of water.

Maintain plant resilience during propagation and finishing with SalicylPure and SilicaPower

To prevent and counteract potential weakening caused by, for example, climatic conditions, after base fertilisation with ArgicinPlus we recommend continuing with a combination of SalicylPure and SilicaPower. Both are single-component CE biostimulants containing willow bark extract and readily absorbable silicon respectively. This combination optimises root development and ensures ongoing strengthening of the plant.

Recommended dosage/advice for use - SalicylPure and SilicaPower

• Administer 1 litre of SalicylPure/ha/week and 0.35 litres of SilicaPower/ha/week via the A-fertiliser feeder or a separate fertiliser injector.
• You can also spray both products over the crop. In that case, the dose is 1 litre of SalicylPure and 0.5 litres of SilicaPower per ha per week.

SilicaPower in the finishing stage of gerberas strengthens flower stems and intensifies flower colours

Particularly during the finishing stage, it is important to provide plants with additional silicon. The silicon in SilicaPower is incorporated into the plant’s cell walls, literally strengthening the different parts of the plant. Stronger stems are easier to harvest and deliver higher-quality flowers to your customers. An added benefit of additional silicon is a more intense flower colour.

Recommended dosage/advice for use - SilicaPower in gerbera

• Start applying SilicaPower at the very beginning of the finishing stage.
• SilicaPower can be applied during the finishing stage through irrigation or spraying.
• Tip: Research by Vertify shows that spraying can have a proportionally stronger effect on the crop. If spraying is chosen, the dose depends on water volume: use 100 ml of SilicaPower per 100 litres of water, ensuring a minimum total of 500 ml per hectare per week. SilicaPower can also be added to the A fertiliser feeder or separate fertiliser injector, at a dose of 350 ml/ha/week.

Bacterial products add life to the substrate

Depending on the growth medium used for your gerberas, you may need to add active soil life to support root development. We offer two natural bacterial products: Soil Bac-1 and Soil Bac-2.

Soil Bac-1 is a basic product to restore balance to soil microbiological life. It consists of a Bacillus mix of gram-positive bacteria that help with root formation.
Soil Bac-2 is a probiotic bacterial product that helps maintain a healthy soil balance. It contains a Pseudomonas strain of bacteria that helps gerberas absorb nutrients better. These products can be used individually but also together.

Recommended dosage/advice for use - Soil Bac-1 in gerbera

Start with 2.5 litres/ha, given in a single shot from the fertiliser feeder or separate fertiliser injector. Subsequently, a minimum of two further maintenance doses, also of 2.5 litres/ha each time at monthly intervals.

Recommended dosage/advice for use - Soil Bac-2 in gerbera

Start with 2.5 litres/ha, given in a single shot from the fertiliser feeder or a separate fertiliser injector. Subsequently, a maintenance dose of 1 litre/ha each time once every 2 weeks. For inert substrate, reduce the interval to once a week.

Uninterrupted growth of gerberas only possible with clean irrigation water

Plenty of good quality water is essential for uninterrupted growth of your crops. Getting this water to your gerberas requires a well-functioning irrigation system, which is free from blockages. The risk of blockages can be minimized by using the water-maintenance products Clear Bac-1 and Clear Bac-2. Both are 100% natural products and contain various bacteria.

With Clear Bac-1, algae in silos and basins are barely given the chance to grow. The bacteria in Clear Bac-1 compete with algae for nutrition. Over the course of just a few weeks or months, they will die. The bacteria also assist in the digestion process of dead algae. This ensures that, in no time at all, your basin and/or silo will become clean and stay clean.

Clear Bac-2 is most effective when used in the pipes and drippers of your irrigation system. The bacteria in Clear Bac-2 form enzymes that form a sort of very smooth coating on the inside of the pipes, which organic contaminants such as sand or phosphate deposits cannot adhere to. The use of Clear Bac-2 also has a positive effect on the root development of plants and helps to maintain the pH (stability) of your feed water.

Recommended dosage/advice for use - Clear Bac-1

• As a starting dose, administer two litres of Clear Bac-1/500 m³ of basin water in the spring. The best result can be expected at a water temperature upwards of 12°C (usually in mid-April).
• Repeat the application of Clear Bac-1 every month at a dose of 1 litre/500 m³ of basin water.
• To achieve the best effect, Clear Bac-1 should be mixed through the water thoroughly, moving horizontally. Therefore, add the product as far away from the intake point as possible. Thorough aeration using a Venturi or waterfall also improves the effect.

Important! Make sure that the basin water moves horizontally. Stagnant water is ideal for algae growth and it does not thrive as well in moving water. The bacteria in Clear Bac-1 will then do the rest.

Recommended dosage/advice for use - Clear Bac-2

• Start with 5 litres of Clear Bac-2/ha, given in a single shot from a separate fertilizer injector or add to the day storage tank or the A fertilizer feeder. Repeat this dose every month until the end of the growing season. For the best effect, we recommend aerating the irrigation water properly with a Venturi or waterfall.

Tip: caution is advised when used in combination with hydrogen peroxide

Our products ArgicinPlus, Soil Bac-1 and Soil Bac-2 cannot be used in water to which hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or another product containing chlorine has been added. Clear Bac-1 and Clear Bac-2 are natural alternatives to H₂O₂ or other chemical disinfectants. Contact us to discuss our solution if you nevertheless wish to use hydrogen peroxide at the same time as ArgicinPlus and the Soil Bac products.