Greenhouse Tomato

Handbook

Contents

Page
Plan for Success............................................................................2
Plant Population...........................................................................3
Varieties.........................................................................................3
Growing in Aggregate Media....................................................4
Planting Schedule.........................................................................4
Pruning and Training..................................................................5
Pollination.....................................................................................6
Temperature.................................................................................7
Relative Humidity........................................................................7
Greenhouse Cooling....................................................................8
Irrigation.......................................................................................10
pH..................................................................................................10
Fertility.........................................................................................11
Methods of Mixing Fertilizers...................................................12
Plant Response............................................................................13
Modified Steiner Solution..........................................................13
Commercial Fertilizers...............................................................14
How To Calculate Element Concentration in a Fertilizer..........................................................................................................15
Leaf Tissue Analysis........................................................................................................................................................................17
Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms......................................................................................................................................................17
Physiological Disorders..................................................................................................................................................................18
Appendix I. Additional Information.............................................................................................................................................21
Appendix II. Commercial Greenhouse Manufacturers (G) and Suppliers (S)........................................................................21
Appendix III. Associations and Short Courses............................................................................................................................26
 Greenhouse Tomato Handbook
Greenhouse tomato production has attracted much average labor requirement per greenhouse (or bay)
attention in recent years, partly because of a new wave is 20 person-hours per week (for an average 24- by
of interest in “alternative crops.” The attraction is based 96-foot greenhouse). As a grower gains experience,
on the perception that greenhouse tomatoes may be this time requirement can be reduced. This figure
more profitable than the more conventional agronomic estimates the amount of time per week averaged
or horticultural crops. The popularity may also be due to over the entire crop. More time is needed during
misconceptions about how easily this crop can be grown. transplanting and harvest, and less time is needed
While the value of greenhouse tomatoes is high on a while the plants are growing from transplant to the
per unit basis, the costs are also high. The following points time of first harvest. Adequate labor provisions
are outlined to clear up misconceptions you might have. should be made before help is actually required.
Keep these in mind before pursuing greenhouse tomatoes, • Greenhouse tomatoes need regular attention.
either as a livelihood or as a crop for supplemental income: Unlike many field crops that can be planted,
• Greenhouse tomatoes have unique cultural sprayed on a fixed schedule, and then harvested
requirements, unlike crops such as soybeans after so many days have elapsed, tomatoes must
and cotton, and not even similar to other field be examined daily. Because the growth system is
vegetable crops. In fact, a grower of field tomatoes complex, many things can go wrong. Raising a
would have difficulty in growing greenhouse greenhouse tomato crop may be more similar to
tomatoes without a significant amount of learning maintaining a herd of dairy cows than to growing a
time. Greenhouse tomatoes should be thought of as field crop of vegetables.
altogether different from field-grown crops. • The greenhouse environment is not a sterile one.
• Because of specific production requirements, There is a common misconception that crops grown
greenhouse tomatoes cannot be termed an in greenhouses do not have insects and diseases.
“easy” crop to grow. They are one of the more Just the opposite is true. While a greenhouse
difficult horticultural crops to produce with many environment is excellent for growing tomatoes (and
procedures that must be followed to insure a other vegetables), it is even better for propagating
healthy, productive crop. insect pests and disease organisms. Due to the
• The time necessary to grow greenhouse tomatoes higher temperature, higher relative humidity,
is much greater on a per unit basis than any field and lush, green foliage, insects and diseases are
vegetable crop. The many weekly cultural practices constant threats once introduced into a greenhouse.
(pruning, wrapping, pollinating, spraying, etc.) add Therefore, weekly sprays with both insecticides and
up to a significant amount of time. The estimated fungicides are standard practice.

2
 These comments are not meant to discourage • If a problem comes up, get help quickly. Call your
prospective growers. If you are preparing to invest time county agent or Extension specialist for assistance.
and money into growing greenhouse tomatoes, however,
you should be fully aware of the pitfalls as well as the Plant Population
benefits before proceeding any further. If you are willing When growing greenhouse tomatoes, it is important to
to spend the necessary time to learn how to grow this crop, use the proper planting density. Greenhouse tomatoes need
you can be successful if you follow the basic guidelines in at least four square feet per plant or 10,000 plants per acre. In
this and other publications. fact, recent research at the Truck Crops Branch Experiment
Station shows that using a planting density of 5 sq. ft/plant
Plan for Success produced the same per unit area, while reducing the plant
The best way to learn is not by your own mistakes, but population. To determine how many plants can be grown
by other people’s mistakes. Visit as many other greenhouse in your greenhouse, multiply the length by the width and
tomato growers as possible and ask questions. Most then divide by four or five. For a 24- by 96-foot greenhouse,
growers are happy to share information. about 460 to 576 plants can be grown; for a 30- by 96-foot
• Collect as much information as you can and read greenhouse, 576 to 720 plants will fit, depending on planting
it. If you don’t know where to start, call your county density. Note: If you will use some of the floor space for other
agent or Extension specialist and request a packet of purposes (for example, storage, packing, grading), subtract
material on greenhouse tomato production. this area from the total before dividing by four or five.
• Sell your tomatoes before you plant them. Line Using a higher planting density will cause the yield per
up buyers ahead of time to be sure you have a plant to decrease, while the yield per greenhouse will stay
market for your product. about the same. This is due primarily to plants shading each
• Buy a pH meter and an electroconductivity other. The costs and the amount of labor required, however,
(EC) meter. These are relatively inexpensive increase with more plants. Also, crowding plants tends to
instruments that will help you make sure that you promote disease development, since foliage does not dry as
are putting on the appropriate level of nutrient readily, and sprays cannot easily penetrate the thick foliage.
solution. Check the pH and EC of every tank you Arrange plants in double rows, about 4 feet apart
mix to avoid mistakes. on center. Within a row, plants will average 14 to 16
• Pollinate every other day with an electric buzzer inches between stems.
pollinator or another method.
• Be sure your plants have plenty of water. Any time Varieties
your plants wilt, they are not growing, and blossoms The first step in raising any crop is to choose the best
may drop; increase the water level as needed. variety. Growing a variety that is not the best choice, or
• Water enough so that there is always some using seed that are not of the best quality, reduces your
drainage from the bags. This ensures that fertilizer potential for success at the outset. It is smart to start off
salts will not accumulate in your growing medium. with the greatest potential rather than limiting yourself by
• Don’t let diseases or insects (especially whitefly) using inferior seed, even if it saves a few dollars.
get out of control. Start weekly sprays or Hybrid tomato seed is expensive. It now costs 10 to 30
biological controls as soon as your plants are in the cents per seed, depending on the variety and quantity that
greenhouse. Increase the frequency of sprays if a you buy. This cost reflects the laborious process of hand
problem arises. pollination required to produce the hybrid seed. Although
• Keep good records. Record the date and chemical this seems rather expensive, it is still one of the lowest
pesticide used each time, the fertilizer ppm costs of production. After the heating, labor, and fertilizer
(concentration) used and the date it is increased, the costs are incurred, the extra expense of using the finest
amount of water you are feeding per day, and any seed is relatively small.
time you make a change in your cultural program.

3
 There are thousands of tomato varieties available on • yield uniformity of fruit size
the market, but only a few are acceptable for greenhouse • market demand
production. If you plan to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse, In Mississippi, as in most of the United States, the
you need to use a greenhouse variety. These are almost market preference is for a red tomato. In Ohio and
exclusively Dutch hybrid indeterminate varieties, bred southern Canada (Leamington, Ontario), the preference is
in Holland specifically for greenhouse production. Field for pink tomatoes. The only physical difference is in the
varieties are typically adapted to higher light and lower skin color. There are no flavor or biochemical differences.
humidity conditions and probably would not yield well in The varieties most worth considering at the time of this
the greenhouse. A glass or plastic greenhouse has about 20 printing are Trust, Match, Switch, and Blitz.
percent less light than outdoors, and many field types do Tropic cannot be recommended to commercial growers
not tolerate this reduction. because of its lack of size uniformity, intolerance to high
There are many companies in Holland and other nitrogen fertilizer, and lack of resistance to Tobacco Mosaic
European countries that deal in greenhouse varieties; Virus (TMV) and other diseases; however, Tropic is fine for
however, only a few have distributors in the United States. a hobby greenhouse.
You can buy seed from a greenhouse supply catalog, or Jumbo may be the largest fruited variety available, but
directly from the seed companies, which are shown in the it lacks resistance to TMV and most other diseases, is not
list of suppliers at the end of this publication. tolerant to higher levels of nitrogen fertilizer, and is not as
Base variety selection on these criteria: uniform in size as some of the other varieties.
• size of fruit desired Serious growers should not use outdoor varieties such
• disease resistance as Celebrity, Better Boy, Travelers, etc., in the greenhouse,
• lack of physiological problems, i.e., cracking, although these are fine for the garden.
catfacing, blossom-end rot

Table 1. Varieties of greenhouse tomatoes and their characteristics.

Variety Source1 Fruit size (ounces)2 Greenback3 Disease resistance4
Caruso DR 6-8 SG TMV,C5,V,F2
Laura DR 6-8 SG TMV,C2,V,F2
Capello DR 6-8 NG TMV,C5,V,F2,Wi
Perfecto DR 5-7 NG TMV,C5,F2,Wi
Trust DR 6-8 NG TMV,C5,V,F2,FR
Match DR 7-9 NG TMV,C5,V,F2,FR
Switch DR 7-9 NG TMV,C5,V,F2,FR
Blitz DR 7-9 NG TMV,C5,V,F2,FR
Baronie RZ 7-9 NG TMV,C5,V,F2,FR,Wi
Mariachi (74-56RZ) RZ 8-9 NG TMV,C5,V,F2,FR,Wi
Mississippi RZ 6-8 NG TMV,C5,V,F2,FR,Wi
Zoltano RZ 6-7 NG TMV,C5,V,F2,FR,Wi
Electra HZ 7-8 G TMV,V,F2
Gabriela HZ 5-7 G TMV,V,F2,N
Dombito B 6-8 G TMV,C2,F2
Dombello B 7-9 G TMV,C5,V,F2,N,Wi
Jumbo B 7-10 G C2,V,F2
Belmondo B 6-8 NG TMV,C5,V,F2
Medallion B 7-9 NG TMV,C2,V,F2,FR
Tropic 5-11 SG tmv,V,F1,ASC
Vendor S 6-8 NG tmv,C2,F1
Vendor VFT S 6-8 NG TMV,V,F2
1
DR = De Ruiter; B = Seminis (Bruinsma/Asgrow); S = Stokes; RZ = Rijk Zwaan; HZ = Hazera.
2
Actual fruit size is variable, depending on pollination, cultural practices, and environmental conditions.
3
G = greenback; SG = semigreenback; NG = non-greenback type.
4
TMV = resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV); tmv = tolerant to TMV; C2 = Cladosporium races A and B; C5 = Cladosporium races A, B, C, D, and
E; V = Verticillium Wilt; F1 = tolerance to Fusarium Wilt race 1; F2 = Fusarium Wilt races 1 and 2; Wi = tolerance to Silvering; N = most Nematodes;
ASC = resistant to Alternaria Stem Canker; FR = resistant to Fusarium Crown and Root Rot.

