Across the Ditch: Lessons NZ can Learn
Observations and conclusions: Chris Smellie, Secretary NZFGA
The April 2017 edition of the magazine for the Australian ‘Cut Flower & Foliage Industry’ [Posted free to all NZFGA subscribers] highlighted in its editorial and letters to the editor, problems with flower quality around Valentine’s Day, especially from local growers. A number of florists said they were dismayed with the poor quality of Australian grown flowers especially roses and how they unwillingly resorted to imported product. One florist said “growers need to wakeup”!! It seems that ‘online order gatherers ‘were also a considerable part of the problem for consumers, the result being negative news and current affairs shows about the flower industry.
Climate Change Impacts Growing Operations
Balancing the discussion the magazine also produced an article how heat had wrecked flower production over January. Many places recorded temperatures 10 degrees above average reaching the high 30’s or low 40’s with a number of night temperatures over20 degrees. Along with this came high humidity and very still wind conditions leading to considerable botrytis and other diseases. Climate change predictions mean that such conditions currently viewed as abnormal will become the norm.
Most of this applies equally well to NZ and NZ future conditions especially high humidity.
So combating conditions of high humidity has to be a priority if the quality of our local product is to be maintained. Being able to heat adequately is essential. But also over recent weeks a number of articles have been referenced in the ‘weekly information’ about either high performance internal fans or dehumidifying units both of which aim at humidity control.
Links to these articles are provided below to assist growers looking to research options:
Envirotech system offers offers cost effective dehumidification and fungal spore capture
http://www.floraldaily.com/article/7813/Dehumidification-doesnt-have-to-make-you-sweat
Internal greenhouse airflow examined.
http://www.floraldaily.com/article/7701/Fighting-moisture-problems-in-Chrysanthemum-with-Enfan-horticulture-fan
Premium fan for greenhouse air circulation
http://www.floraldaily.com/article/7640/NL-Unifan-available-at-Anima-Trading
Excellent internal ventilation fan
Use of internal air circulation fans.
http://www.hortidaily.com/article/25987/Setting-up-horizontal-airflow-fans-to-help-prevent-diseases
Air Mixing above screens
http://www.hortidaily.com/article/25324/Take-advantage-of-air-above-the-screen-to-regulate-humidity
Concepts in dealing with humidity
http://www.floraldaily.com/article/4308/Finnish-grower-recoups-the-energy-stored-in-excess-humidity
Detailed discussion on humidity.
http://www.hortidaily.com/article/24779/How-does-humidity-influence-crop-quality
Dehumidifying units for greenhouses
http://www.floraldaily.com/article/3413/Footprint-of-dehumidification-unit-reduced
Smart internal air circulation fans.
http://www.hortidaily.com/article/23331/Reducing-humidity-with-vertical-and-horizontal-ventilation
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