4
 You can buy seed by the piece with lower costs per suppliers (see list at end of this publication). Alternatively,
unit for larger quantities and higher costs for smaller two plants can be grown in a 7 1/2-gallon bag or bucket,
quantities. Tomato seeds are very small; one-fifth of an or you can grow one plant in a 3- or 4-gallon container (1
ounce contains about 1,200 seeds. If you have a two-bay cubic foot equals 7 1/2 gallons).
greenhouse (4,500 square feet) with about 550 plants per
bay, this is enough seed. Always plant a few extra seeds Planting Schedule
(10 - 20 percent) since germination will not be 100 percent. There are two principal cropping systems for growing
This also gives you the opportunity to discard any greenhouse tomatoes: two crops per year and one crop
seedlings that do not meet your high quality standards. per year. With the one-crop system, set plants in mid-
Store extra seed in unopened containers or in zip-locked September or later and grow until mid- to late June. For
bags in the freezer. Mississippi, the two-crop system, with a spring crop and a
Table 1 lists some of the common greenhouse tomato fall crop, is preferred. This is because plants held over the
varieties and some of their characteristics. Note that only winter are more likely to be infected with diseases such as
some of the varieties have resistance to Fusarium Crown Botrytis (gray mold) and Cladosporium (leaf mold) that
and Root Rot (FR). This disease has been in Mississippi thrive in damp greenhouse conditions during December,
greenhouses since 1990. The variety Trend is not January, and February. Plants that have been growing for
recommended for Mississippi greenhouses. several months have dense growth by winter, reducing
airflow and aggravating humidity problems. These
Growing in Aggregate Media conditions are favorable to disease development. Also,
Many types of growing systems for greenhouse plants that have been growing since September do not have
tomatoes are available. These systems include NFT the same vigor as young plants transplanted in January.
(nutrient film technique), PVC pipes, sand, ground culture Alternatively, one, shorter crop can be grown just in the
(in the soil), troughs, rock wool slabs, and various types spring, or through the late winter and spring. Marketing
of aggregate media. This latter group includes peat moss conditions should determine the cropping season.
and peat-lite mixes, perlite, rock wool aggregate, glass July and August are too hot to have producing tomato
wool, pine bark, and many others. Most of the multi-acre plants in greenhouses in the Midsouth. Summer fruits are
greenhouse ranges in the U.S. use rock wool. This inert, plagued with splitting, cracking, blotchy ripening, and
highly porous material is made by melting volcanic rock, generally poor quality and yield. In addition, the market
limestone, and coke at 292°F and spinning it into fibers. In price is down because field tomatoes are available.
Mississippi, pine bark is the leading growing medium due For the two-crop system, seed the fall crop after the
to its suitable properties, availability, and low cost. middle of July in trays, with one seed per cell. If you
For growers using pine bark, it is recommended that plant earlier, young plants will be subject to high summer
the bark be composted fines. Fines are particles less than temperatures and will be off to a poor start. Allow plants
3/8 of an inch in diameter. Initial composting is necessary to grow for 4 1/2 to 5 weeks. Transplant during mid-
so the bark does not damage roots of tomato transplants August into bags, buckets, or rock wool. The first harvest
from high temperature, and so that there is no nitrogen will be late October or early November.
depletion caused by the decomposition process. If you Seed the spring crop in late November, transplanting
cannot determine the age of bark, purchase the bark at this crop soon after the first of January, when transplants
least 3 months before it is to be used; this allows time for are about 6 weeks old. This means you will have young
composting at your site. seedlings at the same time you have mature plants. It is
The recommended volume of aggregate medium is preferable to have a separate propagation house for new
1/2 cubic foot per plant. With pine bark, this is easily seedlings. If seedlings are grown in the same greenhouse
achieved by using 2 cubic-foot bags and transplanting with mature plants, it is likely that insects (whiteflies,
three or four plants per bag. You can buy these pine-bark leafminers, etc.) and diseases will contaminate the
filled, perforated, polyethylene bags from Mississippi new crop. The first harvest should occur in March.

5
The spring crop can be grown until late June, or until left hand just above the plant; loosen the knot with your
the temperature becomes too extreme for quality right hand. Simultaneously let the plant down about 2
production (see section on Greenhouse Cooling). feet below the wire and slide the string to the right. The
Top the plants 6 weeks before the intended termination plant must be leaned over while it is dropped; otherwise
date. Termination should be close to the end of December the stem will probably break. Always lean in the same
for a fall crop and mid- to late June for a spring crop. direction. Do not lean some to the right and some to left
When topping, remove the tops of plants from marble- or they will shade each other. Lower all plants to the
sized fruit and higher. Such small fruit will not have time same height so they don’t shade each other. Repeat this
to mature before termination of the crop. Leave one or two operation each time plants grow higher than the wire.
leaves above the highest cluster of fruit that remains. This This is another reason the two-crop-per-year system is
helps shade the fruit and prevents sun scald. preferable–there is less labor needed for leaning and
dropping the plants.
Pruning and Training As you prune the plant to one main stem, wrap it
For best production, prune tomato plants to a single around the support string. You can prune and wrap in
stem by removing all lateral shoots, commonly referred one operation, doing both to a plant before moving on to
to as “suckers.” One sucker will form at the point where the next plant. Always wrap in the same direction—if you
each leaf originates from the main stem, just above the leaf start clockwise, continue clockwise; otherwise, when the
petiole (stem). Allowing all suckers to grow and bear fruit plant gets heavy with fruit, it may slip down the string
would increase the total number of fruit, but they would and break. Some growers prefer to use plastic clips to
be small and of poor quality. It is better to have one main secure the plant to the string, either in combination with
stem that bears fruit, as this will produce larger, more wrapping or to replace wrapping.
uniform, and higher quality fruit.
Removing suckers once per week will keep them under
control. It is advisable to leave one or two of the smallest
suckers at the top of the plant. Then, if the plant becomes
damaged and the terminal breaks off, one of these suckers
can be allowed to grow and become the new terminal.
Generally, remove any sucker longer than one inch.
Rig a support system of wires above the crop. Use
9-gauge or 3/32-inch galvanized wire or stronger (a 100-
pound box contains about 1,700 linear feet). These wires
should run parallel to the direction of the rows and 7 feet
off the ground. Cut strings 14 feet long, so there is enough
slack to allow the plant to be leaned and dropped when it
reaches the height of the wire. Tie one string loosely (not
a slipknot) or clip it to the bottom of each plant, throw it
over the wire, and then tie it to the wire with a slip knot.
Plastic clips are commercially available (see Appendix 1
for list of suppliers). Note: Be certain the greenhouse frame
can support the weight of fruit-laden plants, or that a
sturdy frame is constructed at the ends of rows to support
the wires. Plan on the wire bearing a load of 15 pounds per
linear foot, or 3 tons for 600 plants.
Pollination is best accomplished with an electric pollinator.
When the plant reaches the wire height, it should be
leaned and dropped. Hold the string securely with your

6
 Several problems can result from poor pollination: off-
shaped fruit if seeds do not develop uniformly throughout
the fruit, smaller fruit, and fruit that are rough (ridged)
along the tops. Pollination can be prevented by various
stresses such as cold or hot temperatures, drought, high
humidity, nutrient deficiencies, nutrient toxicities, etc., as
well as lack of pollen transfer.
Tomato flowers have both male and female parts
within every flower. Botanically, these are termed
“perfect” flowers. Field tomatoes are pollinated primarily
by wind rather than by bees, which pollinate many other
types of vegetables. Most of a flower’s pollen fertilizes the
A simple slipknot is used to tie string to the plant support wire. ovary within the same flower, although some of the pollen
reaches surrounding flowers. Wind shakes the flower so
Cluster pruning will also improve size and uniformity.
that pollen leaves the anther and travels to the stigma. In
This involves removing small fruit from some clusters, leaving
the greenhouse, wind is not strong enough to shake the
three, four, or five of the best ones. Remove misshaped or
flowers sufficiently to transfer the pollen. Even though the
deformed fruit first. Otherwise, remove the smallest fruit,
greenhouse is ventilated with fans, on cooler days when
which is usually the last one formed on each cluster.
the fans are not operating, the air is relatively motionless.
The optimum temperature for pollination is within
Pollination
the range 70 to 82 °F. Optimum relative humidity
Pollination of the female flower part must occur before
is 70 percent. Above 80 percent relative humidity,
fruit will set. Any activity or inactivity that prevents thorough
pollen grains stick together and are not dispersed well.
pollination reduces the number of fruit set per plant.

Touch the pollinator wand to the upper side of each pedicel (flower stem). Do not touch individual flowers.

7
With relative humidity less than 60 percent for extended Questions About Pollination
periods, the stigma may dry out so that pollen grains will How often should I pollinate?
not stick to it. With ideal conditions, fertilization occurs Pollinate every other day or three times per week.
48 hours after pollination. Serious greenhouse tomato Pollinating less often is taking a chance on reducing fruit
growers should use an electric pollinator to ensure good set; but more often is very likely a waste of time.
fruit set. (What is a “serious” grower? — one who grows
tomatoes for a profit.) Does the time of day matter?
In a hobby greenhouse, the expense of a pollinator Yes. The best time for pollinating is when the relative
is probably not necessary. You can purchase an electric humidity is between 60 and 70 percent. If you live in an
pollinator from most greenhouse supply distributors. area with high humidity, find when the relative humidity
These can be powered with a disposable alkaline battery is at its daily low point. If the amount of moisture in the
or with a rechargeable 6-volt battery. Purchasing a air stays constant, the relative humidity decreases as the
rechargeable battery with a charger may be less expensive temperature increases because warm air can hold more
than continually buying alkaline batteries. Also, you moisture than cool air. The warmest time of day is usually
should never be without power. The rechargeable battery mid-day. This is why the best time (in humid areas) to
can be plugged in after use to be sure it is ready for the pollinate is generally between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
next pollination. How much time does it take to pollinate?
Vibrate each cluster (not each blossom) for about half a How do I know if pollination is actually taking place?
second. Touch the wand to the top side of the pedicel You can see it happen. If the air is relatively dry and
(flower stem). Do not touch individual blossoms, as this the light is good, you can see a small cloud of yellow
will damage them, causing damaged fruit. One acre powder around the flower when the cluster is vibrated.
(10,000 plants) is estimated to take 5 to 6 hours to pollinate. These are the pollen grains. This is your insurance that
For a 24- by 96-foot greenhouse, this would be about 20 conditions are excellent for pollination.
minutes. New growers may take an hour or more until
they gain experience. How does cloudy weather affect pollination?
If you have 10,000 square feet or more under one In cloudy weather, the relative humidity is high. In
roof, seriously consider using bumblebees for pollination. such conditions, pollination is not as effective because
Purchase your bumblebee hives from commercial suppliers pollen tends to stick together in clumps rather than
(see list at end of this publication). Use an electric dispersing as individual grains. It is important to stay with
pollinator if you have one or two gutter-connected bays, or the schedule of every other day because if the cloudy days
more bays that are not under one roof. For ranges between turn into a cloudy week without pollinating, fruit set and
5,000 and 10,000 square feet under one roof, you need to quality will certainly be decreased.
compare the cost of the bee hives to the cost of labor to
achieve pollination. Generally, a hive will last for about 8 What if it is cloudy for a long period of time?
weeks before you need to replace it with a new hive. It is a As mentioned, pollination in very wet conditions is
good idea to allow for some overlapped time between the not as effective as in dry weather. One technique you can
old and new hives. Note: Even if bumble-bees are used, an try is to dry the air before pollinating. Turn on the heating
electric pollinator will still be needed to pollinate the first system for 30 to 60 minutes before pollinating. Ventilate to
few flowers that open. Hives should be introduced when maintain the temperature requirements. This will dry the
50 percent of plants have open blooms. flowers and the air, improving pollen transfer.

8
 Locating thermostats in a box will avoid direct sun on them. An aspirated box is best.

Is the expense of an electric pollinator really necessary? Ideally, the thermostat should be located at blossom height
If you want to get maximum yield, the answer is rather than above the tops of plants.
certainly “yes.” If you would be happy with a lower Avoid temperatures over 90 °F if at all possible. At
yield, then it is not so important. In an experiment at 86 °F, lycopene (the pigment that makes tomatoes red) no
the University of Southwestern Louisiana Center for longer develops. See the section Greenhouse Cooling for
Greenhouse Research, pollinating with an electric air help in managing high temperatures.
blower resulted in a 7 percent decrease in yield, while Locate thermostats near the center of the greenhouse
not pollinating resulted in a 21 percent decrease in yield, for good temperature control. Also, enclose the thermostat
compared to using an electric pollinator. You can purchase in an aspirated box, or shade it so that it indicates
a pollinator from most greenhouse suppliers. the air temperature correctly. If the sun is allowed to
shine directly on the thermostat, it will read a higher
Temperature temperature than the air surrounding it.
A day temperature of 70 to 82 °F is optimum, while
night temperature of 62 to 64 °F is optimum for greenhouse Relative Humidity
tomatoes. During cloudy weather, a temperature closer to The optimum relative humidity for greenhouse tomatoes
the lower end of these ranges is preferred, while in sunny is 60-70 percent. This is very difficult to obtain in Mississippi
weather, temperatures closer to the higher end are better. greenhouses and is given for your information only.
Below 60 °F, nutrient deficiencies may occur because
plants cannot absorb some elements at cool temperatures. Greenhouse Cooling
The first sign of cool temperature stress is purpling of Greenhouse tomato growers in Mississippi have
the leaves, indicating lack of phosphorus uptake (even to deal with high temperatures. When greenhouse
though there may be adequate phosphorus in the nutrient temperatures go into the high nineties or even higher,
solution). One or two nights of 56 or 58 °F temperature can poor-quality fruit, especially fruit splitting, is the usual
cause a considerable number of rough fruit several weeks result. The splitting in the skin is caused by the surface
later when fruit exposed to the cold temperature reach full of the fruit reaching a higher temperature than the layer
size. You should maintain a minimum temperature of 64 °F. just beneath the surface. This causes a rupturing between

9
adjacent cells, showing up as a split or burst skin. The that drips water through an absorbent material such as
mechanism is similar to that of the bimetallic coil in a cellulose or a synthetic fiber (commonly called “cool pads”
thermostat, except that the thermostat coil can tighten or or “wet pads”). All incoming air passes through this wet
loosen as the temperature changes, while the tomato skin fiber. Any water that drips through the fiber is collected
cannot; therefore, the skin tears. in a gutter at the bottom, and drains into a small holding
When the sun shines through the plastic greenhouse tank. Water is recirculated from the holding tank back to
covering onto the plants, it is common for leaf temperature the top of the cool pads. There needs to be a provision for
to be 30 degrees higher than the air temperature in the replacing water that is absorbed by the air passing through
greenhouse. As leaf temperature increases, leaves lose the cool pads. This is usually done with a “toilet tank-
more water to the atmosphere and make up for this loss by type” float valve controller.
taking up more water through the roots. This is how the Evaporative cooling is more effective when the air
plants keep from overheating. As long as there is ample outside the greenhouse has a low relative humidity. As
water surrounding the roots, this system works fine, up the relative humidity of the outside air increases, this
to a point. If there is ever a water shortage, plants wilt at technique becomes less effective. But so long as the relative
the tops, reducing the water loss. If the water loss is very humidity is less than 100 percent, this method will have
severe, plants wilt completely from top to bottom. Plants some cooling effect on the air.
revive from a mild wilt condition when water becomes
available or the stress situation is removed (as it is at Shade Cloth
night). But, if plants reach the “permanent wilting point,” A shade cloth can be used over the top of the
tissue is permanently damaged and they will not recover, greenhouse (outside) or suspended inside the greenhouse
even with plenty of water. above the crop. The most common materials are
Also, if the temperature climbs into the upper nineties, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and saran,
plants may not be able to retrieve enough water through although cheesecloth and tobacco netting can also be used.
their roots to make up for the rapid loss from their leaves, If used internally, the cloth can be suspended on
even if there is plenty available in the growing medium. At wires or some other type of framework. The advantage
this point, leaves become burned or scorched. They look as of an internal shade curtain is that it can be pulled back
if they have been touched with the flame of a propane torch. on cloudy days and spread out on sunny days as needed,
Remember —so long as the sun shines, the leaf temperature either manually or with small motors. The internal curtain
is considerably higher than the air temperature. usually has a reflective silver upper surface, with the lower
There are several ways to lower the air and plant surface dark or white. Do not use a curtain that is black on
temperature in the greenhouse. None are 100 percent top because it will accumulate heat.
successful by themselves in this climate because of the The disadvantage of using an internal shade cloth
extreme heat in Mississippi. However, any one of these is that light is converted to heat inside the greenhouse;
methods will lower the temperature to some extent. although plants receive less light, they don’t get the same
All of the following methods are used as additional reduction in heat. If the shade cloth is used outside the
cooling after exhaust fans have already been installed: greenhouse, sunlight is converted to heat before entering
the greenhouse.
Evaporative Cooling Shade cloths must be custom ordered to fit a
Evaporative cooling is probably the best way to greenhouse. Provide the supplier with the greenhouse
reduce greenhouse temperature. The principle is simple. dimensions so the company can sew together pieces to
As the exhaust fans blow air out of one end of the fit the structure. Grommets are sewn into the edges to
greenhouse, they draw in moist air from the other end. As provide a secure way of fastening the material down.
the moist air moves through the greenhouse, some of the Shade cloth is available in a number of different
water vaporizes, absorbing heat in the process. Moisture “percent shade” formulations. The appropriate amount
is supplied at the end opposite the fans with a system depends on the season it is applied and how many cloudy

10
 The most common product is Kool-Ray, from
Continental Products Co. This material is diluted with
water; use 2 to 20 parts water for 1 part Kool-Ray,
depending on the amount of shading desired. It is better
to apply a thin coat early in the season (using more water)
and then darken it later if needed. It is much easier
to darken the shade than to lighten it once it has been
applied. The ratio of 1 part Kool-Ray to 7 or 8 parts water
has worked well in Mississippi. About 10 gallons of dilute
solution covers a standard greenhouse (24 by 96 feet). It is
best to apply it as small droplets and try to avoid streaking.
Apply it during warm, dry weather so it sticks well.
Another product from this company, E-Z Off Kool-Ray, is
easier to remove from plastic and fiberglass greenhouses.
These products cost about $20 per gallon.
Rain during summer and fall wears most of the
compound away. Wash off any remaining compound with
Use a thermometer that records the high and low temperatures. water and rubbing. One technique is to tie rags or burlap
bags to a rope, toss the rope over the top of the greenhouse,
days are expected during the time period it is on. It is not and rub it back and forth over the top (with a partner on
convenient to remove the external shade cloth on cloudy the other side). It works even better if a hose is tied to the
days. For tomatoes, 50 percent shade during May and June midpoint, so that it sprays water on the roof as you rub. If
for the spring crop, and August and September for the fall necessary, commercial cleaners are available. If you use
crop, is recommended in Mississippi. commercial cleaners, be sure to rinse the greenhouse off
Be aware that the percent shade is not the same as the with water afterwards since the acid in these cleaners can
percent reduction in temperature. Research by Dr. Dan be corrosive to metal.
Willets at North Carolina State University shows that poly- Varishade, from Sunstill, Inc., is a product that turns
propylene shade cloth labelled at less than 30 percent shade darker in bright light and lighter in bad weather. When it
did not decrease greenhouse temperatures at all. With gets wet or moist, it is almost transparent, allowing 80 percent
higher percent shade ratings, the decrease in heat gain was of the light to enter. In sunny, dry weather it transmits only
about half of the shade rating. The covers were also more 35 percent of the light. It can be applied on glass or plastic.
effective on windy days because heat was dispersed more Inexpensive white latex paint will shade just as well as
efficiently from the cover outside the house. shade compound. However, you may not be able to remove
Shade cloth costs 10 to 20 cents per square foot, with it from plastic at the end of the hot season. Use paint only
additional charges for grommets, sewing panels together, if you will be replacing the plastic before the fall crop of
sewing reinforcement tape to edges, etc. For a standard- tomatoes. Then you won’t have to worry about trying to
sized, free-standing greenhouse (24 by 96 feet), this may clean off the paint. Mix 1 part white latex paint with 10
amount to $300 to $400. parts water. Apply with sprayer or long-handled roller.

Shade Compounds Other cooling techniques

Shade compounds have the same effect as shade cloths Use as much white in the house as possible. White floor
except they come in liquid form and are usually sprayed onto covering, bags, even strings, reflect light rather than absorb it
the outside surface of the greenhouse after being diluted with and convert it to heat. Insulated north walls can be painted
water. They can also be brushed or rolled like paint. white or silver. An additional benefit from using white is that
the light level is increased during the darker winter months.

11
 While “low profile” houses, those with a low roof, In a medium that drains extremely well, such as rice
require less heat during the cold season, they tend to be hotter hulls, 12 or more waterings per day may be needed to
in warmer months than those with a high roof. With more keep plants from drying out between waterings. In pine
head room, the heat has space along the peak where it collects bark, 6 to 12 waterings per day are usually adequate. The
before being exhausted. Without this extra head room, the important point is that plants should receive enough water
heat remains at plant height; therefore, greenhouses with so they do not wilt. A wilting plant is not growing. If the
vertical side walls of at least 9 feet are recommended. permanent wilting point is reached because of a prolonged
You can alleviate some of the fruit splitting during hot period without water, the growing point may be killed. To
weather by adding copper to the fertilizer solution. See be certain that plants receive enough water, allow enough
Splitting section under Physiological Disorders. so some drainage from the bags (10-20 percent) is apparent
after each watering.
Irrigation Be aware that a prolonged cloudy period followed by
Except in small hobby greenhouses, irrigation should bright sun may cause severe wilting. Be ready to increase
be controlled automatically, with the use of time clocks the amount of water in this situation.
or electronic controllers. The volume of water will vary
depending on the season and the size of plants. New pH
transplants need only about 2 ounces (50 ml) per plant per It is a good idea to check the nutrient solution pH daily
day. At maturity on sunny days, however, plants may need with a pH meter. At a minimum, check pH every time you
up to 3 quarts (2.7 liters or 2,700 ml) of water per plant per prepare fertilizer solution. A “pocket” pH meter is a tool
day. Generally, 2 quarts per plant per day are adequate for every grower should have.
fully grown or almost fully grown plants. Monitor plants The optimum pH range for the nutrient solution is
closely, especially for the first couple of weeks following 5.6 to 5.8. If the pH of the solution is too high, caused by
transplanting, so that the volume of water can be increased alkaline water, add an acid in small quantities to lower
as needed. Water should be delivered to each plant. This is the pH to within this range. The choices of materials
usually done with “spaghetti tubing” and emitters that carry to use are sulfuric acid (H2SO4), nitric acid (HNO3),
water from main lines to the base of each plant. or phosphoric acid (H3PO4). Sulfuric acid, the least
Each watering should include fertilizer (see expensive, can be purchased from an auto supply store
section on Fertility); therefore, the process is more as battery acid. However, there is an advantage to using
appropriately referred to as “fertigation.” Most growers phosphoric or nitric acid, since they supply nutrients
use from 6 to 12 waterings per day once plants are established. in addition to lowering the pH. (Phosphoric acid
supplies phosphorus and nitric acid supplies nitrogen.)

Shown are 10 greenhouse bays in a gutter-connected range (1/2 acre).

12
Although they are more expensive than sulfuric acid, they If the irrigation system, or emitters, become clogged
may be preferred for this reason. Phosphoric acid and during the production of a crop, they can be cleaned out after
nitric acid are inexpensive sources of these elements when the cropping season is over. Use an acid mixed with water
compared to other fertilizers. to adjust to a pH of 4.5. While this acidic mixture is running
Handle all acids very carefully because they through the system, tap emitters to break up any crust that
can cause injury. Nitric acid can be very hazardous. has formed. Do not do this while tomato plants are growing
Phosphoric acid lowers pH more than the other two for a in the greenhouse—a pH this low may kill plants!
given volume. It is advisable to use these acids directly
from the drum or container in which they are purchased Fertility
so there is no risk involved while pouring them. Never The subject of fertility is probably among the most
use vinegar (acetic acid) or swimming pool acid (sodium confusing for growers of greenhouse tomatoes; however,
bisulfate) to lower the pH. it is important to production. The keys to a successful
To determine how much acid to add to a bulk or nutrition program include the following:
concentrate tank of nutrient solution, take 1 gallon of • Use fertilizer designed specifically for
solution and add 1 ml of acid at a time until the pH of the greenhouse tomatoes.
nutrient solution is within the range stated. Then, multiply • Know how much of each fertilizer element is needed.
the amount added to 1 gallon times the number of gallons • Know how much is being applied.
in the tank. If you are using a bulk tank, this is the amount • Check the electrical conductivity (EC) and pH levels.
of acid to add. However, if you are using an injector • Be observant for signs that plants may be deficient
system, multiply this amount by (times) the ratio. or have an excess of a nutrient.
Be aware that the pH scale is not linear; it is • Monitor plant nutrient status by periodically
logarithmic. For example, if 10 drops lower the pH from taking samples for tissue analysis (see section on
8.0 to 7.5, there is no reason to believe that 20 drops will this topic).
lower the pH to 7.0. You may reach the point where one
more drop lowers the pH to 5.0 or lower. So, be careful! Fertilizer Measurement and Vocabulary
A pH that is too low can be very damaging to the crop. Several units are used to express the fertility level
Check and double check the pH after adjusting it with acid. of nutrient solutions (fertilizer dissolved in water). This
If the pH is too low (below 5.5), you can bring it up by causes confusion among growers since the use of different
using materials such as sodium carbonate, caustic soda, units makes it difficult to understand different readings
potassium bicarbonate, potassium hydroxide, or caustic among growers. This section explains the different units.
potash. The recommended material is potassium carbonate,
which has a pH of 8.2. This will also supply potassium.
Avoid the sodium sources since plants do not need sodium.

Table 2. General guidelines for amount of fertilizer to use.

Stage of growth Nitrogen Total dissolved solids Electroconductivity
(ppm) (TDS) (EC)
(ppm) (mmhos)
Germination to first true leaf fully expanded 50 450-500 0.6-0.7
First true leaf to third true leaf fully expanded 50-75 550-600 0.6-0.7
Third leaf to transplant 75-100 600-800 0.7-0.9
Transplant to second cluster set 100-125 800-1,100 0.9-1.8
Second cluster to topping 125-200 1,100-1,600 1.8-2.2

13
 Electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the ability are applying. Parts per million (ppm) is the unit used to
of a solution to conduct electricity—the more concentrated measure nitrogen concentration, or any other specific nutrient
the fertilizer solution, the more electricity it will conduct in solution. These units are usually within the range of 50 to
and the higher the reading will be. The general unit is mho 300 ppm for nitrogen. For mature, producing plants, 125 to
(pronounced MO) with the plural being mhos (pronounced 200 ppm nitrogen (N) is needed, depending on the particular
MOZE). You will notice that mho spelled backwards is circumstances. This is not directly related to or convertible
ohm (pronounced OM), the unit of resistance in electrical to an exact measure of EC or total dissolved solids (TDS)
jargon. Mhos, the reverse of ohms, is a measure of in a nutrient solution (see below). This is because both EC
conductivity rather than resistance. and total dissolved solids are measurements of everything
There are two units of mhos commonly used: micro- dissolved in the solution, not just nitrogen.
mhos (µmhos) (pronounced micro-MOZE) and millimhos Another way of measuring the amount of fertilizer
(mmhos) (pronounced milli-MOZE). A micromho is one in solution is by measuring dissolved solids. This is also
millionth of a mho and a millimho is one thousandth of a referred to as total dissolved solids or TDS. The units
mho. Therefore, there are 1,000 micromhos in a millimho. commonly used for TDS are also parts per million (ppm). If
Another way of looking at it is that a millimho is 1,000 times you knew the ppm of each element dissolved in the solution,
bigger than a micromho. Either scale can be used. Convert and added them up, along with the ppm of the water, you
from micromhos to millimhos by sliding the decimal would get the ppm TDS. This is a measure of all salts in
point 3 places to the left, and vice versa. Typical readings solution, not just nitrogen, so it is not the same as measuring
of millimhos are 0.30 to 2.50, while typical readings of ppm of nitrogen. Some of these salts may have been in the
micromhos are 300 to 2,500. Millimhos are more commonly water supply before any fertilizer was added. For this reason,
used than micromhos on most meters today. this form of measurement is not recommended. If a reading
Some portable EC meters measure in microsemens is 1,500 ppm TDS, how do you know if this is due to nitrogen
(µs). These are equivalent to micromhos (µmhos), and are or some other nutrient? You don’t. You even may have water
more commonly used in European countries. very high in sodium (salt) with no nitrogen. TDS is not a
The best way to understand the nutrient status of a reliable measurement for this reason.
fertilizer solution and to communicate with other people is The readings of ppm dissolved solids are not directly
to know how many parts per million of each element you convertible to millimhos or micromhos for a fertilizer;
however, the conversions can be calculated for specific
fertilizers. A rule of thumb (very crude conversion)
is if your millimho reading is in the range 0.9 to 1.9,
then mmhos x 680 = ppm total dissolved solids. If your
millimho reading is in the range 2.0 to 2.8, then mmhos x
700 = ppm total dissolved solids. Remember–this is only a
rule of thumb and does not give an exact conversion.
An important point: Any time dissolved solids or EC
are measured in a solution, it is very important to know the
dissolved solids or EC of the water source used to make
the solution (it cannot be assumed to be 0). There may
be sodium or some other dissolved element in your tap
water that can lead to false readings when you measure
your nutrient solution. Subtract the water source EC or
dissolved solids measurement from that of the nutrient
solution to find the true value caused by fertilizer. This is
the number to compare to charts to decide if the correct
amount of fertilizer is in solution.
Exhaust fans are essential to remove heat even in the winter.

14
Methods of Mixing Fertilizers higher priced injectors are adjustable. A knob or dial on
There are two principal systems for mixing fertilizers: the head can be turned to increase or decrease the dose of
the bulk tank system and the injector or proportioner fertilizer concentrate injected into the water. The fertilizer
system. Both methods are acceptable and can produce high solution goes from the concentrate tank to the injector,
yields and excellent quality tomatoes. where it is diluted by being injected into the irrigation
system. A water meter monitors the flow of water and then
Bulk Tanks sends out a signal when enough water has passed through.
The bulk tank system consists of a tank (plastic, The meter can be mechanical or electrical. This signal from
concrete, steel, PVC, etc.) of appropriate size depending on the meter is a pulse of water, which is sent to the pilot valve
the square footage of the greenhouse(s). A 100-gallon tank (skinner valve). This small volume of water is discarded
is fine for one greenhouse, whereas a 1,000 to 2,000 gallon after it passes through the pilot valve.
tank may be preferable for several greenhouses. The larger Concentrate is held in small containers (e.g., 10 to
the tank, the less frequently it will have to be filled. But if 50 gallons). Two heads and two concentrate tanks (at a
the tank is too large, you will have to wait too long until it minimum) are needed: one for the calcium nitrate (tank
is empty to mix up a new batch of fertilizer of a stronger B) and the other for all other nutrients (tank A). This is
concentration or with some other change in the formula. necessary so calcium does not combine chemically with
For a new grower, or a grower with only one or two bays, phosphates or sulfates when the elements are in high
the bulk tank system is easier to understand and probably concentration, especially under a high pH. The resulting
causes fewer mistakes, providing that the directions that compounds, calcium hydrogen phosphate or calcium
come with the fertilizer are followed. sulfate, are hard precipitates and can clog the injector
Mixing fertilizer is a matter of adding so many ounces and irrigation system. However, once these elements are
(or pounds) of dry fertilizer per 100 gallons of water. The diluted, there is no problem. If the pH is higher than 5.8, it is
fertilizer must be completely dissolved in the water. Any advisable to use a third head to inject acid. This is needed to
precipitate (settled out fertilizer) will not reach the plants. keep the pH in the 5.6 - 5.8 range (see pH section above).
Therefore, it may be necessary to stir the solution, by With an injector system, there is no cost involved for
hand with a “paddle” or with an electric mixer, or use a the large tank needed for the bulk tank system. However, a
circulation pump. Be sure to check the pH and EC of the high quality injector can be expensive.
solution each time you mix a new batch. You can control the fertility level with an injector
system better than with a bulk tank system since you
Injectors can adjust the dose by simply turning a knob or dial.
With the injector system, a concentrated mixture of Furthermore, as better precision in the fertility program
fertilizer solution is diluted with the injector (proportioner) to is desired (as money permits), you can add more injector
the final concentration required by the plants. The simplest heads. Ultimately, a head can be used for each fertilizer
and least expensive type of injector is a hozon proportioner, element. Individual adjustments can be made based on
often used for fertilizing lawns and garden plants, but it regular tissue analyses.
is not appropriate for commercial production. The most
complicated and expensive is the Anderson Injector; there are Injector Calibration
many intermediate models in cost and complexity. It is important to know the injection ratio so you can
Generally, the more you spend, the more accurate the calculate how much fertilizer to mix in the concentrate
injector is. Inexpensive models will vary their injection ratio tanks. Some come with tables that designate this ratio,
depending on water pressure, which is often variable. This i.e., 1:9, 1:16, 1:100, 1:200. On certain brands, the ratio is
is because the injection is timed rather than depending on designated as a percent, i.e., 1 percent rather than 1:100. Some
volume of water. Better models are dose specific, meaning injectors let you adjust this ratio by turning a knob or a dial,
that the concentrate injected depends on a given volume of or by adding rings, while others are fixed at one setting.
water passing through the device. Equally important, the

15
 If you do not know the ratio, it is necessary to calibrate The Modified Steiner Solution will supply nutrients as
the injector to learn this important number. Using a follows:
beaker or graduated cylinder, measure how much water ppm in solution at 100% strength
is sucked up by the injector in one minute. Then, using 171 N (nitrogen)
several beakers, one at each of several emitters (that is, ten 48 P (phosphorus)
locations), measure how much water is distributed to plants 304 K (potassium)
in one minute. Take an average of the number of beakers 180 Ca (calcium)
in which water is collected in the greenhouse. Multiply this 48 Mg (magnesium)
average amount emitted per plant in one minute by the 3 Fe (iron)
number of emitters in the greenhouse. The injection ratio is 1-2 Mn (manganese)
the ratio of the output to the input. Divide the total amount 1 B (boron)
emitted in the greenhouse in one minute by the total amount 0.4 Zn (zinc)
sucked up in one minute. State the ratio as 1:X, where X 0.2 Cu (copper)
is the number you get after dividing. Your concentrated 0.1 Mo (molybdenum)
solution is diluted X times with water. (There are X parts
water for each one part of concentrated fertilizer solution.) The suggested use of the Modified Steiner Solution is
as follows:
Plant Response Fall Crop
How do you know what is the right amount of 1. transplant to first bloom
fertilizer? In addition to following the directions on the bag on fourth cluster 40 - 50% concentrate
and taking regular foliar analyses, the plant also gives an 2. above to end of crop 85 - 90% concentrate
indication. If tops of plants “ball up” with dense, curling-
under growth, the nutrient solution is a little high in Spring Crop
nitrogen. Another sign of having nitrogen too high is when 1. transplant to first bloom
the clusters of flowers end in leaves or shoot growth (these on fourth cluster 40 - 50% concentrate
should be pruned off). This condition will not necessarily 2. above to first bloom on
decrease yield unless nitrogen is excessively high. fifth cluster 85 - 90% concentrate
If stem diameter is extremely small and plants are 3. above until May 1 100% concentrate
spindly, fertilizer concentration is too low. Other signs 4. above to June 1 75% concentrate
include faded or yellowed foliage, decreased vigor, 5. above to end of crop 60% concentrate
blossoms that don’t set fruit, and yield reduction. Other
fertilizer deficiency symptoms are discussed in the section As you can see, the Modified Steiner Solution never
Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms. calls for more than 171 ppm nitrogen during the life of the
crop. Most of the time, the fertility level is much lower.
Modified Steiner Solution There are many disagreements about the proper level of
One of the most recognized nutrient solutions is fertilizer solution to use. Some people feel that the levels
the Modified Steiner Solution. The original Steiner in the Modified Steiner Solution are too low for optimum
Solution was published by Dr. Abram A. Steiner in an production; however, the majority of researchers agree that
article called “Soilless Culture,” in the Proceedings of these levels and ratios are appropriate to grow greenhouse
the 6th Colloquium of the International Potash Institute tomatoes, and, therefore, they are the basis of many of the
at Florence, Italy, in 1968. Dr. John Larsen (Professor commercial fertilizers on the market today.
Emeritus, retired, of Texas A&M University) modified
this formula according to his research involving plant
requirements and tissue analysis. According to Dr. Larsen,
there is no need to exceed a level of 200 ppm nitrogen.

16
Commercial Fertilizers Table 3 shows how much will be applied at the rates
Various commercial fertilizer mixes are available for indicated. With this table, you can check the concentration
use in bulk tank systems or with injectors. Some mixes with an EC meter. The EC of the solution with both
are “complete,” while others require the purchase of fertilizers should be 1.86 when mixed as shown. Be sure
additional calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, magnesium to subtract the ppm or TDS of the source water from the
sulfate (same as Epsom salts), sequestered iron (Fe 330), or reading of the nutrient solution before comparing the
some other fertilizer. Follow the recommendations on the reading to the table. The relationship between TDS, EC, and
bag exactly as stated if you use these commercial blends. ppm N is unique for each fertilizer. Therefore, Table 3 does
Adjust as needed after gaining experience. The most not apply to other fertilizers. Make it a practice to check the
common mistake new growers make is not following the EC of the solution each time that you mix a new batch.
directions concerning amount of fertilizer.
Table 4. Concentration of nutrients supplied from TotalGro
The choice of a commercial fertilizer is up to the 3-13-29 plus calcium nitrate at rates in Table 3
grower. However, be certain that the mix has been Nutrient PPM
formulated specifically for greenhouse tomatoes. An all- Nitrate Nitrogen (N) 110
purpose fertilizer such as 20-20-20 is not appropriate for Phosphorus (P) 49
this crop, although it is fine for bedding plants and other Potassium (K) 240

general use in the greenhouse. Calcium (Ca) 100

Magnesium (Mg) 54
For educational purposes, three examples showing
Sulfur (S) 110
how to use some of the commercial mixes are provided.
Iron (Fe) 3.4
The mention of a brand name is not an endorsement and is
Manganese (Mn) 1
not meant to exclude other brands on the market.
Copper (Cu) 1
Zinc (Zn) 0.46
TotalGro Bag Culture Tomato Special (3-13-29) Boron (B) 1
Source: TotalGro, P.O. Box 805, Winnsboro, LA 71295 Molybdenum (Mo) 0.1
(1- 800-433-3055).
For the southern part of the United States, this is a low
nitrogen-type fertilizer designed especially for growing Hydro-Gardens Chem-Gro Tomato Formula (4-18-38)
greenhouse tomatoes using pine bark. It contains 3 Source: Hydro-Gardens, Inc., P.O. Box 25845, Colorado

percent nitrogen (N), 13 percent phosphate (P2O5), and 29 Springs, CO 80936-5845 (1-800-634-6362).

percent potash (K2O). In addition, it provides all of the This is a low nitrogen-type fertilizer, supplying 4 percent

magnesium (Mg) required, as well as S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, nitrogen (N), 18 percent phosphate (P2O5), and 38 percent

and Zn. This fertilizer does not contain calcium, so use in potash (K2O). In addition, it provides Mg, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo,

conjunction with calcium nitrate. and Zn. This fertilizer does not supply calcium, so calcium

When used at the recommended rates (Table 3) and nitrate must be used in conjunction with the 4-18-38.

combined with calcium nitrate as shown, it will supply

Table 5. Amount of Chem-Gro (4-18-38) and other fertil-
100 ppm nitrogen and all of the calcium and magnesium izers to use per 100 gallons of water for each stage of plant
needed, in addition to the other nutrients (Table 4). growth

Submit tissue samples for laboratory analysis to Plant age Chem- Calcium Mag- Potas-
Gro nitrate nesium sium
determine when fertilizer rates need to be adjusted. (4-18-38) (ounces) sulfate nitrate
(ounces) (ounces) (ounces)
Table 3. Amount of TotalGro (3-13-29) plus calcium nitrate Seedlings 8 4 4 0
to use per 100 gallons of water for 110 ppm N.
Second to fourth 8 8 4 0
Ounces of fertil- ppm Nitrogen EC (mmhos/cm) flower clusters
izer per 100 gallons
water Fourth and higher 8 8 5 1.6
flower clusters
13.3 ounces 3-13-29 30 1.26
7 ounces calcium nitrate 80 0.60

17
 The recommendations for mixing Chem-Gro are Table 6. Nitrogen concentration supplied at various EC read-
shown in Table 5. In addition, if the source water has less ings using Peters Peat-Lite Special (15-11-29)

than 50 ppm calcium, then add calcium chloride in an EC Nitrogen

mmhos/cm (ppm)
amount equal to 25 percent of the calcium nitrate used per
0.34 50
100 gallons water. This can be added to the calcium nitrate
0.52 75
concentrate tank, if an injector system is being used.
0.69 100
0.86 125
Peters Peat-Lite Special (15-11-29) 1.03 150
Source: Peters Fertilizer Products, The Scotts Company, 14111 1.21 175
Scotts Lawn Rd., Marysville, OH 43041 (1-800-492-8255). 1.38 200
This supplies 15 percent, 11 percent, and 29 percent 1.55 225

of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P2O5), and potash (K2O), 1.72 250

respectively, in addition to small amounts of Mg, Fe, Mn, 1.90 275

2.07 300
B, Zn, Cu, and Mo.
According to the directions, 9 ounces of fertilizer per
gallon of concentrate will provide 100 ppm N if a 1:100 How To Calculate Element Concentration in
injector is used. For 50 ppm N with a 1:100 injector, use half a Fertilizer
this amount. Likewise, for 200 ppm N with a 1:100 injector, There are many times when you need to know how

use 18 ounces per gallon of concentrate. Adjust the amount much of a fertilizer element (such as nitrogen) is contained

of fertilizer up or down, depending on the maturity stage in the fertilizer solution. The concentration is usually

of the crop. The same amount would be used for a bulk measured in units of parts per million (ppm). This simply

tank system per 100 gallons of water (since 1 gallon of means the number of parts of a fertilizer element per

concentrate used with a 1:100 injector is the same as using million parts of water, on a weight basis. For example, 1

100 gallons of mixed nutrient solution in bulk). part nitrogen per 1 million parts of water is 1 ppm; or, 1

Table 6 coordinates the EC reading with the ppm of pound of nitrogen per 1 million pounds of water is 1 ppm.

nitrogen for this fertilizer. Be sure to subtract the EC of The following formulas are ways to calculate the

the water from the reading of the nutrient solution before concentration of any fertilizer element in water. They are

comparing the reading to Table 6. This fertilizer does not easy to use, and a couple of examples are shown. By using

contain adequate calcium or magnesium, so these must be these equations, you will be able to know exactly how much

added from other sources. To accomplish this, use only half of each fertilizer element you are feeding your plants.

15-11-29 with the other half of the nitrogen source coming You can use the following formulas to calculate the

from calcium nitrate. This way, you are able to supply amount of any fertilizer element, not just nitrogen.

calcium as well. To supply 100 ppm nitrogen, use 4.5 ounces There is essentially only one formula; however, if you

15-11-29 (instead of 9 ounces) and 4.5 ounces calcium nitrate are using an injector system, there is another factor to use,

(calcium nitrate is 15.5% N; about the same N content as 15- namely the injection ratio. With a bulk tank system, there

11-29) per gallon. In addition, add 1.8 ounces magnesium is no injector, and, therefore, no injection ratio, so this

sulfate (epsom salt) and 0.07 ounces (2 grams) iron chelate number is left out.

per gallon to supply magnesium and iron. As you need to

go up or down in feed, maintain the same ratios of these #1. Injector System
fertilizers. For example, for 150 ppm N, use 6.75 ounces 15- ppm = (% fertilizer) x (lb added to tank) x (16 oz per lb) x

11-29, 6.75 ounces calcium nitrate, 2.7 ounces magnesium (.75) x (100 / gal of concentrate) x (1 / ratio of injector)

sulfate, and 0.105 ounces (3 grams) iron chelate per gallon.

For source water with a high alkalinity (total carbonates), #2. Bulk Tank System
the manufacturer suggests using Peters Excel K-Cell 14-5-38. ppm = (% fertilizer) x (lb added to tank) x (16 oz per lb) x
(.75) x (100 / gal of bulk tank)

18
Examples Solubility Limits of Fertilizers
Example 1. You use 25 pounds of a 15-11-29 fertilizer mix There are limits on how much of a fertilizer will
in a 30-gallon concentrate tank, then use a 1:100 Anderson dissolve in water. These are the solubility limits. It is
injector. How much nitrogen are your plants getting? important that you dissolve the fertilizer completely.
Since you have an injector system, use formula #1. Otherwise, it will settle out in your tank, and the plants
ppm = (15) x (25) x (16) x (.75) x (100/30) x (1/100) will not get their full dose. The following are the solubility
ppm = 150 ppm nitrogen limits of some fertilizers in 100 gallons of cold water.
If you put more than these amounts of fertilizer in 100
Example 2. You use a bulk tank system with 15 pounds gallons of cold water, some fertilizer will not dissolve. If
of 8-5-16 fertilizer mix. Your bulk tank holds 600 gallons there is a problem with dissolving the fertilizer, it may be
of fertilizer. You also add 10 pounds of potassium nitrate necessary to mix the fertilizer with a circulating pump or a
(13.75% N) to be sure the plants get plenty of nitrogen. mechanical mixer or use hot water (180 °F).
How much nitrogen are the plants getting?

Fertilizer Pounds Kg in
Since you have a bulk tank system, use formula #2. soluble in 100 Liters
100 gallons
ppm from 8-5-16 = (8) x (15) x (16) x (.75) x (100/600)
cold water
= 240 ppm N Ammonium nitrate 984 118
ppm from KNO3 = (13.75) x (10) x (16) x (.75) x Ammonium sulfate 592 71
(100/600) = 275 ppm N Calcium nitrate 851 102
Total ppm N = 240 + 275 = 515 Calcium chloride 500 60
Diammonium phosphate (DAP) 358 43

This is much too high for greenhouse tomatoes. Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) 192 23
Potassium nitrate 108 13
Urea 651 78
Nutrient Composition of Fertilizers
Borax 8 1
For your handy reference, the list shows the amount of
Magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) 592 71
each element in the following fertilizers:
Potassium chloride 290 35
Potassium sulfate 83 10

Fertilizer Percent elemental composition P and K Conversions

Calcium nitrate 15.5% N, 19% Ca If you need to calculate phosphate or potash content of
Potassium nitrate 13.75% N, 44.5% K2O your fertilizer solution, be aware that the middle number
Ammonium nitrate 34% N in the fertilizer grade is in the form of phosphate or P2O5
Urea 46% N (not phosphorus) and the third number is in the form of
Phosphoric acid 75% P2O5 (% can vary) potash or K2O (not potassium). To convert between units,
Magnesium sulfate 9.7% Mg (same as epsom salt),13%
S
use the following formulas:
Potassium sulfate 50% K2O, 14.4% S
Ammonium sulfate 21% N, 24% S K x 1.205 = K2O
Potassium chloride 60% K2O, 47% chloride (same as K2O x 0.83 = K
muriate of potash)
P x 2.291 = P2O5
Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) 12% N, 61% P2O5
P2O5 x 0.437 = P
Diammonium phosphate (DAP) 16% N, 48% P2O5
Monopotassium phosphate (MKP) 52% P2O5, 34% K2O
Calcium chloride 36% Ca

19
Derivation of Fertilizer Calculation Formulas and If you are using 5 pounds of the 15 percent fertilizer in 500
Further Explanation gallons, this is the equation:
If you would like to know where the above formulas
come from, read on. If you do not want to know the ppm N = (15% N) x (5 lb) x (16 oz per lb) x (.75) x (100/500).
derivation, skip this section and just use the formulas,
being assured they are accurate. This multiplies out to be 180 ppm N, a reasonable
The formulas are based on the following law of physics: amount for a mature crop of tomatoes. If you had a smaller
1 ounce of any 100 percent soluble fertilizer in 100 gallons of tank, about 25 gallons, and used 1/4 pound of the 15
water always equals 75 ppm. This is always true, regardless percent fertilizer, the equation to adjust the amount in 25
of what is being dissolved in the water; however, it does gallons up to 100 gallons would be as follows:
assume the fertilizer is completely dissolved.
Why is this true? First of all, accept the fact that 1 ppm N = (15% N) x (0.25 lb) x (16 oz per lb) x (.75) x (100/25).
gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds. Then, if you take 1
ounce of any fertilizer (or anything else soluble) and put Multiplying through, you should get 180 ppm N.
it in 100 gallons of water, you are putting that 1 ounce in This is all you need to know to calculate ppm N in any
834 pounds of water (100 gallons x 8.34 pounds/gallon) bulk tank system.
or 13,344 ounces (834 pounds x 16 ounces in a pound). If you have an injector (proportioner), you also need
One part in 13,344 equals 0.0000749 (divide 1 by 13,344). to know the injection ratio. For example, is it injecting
To find out how many parts per million this is, multiply 1:9 or 1:20 or 1:100? Whatever the ratio is, multiply it by
it by 1,000,000. For example, we have 0.0000749 parts per the rest of the equation. If you have determined that you
1. Multiply by 1 million to find how many parts this is per have a 1:100 injector, and are using 50 pounds of a 15
million. So, 0.0000749 x 1,000,000 equals 74.94 ppm. We can percent nitrogen fertilizer in a 50-gallon stock solution
round this off to 75 parts per million (ppm). (concentrate), set up the equation as follows:
Now, to find out the concentration of a fertilizer
element in water, you need to know the weight of the ppm N = (15% N) x (50 lb) x (16 oz per lb)
fertilizer and the percent strength of the fertilizer, since x (.75) x (100/50) x (1/100).
they are never 100 percent in strength. A 15-11-20 fertilizer
is 15 percent nitrogen. Assume you are using 1.5 pounds Multiplying this out, you will get 180 ppm N. Set up
of a 15 percent nitrogen fertilizer in a 100-gallon water the injector ratio as 1/100 since the injector is diluting the
tank, and you want to know how many ppm N this is. You concentrate with water 100 times.
would set up the equation as follows: This system will work with any injector ratio and
any size concentrate tank. Simply plug in the numbers to
ppm N = (15% N) x (1.5 lb) x (16 oz per lb) x (.75). customize the formula to your own system.

If you multiply this out, you will get 270 ppm, a very Leachate
high amount for tomatoes. You are using 0.75 rather After each feeding, some fertilizer solution (referred to as
than 75 because this lets you use the percent nitrogen (15 leachate) should drain from the bottoms of bags. If there is no
percent) rather than the decimal form (0.15). The above leachate, the plants are probably not getting enough water.
formula will work fine as long as you are mixing with 100 Check the EC of the leachate to determine how much
gallons of water. fertility the plants are using. The EC of the leachate should
What if you have a larger or smaller tank? You simply be fairly close to the EC of the nutrient solution (less than
set up a multiplier to adjust the equation. If you have a 0.5 mmhos different). If it approaches 2.5 to 3.0 mmhos, too
500-gallon tank, multiply by 100/500, which will adjust much fertilizer is accumulating in the bags and the roots
the amount in 500 gallons down to what it would be in 100 may burn from this high concentration.
gallons (since this is how the first rule discussed is set up).

20
Leaf Tissue Analysis If salts have accumulated to high levels around the roots
It is a good idea to have tomato leaf tissue analyzed (indicated by high EC readings of the leachate), certain
periodically to determine if the plants are receiving the nutrients will not be taken up well. If plants do not receive
best levels of nutrients. This technique can be used to adequate water, they wilt and will not take up enough
“troubleshoot” problems with unhealthy looking plants, or fertilizer. These situations support tissue analysis as the
as a monthly check on nutrient levels. Save these monthly best indicator of the nutrient status of plants.
checks so you can refer to them in diagnosing problems
that might occur. Table 7. Recommended levels of elements in tomato leaf
It is very important to take leaf samples from the correct tissue.
N 4.0-5.5% Fe 100-250 ppm
location on the plants to get reliable results. Take the sample
P 0.3-1.0% Zn 30-150 ppm
according to the directions of the lab to which you will send
K 4.0-7.0% Mn 40-300 ppm
the sample. For Mississippi growers, remove one leaf from
Ca 1.0-5.0% Cu 5- 25 ppm
each plant, collecting six to eight leaves for one sample.
Mg 0.4-1.5% B 35-100 ppm
Select the leaf for this sample that is just above a fruit about Mo 0.15-5.0 ppm
2 inches in diameter (about the size of a golf ball). Taking
leaves higher or lower on the plant will have serious effects
on the level of nutrients shown in the test report, especially Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms
for nitrogen and other highly mobile elements. In addition to having tissue analysis done periodically
Send leaf samples to the laboratory at Mississippi State to check the nutrient status of plants, growers should be
University (Soil Testing and Plant Analysis, Box 9610, on the lookout for symptoms which occur when plants
Mississippi State, MS 39762) or any private lab. Wrap the are deficient in a nutrient. The following will help identify
leaves in dry paper towels and mail in a large envelope. these nutrient deficiencies:
At Mississippi State University, the fee is $10 for Nitrogen (N) — Restricted growth of tops, roots, and
Mississippi residents, and $15 for samples from outside of especially lateral shoots. Plants become spindly, with
the state. Most greenhouse fertilizer manufacturers also general chlorosis of entire plant to a light green, and then
have a testing service available. a yellowing of older leaves that proceeds upwards toward
When sending a sample to Mississippi State younger leaves. Older leaves defoliate early. Generally,
University, include a “Plant Analysis Information Sheet” veins of younger leaves show purpling on undersides
(Extension Form 700) with the sample, filled out as when deficiency is severe in tomatoes.
completely as possible. These are available from your Phosphorus (P) — Restricted and spindly growth
county Extension office. similar to that of nitrogen deficiency. Leaf color is usually
Test results list the macronutrients as a percent, while dull, dark green to bluish green with purpling of petioles
the micronutrients are listed as parts per million (ppm). The and the veins on undersides of younger leaves. Young
optimum levels of nutrients for tissue of mature (producing) leaves are yellowish green with purple veins with N
tomato plants are as shown in Table 7. Adjust the fertilizer deficiency and dark green with P deficiency. Otherwise N
solution so the appropriate corrections can be made. and P deficiencies are very much alike.
Keep in mind that what is in the fertilizer solution is Potassium (K) — Mature, lower leaves show
not always what the plants get. If there is any kind of stress interveinal chlorosis and marginal necrotic spots or
situation, plants may not take up all of the nutrients that scorching that progresses inward and also upward
you are putting into the bags (or other containers). For toward younger leaves as deficiency becomes more
example, if the root temperature is below 58 °F, you may severe. The fruit often ripens unevenly or shows blotchy
see purpling in the leaves, a sign of phosphorus deficiency, green to yellow patches on red ripe fruit. Fruit sometimes
since phosphorus is not taken up well when roots are cool. falls off the plants just before ripening. Deficiency may also
cause soft or spongy fruit. If this is the case, increase the K
level up to 400-450 ppm.

21
 Calcium (Ca) — From slight chlorosis to brown or Manganese (Mn) — Starts with interveinal chlorotic
black scorching of new leaf tips and die-back of growing mottling of immature leaves, and in many plants it
points. The scorched and die-back portion of tissue is very is indistinguishable from iron deficiency. On fruiting
slow to dry so that it does not crumble easily. The first plants, the blossom buds often do not fully develop but
symptom is usually blossom-end rot of the fruit (see section turn yellow and abort. As the deficiency becomes more
on Physiological Disorders). Boron deficiency also causes severe, the new growth becomes completely yellow, but in
scorching of new leaf tips and die-back of growing points, contrast to iron deficiency, necrotic spots usually appear
but calcium deficiency does not promote the growth of in the interveinal tissue. In tomatoes that show some
lateral shoots and short internodes as does boron deficiency, interveinal chlorotic mottling caused by a manganese
and boron deficiency does not cause blossom-end rot. deficiency, some of the bloom buds on the flowering
Magnesium (Mg) — Interveinal chlorotic mottling or clusters show incomplete development and do not develop
marbling of the older leaves, which proceeds toward the into blooms. During the short days of December and
younger leaves as the deficiency becomes more severe. January, the plants often show no blooms at all.
The chlorotic interveinal yellow patches usually occur Zinc (Zn) — In some plants, interveinal chlorotic
toward the center of leaves with the margins being the mottling first appears on the older leaves, and in others it
last to turn yellow. In some crops, the interveinal yellow appears on the immature leaves. It eventually affects the
patches are followed by colorful orange to red coloring. As growing points and causes smaller than normal leaves. This
the deficiency increases in severity, the interveinal chlorosis is sometimes referred to as “mouse ear.” The interveinal
is followed by necrotic spots or patches and marginal chlorotic mottling is the same as that for iron and manganese
scorching of the leaves. On plants with mature fruit, the deficiency, except for the little leaf. When the onset of zinc
interveinal chlorotic yellow patches usually do not start deficiency is sudden, such as when zinc is left out of the
on the oldest leaves but on those toward the middle of the nutrient solution, the chlorosis can appear identical to that of
plant. Magnesium can be applied as a foliar spray; use 2 iron and manganese deficiency without the little leaf.
tablespoons of magnesium sulfate per gallon of water. Boron (B) — Symptoms include slight chlorosis to
Sulfur (S) — Resembles nitrogen deficiency in that brown or black scorching of new leaf tips and die-back
older leaves become yellowish green; stems become thin, of the growing points similar to calcium deficiency. The
hard, and woody. Some plants show colorful orange and brown and black die-back tissue is dry, brittle, and easily
red tints rather than yellowing. The stems, although hard crumbled. The pith of affected stems may be hollow, and
and woody, increase in length but not in diameter. the epidermis roughened and cracked. In addition to
Iron (Fe) — Starts with interveinal chlorotic mottling scorching of new leaf tips, die-back of growing points, and
or a general yellowing of immature leaves. In severe cases, cracked stems, plants have short internodes with prolific
the new leaves become almost white (completely lacking in lateral shoot development that may develop on midribs
chlorophyll) but with little or no necrotic spots. The chlorotic of the leaves and on the flower clusters. The mildest
mottling of immature leaves starts first near the base of the symptom shown on mature fruit is minute cracking to
leaflet so that the middle of the leaf appears to have a yellow heavier concentric cracking in the skin on the shoulders.
streak. If additional iron is needed, 1/4 ounce of Fe 330 iron With severe deficiency, fruit may show a distinct cracked,
chelate (9.7 percent iron) in 100 gallons of water provides brown, corky area under the calyx.
1.9 ppm iron. Achieve this by using 1 1/2 teaspoons in 100 Copper (Cu) — Leaves at the top of the plant wilt
gallons. Alternatively, iron can be applied as a foliar spray, easily. This is followed by chlorotic and necrotic areas
using 1/4 teaspoon per gallon. in the leaves. Leaves on top half of plant show unusual
puckering with veinal chlorosis. There may be an absence
of a knot on the leaf where the petiole joins the main
stem of plant beginning about 10 or more leaves below
growing point. Splitting of ripe fruit, especially under
warm temperatures, is an indication of low copper.

22
Increase copper in the nutrient solution up to 0.5 to 1.0 • Increase the supply of copper in the nutrient solution
ppm if it is lower, or up to a maximum of 2 ppm. up to 2 ppm. One tablespoon of copper sulfate in
Molybdenum (Mo) — Older leaves show interveinal 1,000 gallons of water will supply 1 ppm copper.
chlorotic blotches, become cupped and thickened. Chlorosis Do not try to grow greenhouse tomatoes through the
continues upward to younger leaves as deficiency progresses. summer in Mississippi; the resulting fruit will usually
This deficiency is seldom seen in greenhouse tomatoes. show this disorder.
Splitting can also occur when the night temperature is too
Physiological Disorders low, followed by a sunny day, such as in late fall or winter. Be
Many problems that occur with tomatoes are not sure the night temperature is not lower than 64 ºF.
caused by insects or diseases. These problems are due to
environment (temperature, humidity, light, water, etc.) or Catfacing
nutrition and are termed “physiological disorders.” Listed This is a malformation, scarring, or cracking of fruit
are descriptions of the most common disorders: at the blossom end, sometimes leaving “holes” in the fruit
exposing the locules. This defect is caused by very high or
Radial Cracking low temperatures during fruit set, or any disturbance to
These are cracks that radiate out from the calyx (stem the flower parts. It may also be a result of 2,4-D herbicide
end) of the fruit and proceed downwards. If one crack injury. Some varieties are less susceptible than others.
is less than one-half inch long and not deep, the fruit is
still marketable. If cracks are deeper, longer, or more Minute Cracking (Russetting)
numerous, the fruit is not marketable. These cracks are Russetting is a condition in which the fruit skin appears
caused by too much water following too little water; very roughened, especially along the shoulder. Close examination
fast growth with high temperature and moisture; or a large reveals thousands of minute cracks on the fruit surface. This
difference between day and night temperatures. Also, be is very different from the more common concentric cracking
sure that the fertilizer level is adequate (check your EC). (rings) or radial cracking (splits coming out from the stem
end) on the top of the fruit. These cracks are so small they
Concentric Cracking might be mistaken for a roughened skin. The same situation
These cracks are in the formation of concentric occurs with bell peppers, pears, and potatoes.
circles, one inside another, around the calyx (stem end) Russetted fruit are not marketable because appearance
of the fruit. Depending on severity, fruit may or may not is below standard, and even more important, the shelf
be marketable. This cracking is also caused by a water life of russetted tomatoes is greatly diminished. This is
problem. Be sure that fertilizer supply is adequate (check because water escapes via the minute cracks, causing loss
your EC). These cracks are caused by too much water of weight, shriveling, and breakdown. When fruit lose
following too little water; very fast growth with high 5 percent of their weight (due to water loss), they soon
temperature and moisture; or a large difference between become soft, and their shelf life is reduced. Do not ship
day and night temperatures. tomatoes with this condition.
Research conducted at an agricultural research
Splitting station in Naaldwijk, Holland, has identified two sets of
Splitting is not the same as cracking (see above). conditions that promote russetting (called “crazing” in
When fruit are exposed to very high temperatures, such some publications).
as those found in many greenhouses in May and June in
Mississippi, the fruit have a tendency to split the skin, a
result of temperature stress. Solutions include these:
• Lower the air temperature by using shading or
evaporative cooling (see section on Greenhouse
Cooling).

23
 Condition 1. As the crop approaches the end of its Zipper Scar (also called “Anther Scar”)
productive season, plants are often topped (terminal cut This is a vertical scar along the side of the fruit that
off) to remove any new flowers and fruit that will not resembles a zipper, or perhaps the type of scar left by
have time to mature. This often promotes a growth of stitches. It is caused by the anther sticking to the edge of
side shoots and results in russetting. The reasoning is that the ovary (immature fruit). As the fruit increases in size,
regrowth of the side shoots stimulates activity with the the anther tears away from the fruit, leaving a scar. This
roots, forcing more water and nutrients into the limited is a genetic problem and probably not caused by any
number of fruit remaining. Plants that were topped but environmental conditions.
had all side shoots removed had much less russetting.
Plants that were not topped at all had the least russetting. Blotchy Ripening (also called “Gray Wall”)
Apparently, allowing small fruit to develop at the tops This problem appears as flattened, blotchy, brownish-
of plants provides a more balanced growth and better gray areas on green fruit. As the fruit turns red, these areas
distribution of nutrients and water. Regular, uninterrupted may remain gray or turn yellow, causing uneven ripening.
growth is important in limiting this problem. If you Dark brown vascular tissue can be seen in fruit walls when
have had a problem with russetting, do not top plants as fruit is cut. Identifying the specific cause for this defect is
they approach the end of the season. If you have already probably more difficult than for any other defect. It can be
topped, remove new side shoots. caused by low temperature, temperature fluctuations, high
humidity, low light intensity, high moisture, high nitrogen,
Condition 2. Low greenhouse air temperature, low potassium, compaction of the growing medium, etc.
especially in combination with high day temperature, has High temperatures (above 86 °F) prevent formation of
been shown to cause russetting. The difference between lycopene, the pigment that gives tomatoes red color. Also,
air and fruit temperatures may be the real culprit. In certain fungi, bacteria, or tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) may
research at the same station, a temperature of 62 °F caused be involved. Since some varieties are more susceptible than
46 percent of a crop to be russetted, while three warmer others, it is advisable to switch varieties if blotchy ripening
temperatures averaged considerably less russetted fruit. is a serious problem.
If russetting has been a problem, raise the minimum
temperature to 64 °F or above. Green Shoulder
This appears as a dark-green area at the top (calyx
Here are some ways to reduce the likelihood of end) of ripening fruit, which never turns red. Often, the
problems with russetting: area may turn yellow as the remainder of the fruit ripens.
• Avoid sudden changes in growing conditions, The disorder is genetic, but is brought out especially in
including climate and electrical conductivity (EC) conditions of high light and temperature. Recommended
of the nutrient solution. procedures include increasing ventilation during warm
• Keep the EC high enough for continuous growth. periods, being sure that plants are not defoliated above
• Be sure the potassium level is high enough. developing clusters, using some type of shading system
• Avoid situations that cause condensation on fruit. (see section on Greenhouse Cooling), and adequate
This includes poorly ventilated greenhouses and phosphorus and potassium fertility. Also, some varieties
refrigeration of harvested fruit. are immune (non-greenback) or partially immune (semi-
• There are some varietal differences in susceptibility. greenback) to this defect (see section on Varieties).
Capello is more prone to this problem than Trend,
which in turn is more prone than Caruso.

24
Blossom-End Rot (BER) Puffiness is a product of poor pollination caused by
Although referred to as a rot, this problem is not any of the following environmental problems that affect
caused by an organism. It appears as a light tan, brown, good pollination:
or black sunken area at or near the base (blossom end) of • high temperature, especially above 90 °F
the fruit. It is not soft, but is firm and somewhat leathery • low temperature, especially below 55 °F
and may be accompanied by a dry rot. Sometimes it • wide differences between day and night temperature
appears only inside the fruit as a blackened area, with • drought
no symptoms on the outside. Occasionally, a secondary • excessive water
organism invades the tissue causing a soft rot. Remove and • excessive nitrogen
discard any immature fruit that show symptoms; once a • use of fruit hormones, or
fruit has blossom-end rot, it will not go away. • lack of adequate carbon dioxide (CO2)
BER is caused by insufficient calcium in the fruit. Even
though adequate calcium may be applied in the nutrient If puffiness is a problem, try to change any of the above
solution, it may not be reaching the fruit because of conditions that may apply, especially too high a nitrogen
insufficient water. If plants wilt, it is difficult for nutrients level. Also, be sure that you use an electric pollinator every
to reach the fruit. Although BER is a calcium problem, other day and that pollination is done at the proper time of
it can result from water stress. Rapidly growing plants day, or use bumblebees (see section on Pollination). Increase
suddenly exposed to drought are especially susceptible. air movement within the greenhouse to cool the air and
Any stress condition interferes with the uptake of calcium, to bring CO2 closer to the leaf surfaces where it is needed.
and may cause BER. Some stressors are excessive salinity There are no varieties resistant to this problem.
of the growing medium, high nitrogen, rapid plant growth,
high temperature, high humidity, and root damage. Sunscald
To prevent BER, maintain steady plant growth, and This appears as a whitish or yellowish patch on the
avoid wide fluctuations in water and temperature. The side of the fruit facing the sun. This area may shrink and
calcium level in the nutrient solution should be at least 125 form a large white spot with a papery surface, or a white,
ppm. Once BER occurs, it can be prevented in nonaffected blistered area on a green fruit. This is a “sun burn” caused
fruit with a foliar spray of calcium chloride (36 percent by sudden exposure of a formerly shaded fruit to direct
calcium) at the rate of 14 to 64 ounces per 100 gallons (or 4 sunlight, especially during hot, dry weather. The area
tablespoons/gallon) of water. Or, use calcium nitrate (20 may be secondarily invaded by a fungus, although this is
percent calcium) at the rate of 17.5 pounds per 100 gallons not the real problem. Uncovering fruit by shifting foliage
(or 9 tablespoons/gallon) of water. For a small-scaled during harvest is the most likely cause, although death of
operation, a commercial product called “Stop Rot” is leaves (which had shaded fruit) due to disease can lead to
available. Use 1 pint per 7 1/2 gallons, and spray twice per sunscald as well.
week until the problem is corrected.
Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer, especially the
ammonium forms. Ammonium increases the demand for
calcium, limiting the amount available. Some varieties may
be more resistant to BER than others.

Puffiness
Fruit that are “puffy” have an angular appearance, with
one or more sides flatter than the rest. They also weigh less,
and the locules are not well filled; i.e., there is not much gel
and seed inside. Some of the locules may be empty.

25
Appendix I. Additional Information
Note: All of the MSU-ES publications listed below are available on the Greenhouse Tomato FAQ website (see below).

Killebrew, Frank, Pat Harris, and Herbert Willcutt. Hood, Ken, Richard G. Snyder, and Charles Walden,
1999. Greenhouse Tomatoes – Pest Management in 2000. A Budget for Greenhouse Tomatoes,
Mississippi. Mississippi State University Extension Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Service. Publication 1861. Publication 2257.

Snyder, Richard G., and Jim Thomas. 1996. Fertigation Greenhouse Tomato FAQ (Frequently Asked
– The Basics of Injecting Fertilizer for Field-Grown Questions) On the web at http://extension.msstate.
Tomatoes. Mississippi State University Extension edu/crops/commercial-horticulture/greenhouse-
Service. Publication 2037. tomatoes.

Snyder, Richard G. 1995. Starting Vegetable Listing of Greenhouse Vegetable Production Resources
Transplants. Mississippi State University Extension on the web at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/
Service. Publication 1995. hort/greenhouse_veg/webresources.html.

Snyder, Richard G. 1993. Injector Planner – A Spreadsheet Listing of Greenhouse Vegetable Production Resources
Approach to Fertilization Management for Greenhouse Print at https://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/
Tomatoes. Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry growingsmallfarms-grhouselinks/.
Experiment Station. Research Bulletin 1003.
Greenhouse Tomato Short Course – In March of each
Snyder, Richard G. 1993. Environmental Control for year, the Greenhouse Tomato Short Course is held
Greenhouse Tomatoes. Mississippi State University in Jackson, Mississippi. This is a two-day intensive
Extension Service. Publication 1879. training for growers and potential growers of
greenhouse tomatoes and other vegetables. Attend
Proceedings of the Joint Conference of the 26th this program if you are seriously considering going
National Agricultural Plastics Congress and into the greenhouse vegetable business. Expert
the American Greenhouse Vegetable Growers speakers are brought in from all over the United
Association Conference, Atlantic City, NJ, June14- States and other countries to address their topics of
18, 1996. (source: Pat Heuser, Executive Secretary, expertise. To have your name added to the mailing
American Society for Plasticulture, 526 Brittany list, call (601) 892-3731 or send an email message
Drive, State College, PA 16803). to RickS@ext.msstate.edu. For more information
concerning the short course, visit http://www.
Proceedings for the Greenhouse Tomato Seminar, msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/GHSC.htm.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, August 3-4, 1995. Dr.
Richard G. Snyder, Coordinator. (source: American
Society for Horticultural Science Press, 600
Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-2562).

26
Appendix II. Commercial Greenhouse Manufacturers (G) and Suppliers (S)

AgBio Development, Inc. Albert J. Lauer, Inc. Barnes Brothers Nursery & Garden
9915 Raleigh Street 16700 Highway 3 Center
Westminster, CO 80030 Chippendale Ave. West 3359 Medgar Evers Blvd.
303-469-9221 Rosemont, MN 55068 P.O. Box 12947
http://www.agrobiologicals.com 612-423-1651 Jackson, MS 39236-2947
(Mycostop biofungicide) (greenhouses) 601-362-2448
(plastic nursery buckets)
A&L Southern Agricultural Labs American Plant Products & Services, BASF Corporation
1301 W. Copans Road, Bldg. D#8 Inc. (G, S) 102 Rowley Court
Pompano Beach, FL 33064 9200 NW 10th Street, Apex, NC 27502-5932
305-972-3255 Oklahoma City, OK 73127 813-960-2644
http://www.al-labs.com 1-800-522-3376 http://www.basf.com
http://www.americanplant.com
Agra Tech, Inc. (G) BFG, Inc. (G, S)
2131 Piedmont Way Anderson Injectors 14500 Kinsman Road
Pittsburg, CA 94565 2100 Anderson Drive Burton, OH 44021
925-432-3399 P.O. Box 1006 216-834-1883
http://www.agra-tech.com Muskogee, OK 74401 1-800-883-0234
(greenhouses) 918-687-4426 http://www.bfgsupply.com
http://www.heanderson.com
Agrisales, Inc. (fertilizer injectors) BIO-COMP
P.O.Box 2060 2116-B Bio-Comp Drive
Plant City, FL 33564-2060 Atlas Greenhouse Systems, Inc. Edenton, NC 27932
813-754-8885 Hwy. 82 East 919-482-8528
http://www.agrisales.com P.O. Box 558
Alapaha, GA 31622 Bobby’s Eastside Market
Agro Dynamics 1-800-346-9902 Route 1, Box 113
4300 L. B. McLeod Road, Suite C http://www.atlasgreenhouse.com Philadelphia, MS 39350
Orlando, FL 32811 (greenhouses)
407-872-2250 Buckman Laboratories, Inc.
http://www.agrodynamics.com 1256 N. McLean Blvd.
(rockwool) Memphis, TN 38108
901-274-8316
http://www.buckman.com

27
The Buffalo Co., Inc. Century Tube Corp. CO-EX Corporation
503 E. Lakeshore Drive P.O. Box 7612 5 Alexander Drive
Ocoee, FL 34761 Pine Bluff, AR 71611 Wallingford, CT 06492
407-656-3118 1-800-643-1523 1-800-888-5364
www.century-tube.com http://www.co-excorp.com
BWI, Inc. (G, S) (greenhouses) (greenhouses)
6013 McRaven Road
P.O. Box 20407 Chapin Watermatics, Inc. Coor Farm Supply
Jackson, MS 39209 2192 Meadow Lark Road 3 Malta Street
1-800-395-2580 Spring Hill, FL 34608 P.O. Box 525
http://www.bwicompanies.com 904-686-5007 Smithfield, NC 27577
Carolina Greenhouses (G) http://www.chapindrip.com 1-800-999-4573
P.O. Box 1140 (irrigation) http://www.scnla.com/coor_farm.htm
Kinston, NC 28503 Chilean Nitrate Corporation
919-523-9300 9212 County Line Road CropKing, Inc. (G, S)
http://www.carolinagreenhouses.com Lithia, FL 33547 5050 Greenwich Road
(greenhouses) 941-425-9538 Seville, OH 44273-9413
http://www.cncusa.com 330-769-2002
CASSCO (G, S) (fertilizer) http://www.cropking.com
U.S. Highway 231, North (greenhouses)
P.O. Box 3508 Compu-Heat
Montgomery, AL 36193 7589 Race Road Daniel Label Printing, Inc.
1-800-933-5888 North Ridgeville, OH 44039 3021 Lincoln Avenue
1-800-776-6829 North Little Rock, AR 72114
Cathedral Greenhouses (waste oil burners/heaters) 501-945-1349
252 West Leavell Woods Drive http://www.dlpforlabels.com
Jackson, MS 39212 Conley Manufacturing & Sales (G) (labels)
601-372-1904 4344 E. Mission Boulevard
(hobby greenhouses) Montclair, CA 91763 Dave Butler Rice Hull Compost, Inc.
1-800-377-8441 6021 SR 221
Caves Enterprises, Inc. (G) http://www.conleys.com Georgetown, OH 45121-9401
40529 Pumpkin Center Road (greenhouses) 1-800-622-4936
Hammond, LA 70403 (rice hulls)
1-800-535-0800 Continental Products Company
(greenhouses) 1150 East 222 Street
Euclid, OH 44117
216-531-0710
http://www.continentalprod.com
(shade compound)

28
De Ruiter Seeds, Inc. GB Systems, Inc. Grainger’s (S)
3001 Bethel Road, Suite 207 P.O. Box 19497 3551 I-55 South, West Frontage Road
P.O. Box 20228 Boulder, CO 80308 Jackson, MS 39201-4963
Columbus, OH 43220 303-473-9144 (CO office) 601-352-0891
614-459-1498 216-353-9437 (OH office) http://www.grainger.com
http://www.deruiterusa.com (biologicals, bumblebees) (motors)
(seeds for greenhouse vegetables)
General Supply Corporation (S) Grayson Research
Dosatron International, Inc. 303 Commerce Park Drive 1040 Grayson Farm Road
2090 Sunnydale Boulevard P.O. Box 9347 Creedmore, NC 27522
Holcomb, KS 67851 Jackson, MS 39286-9347 919-528-4925
813-443-5404 1-800-647-6540
http://www.dosatron.com http://www.generalsupplycorp.com Green Thumb Group, Inc.
(fertilizer injectors) 3380 Vengard, Suite Two
George Dodd’s Nursery Supply Downers Grove, IL 60515
Eakes Nursery Materials, Inc. 9100 Church Street (greenhouse screening)
249 Bethel Church Road P.O. Box 86 Gromax Plasticulture, Inc.
Sanford, MS 39479 Semmes, AL 36575 2250 Gulf Gate Drive, Suite A
601-722-4797 1-800-821-0243 Sarasota, FL 34231-4838
(ground pine bark) (ground pine bark) 904-432-0962
http://www.gromax-int.com/
Energy Management Systems Glasteel Tennessee homeframe.htm
12560 West River Road 830 Highway 57 (vertical towers)
Clearwater, FL 34625-1201 Collierville, TN 38017-5202
1-800-999-3781 1-800-238-5546 Grower’s Supply Center (S)
http://www.glasteel.com 3000 South Highway 77, Unit 214
Florida Seed Co., Inc. Lynn Haven, FL 32444
4950 Frontage Road South Gothic Arch Greenhouses 850-785-8974
Lakeland, FL 33801-3193 P.O. Box 1564
1-800-342-7333 Mobile, AL 36633 Guelph Twines LTD.
(seeds) 1-800-531-4769 50 Crimea Street
1-334-432-7529 P.O. Box 125
Forestry Suppliers, Inc. (S) http://www.gothicarchgreenhouses. Guelph, Ontario, N1H 6J6
205 W. Rankin Street com 519-821-9140
P.O. Box 8397 (hobby greenhouses) (plastic twine)
Jackson, MS 39284-8397
1-800-682-5397
http://www.forestry-suppliers.com
(instruments, wide range of supplies)

29
Hardy Mfg. Co., Inc. Janco Greenhouses Keeler-Glasgow Co., Inc.
Route 4, Box 156 9390 Davis Ave. P.O. Box 158
Philadelphia, MS 39350 Laurel, MD 20723 Hartford, MI 49407
1-800-431-3239 1-800-323-6933 1-800-526-7327
(wood heaters, waste oil burners) http://www.jancoinc.com http://www.keeler-glasgow.com
(greenhouses) (greenhouses)
Hummert International (S)
4500 Earth City Expressway J. A. Nearing Co., Inc. Klink Bros., Inc. (G)
Earth City, MO 63045 9390 David Avenue 4369 Circle Avenue
1-800-325-3055 Laurel, MD 20810 Castro Valley, CA 94546
http://www.hummert.com 301-498-5700 415-581-7905

Hydrogardens, Inc. (G, S) J-F Equipment Co. Koppert USA

P.O.Box 25845 1230 Crowley Drive P.O. Box 19497
Colorado Springs, CO 80936 Carrollton, TX 75006-1315 Boulder, CO 80308-2497
1-800-634-6362 1-800-344-6767 216-353-9437
http://www.hydro-gardens.com (Dosmatic injectors) http://www.koppert.com
(general supplies, seeds, fertilizers) (biological control, bumblebees)
J. M. McConkey & Co. (G, S) L & L Greenhouses (G)
Imperial Builders & Supply Inc. 12321 Western Avenue P.O. Box 90
P.O.Box 670 Garden Grove, CA 92641 Poyen, AR 72128
Apopka, FL 32704-0670 714-894-0581 1-800-843-9686
1-800-442-4147 http://www.mcconkeyco.com
407-889-4147 Ludy Greenhouse Manufacturing
http://www.imperialbuilders.com Corp. (G)
(greenhouses) J&M Industries, Inc. (S) P.O. Box 141
300 Ponchatoula Parkway New Madison, OH 45346
IPM Laboratories Ponchatoula, LA 70454 1-800-255-LUDY
Main Street 504-386-6000 http://www.ludy.com
Locke, NY 13092 http://www.jmindustries.com (greenhouses)
315-497-3129 (produce packaging supplies) Micro-Macro International, Inc.
http://www.ipmlabs.com 183 Paradise Blvd. Suite 108
Irrigation Mart, Inc. Jaderloon Co., Inc. (G, S) Athens, GA 30607
3303 McDonald Avenue P.O. Box 685 706-548-4557
Ruston, LA 71270-7412 Irmo, SC 29063 (laboratory analysis)
1-800-729-7246 803-798-4000
http://www.irrigation-mart.com 1-800-258-7171
(irrigation) http://www.jaderloon.com
(greenhouses)

30
Mid-South E, Inc. Peter Lederer Poly Growers Greenhouse Co.
2015 Jackson Street P.O. Box 271 P.O. Box 359
Monroe, LA 71202 Big Flats, NY 14814 Muncy, PA 17756
318-322-7239 607-562-8267 (greenhouses)
http://www.midsouthextrusion.com
Peters Fertilizer Products Poly-Tex, Inc. (G)
Mycogen Corporation The Scotts Company P.O. Box 458
5701 SE 22nd Place 14111 Scotts Lawn Road Castle Rock, MN 55010
Ocala, FL 34471 Marysville, OH 43041 1-800-852-3443
904-624-1224 1-800-492-8255 http://www.poly-tex.com
http://www.mycogen.com/Index_ http://www.scottsco.com/ (greenhouses and accessories)
NoCookie.asp (greenhouse tomato fertilizers) Pro-Gro Products
(biologicals) 841 Pro-Gro Drive
Phillips Brothers Pine Bark Processing Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Neogen Corporation County Farm Road 1-800-334-3311
620 Lesher Place Brookhaven, MS 39601
Lansing, MI 48912 601-833-7858 Radiant Equipment Co.
1-800-234-5333 (pine bark - in bags or bulk) P.O. Box 949
http://www.neogen.com San Andreas, CA 95249
(disease test kits) Plant Products Co., Ltd. 209-754-1801
6100 Maryhurst Drive
Nexus Greenhouse Corporation (G) Dublin, Ohio 43017 Roberts Irrigation Products, Inc.
10983 Leroy Drive 614-717-0330 700 Rancheros Drive
Northglenn, CO 80233 (rockwool, fertilizers, beneficials) San Marcos, CA 92069-3007
1-800-228-9639 619-744-4511
http://www.nexuscorp.com Plantel Nurseries, Inc. http://www.robertsirrigation.com
(greenhouses) P.O. Box 66553 (irrigation)
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Paramount Seeds, Inc. 310-390-4711 Rough Brothers (G)
P.O. Box 1866 http://www.plantelnurseries.com 5513 Vine Street
Palm City, FL 34991 (seedling trays) Cincinnati, OH 45217
772-221-0653 1-800-543-7351
http://paramount-seeds.com Poly Drip Irrigation Supply http://www.roughbros.com
(seeds) 13799 Airline Highway (greenhouses)
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
Penick’s Forest Products 1-800-676-0979 Rounhouse Mfg. Co. (G)
P.O. Box 479 http://www.polydrip.com P.O. Box 1744
Macon, MS 39341 (irrigation) Cleveland, TX 77327
601-726-5340 713-593-1118
(bark, topsoil, pine posts/poles) (shade cloth, ground covers, etc.)

31
S & M Farm Supply, Inc. (S) Southern Time and Alarm Sunderman Mfg Co.
13690 SW 248th Street 1057 South Jackson Drive 47143 250th Street
Homestead, FL 33032 Terry, MS 39170 Baltic, SD 57003-5200
1-800-432-3411 601-878-5066 1-800-843-3312
352-620-5581 http://www.fugitt.com/index2.htm http://www.sundermanmfg.com
(alarms, computer controls) (heating systems)
San Joaquin Sulfur Co.
P.O. Box 700 Spectrum Technologies, Inc. (S) Taylor Manufacturing, Inc.
Lodi, CA 95241 12010 South Aero Drive P.O. Box 518
209-368-6676 Plainfield, IL 60544 Elizabethtown, NC 28337
(sulfur) 1-800-436-4440 1-800-545-2293
http://www.specmeters.com http://www.taylormfg.com
Soil Mender Products (EC, pH meters, instrumentation) (wood heaters)
3071 HWY 86 Terra International
Tulia, TX 79088 Steuber Distributing Co. P.O. Box 157
806-627-4276 P.O. Box 100 Flora, MS 39071
www.soilmender.com Snohomish, WA 98290 601-879-3802
(compost) 1-800-426-8815 http://www.terraindustries.com
Solar Components Corporation (G) http://www.steuberdistributing.com (fertilizers, chemicals)
121 Valley Street (greenhouses)
Manchester, NH 03103 Texas Greenhouse Company (G)
603-668-8186 Structures, Unlimited (G) 2524 White Settlement Road
http://www.solar-components.com/ 2122 Whitfield Park Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76107
default.htm Sarasota, FL 34243-4048 817-335-5447
813-756-8129 1-800-227-5447
Solar Prism Greenhouses (G) 1-800-541-8129 http://www.texasgreenhouse.com
P.O. Box 40-PC4 http://www.structuresunlimitedinc. (greenhouses and accessories)
Amity, OR 97101 com
1-800-711-7336 (greenhouses) TotalGro
http://www.countryfamily.com P.O. Box 805
(hobby greenhouses) Stuppy Greenhouse Manufacturing, Winnsboro, LA 71295
Inc. (G, S) 318-435-7587
Southern Agricultural Insecticides 1212 Clay Street 1-800-433-3055
P.O. Box 429 P.O. Box 12456 http://www.grannyshouse.com/page.
Hendersonville, NC 28793 North Kansas City, MO 64116 cfm/1035
704-229-2233 1-800-733-5025 (fertilizers)
http://www.southernag.com http://www.stuppy.com
(greenhouses)

32
Tubular Structures (G) Wager Company of Florida, Inc. Zarn, Inc. (S)
129 Radcliff Drive P.O. Box 520296 P.O. Box 1350
Lucedale, MS 39452 Longwood, FL 32752-0296 Reidsville, NC 27320
601-947-9558 407-834-4667 1-800-367-7687
http://www.wagerco.com (plastic containers)
United Greenhouse Systems (irrigation and parts)
708 Washington Street
Edgerton, WI 53534 The Warehouse
1-800-433-6834 601 Chestnut Street
http://www.unitedgreenhouse.com P.O. Box 699
(greenhouses) Summit, MS 39666
601-276-7318
United Irrigation Supply, Inc. (irrigation)
Highway 84 West
P.O. Box 854 Westmark Co. (G, S)
Quitman, GA 31643 3529 Touriga Drive
912-263-9393 Pleasanton, CA 94566
(irrigation) 415-846-8505
United States Plastic Corp.
1390 Neubrecht Road Winandy Greenhouse Co., Inc.
Lima, OH 45801-3196 2211 Peacock Road
1-800-821-0349 Richmond, IN 47374
http://www.usplastic.com 765-935-2111
(polyethylene tanks) (greenhouses)

Van Wingerden Greenhouse Co. (G) X. S. Smith, Inc. (G)

4078 Haywood Road Drawer X
Horseshoe, NC 28742 Red Bank, NJ 07701
704-891-7389 1-800-631-2226
http://www.van-wingerden.com http://www.xssmith.com
(greenhouses)
Z-Top Greenhouse Co., Inc. (G)
Vicksburg Chemical Company 64575 Gisclard Road
5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2408 Plaquemine, LA 70764
Memphis, TN 38137 504-687-2161
http://www.kpower.com (self-ventilating greenhouses)
(fertilizers)

33
Appendix III. Associations and Short Courses
American Society for Plasticulture Mississippi State University Extension Service
Pat Heuser, Executive Secretary Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station
526 Brittany Drive P.O. Box 231
State College, PA 16803 Crystal Springs, MS 39059
814-238-7045 601-892-3731
Fax: 814-238-7051 Annual Greenhouse Tomato Short Course (March)
Annual Meetings http://www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/GHSC.htm
Proceedings Vegetable Press Newsletter
Newsletter
North Carolina Greenhouse Vegetable Growers
Hydroponic Society of America Association
P.O. Box 1183 C/o Dr. Mary Peet
El Cerrito, CA 94530 Room 220, Box 7609
510-232-2323 Kilgore Hall
Fax: 510-232-2384 North Carolina State University
http://hsa.hydroponics.org/ Raleigh, NC 27695-7609
Annual Meetings Annual Short Course
Proceedings http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/greenhouse_veg/
Newsletter ncgvga.html
Book Supply Service
Ohio State University Extension Service
Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Agricultural Business Enhancement Center
Dr. John Braswell, Secretary 440 E. Poe Rd., Suite 201
South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station Bowling Green, OH 43402-1351
Box 193 419-354-6916
Poplarville, MS 39470 Fax: 419-354-6416
Annual Tri-State Fruit and Vegetable Conference Annual Greenhouse Food Production Short Course
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/mfvga.htm (February)
Proceedings
Ohio Hydroponic Vegetable Program
Hydroponic Study Group
Greenhouse Tours

34
Rutgers University Southern Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association
Dr. A. J. Both, Assistant Extension Specialist Terri Buckler, Secretary
The State University Of New Jersey P.O. Box 654
Bioresource Engineering Winnsboro, TX 75494
Department of Plant Science 903-365-2457
20 Ag Extension Way http://www.sgvga.org
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8500 Annual Meetings in Texas (Third weekend in July)
732-932-9534 Proceedings
Fax: 732-932-7931 Members receive Vegetable Press Newletter
Annual Short Course – “Design of Greenhouse Systems”
(January)
http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~horteng

The mailing address for the author is Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station, P.O. Box 231, Crystal Springs,
MS 39059; telephone (601) 892-3731, fax (601) 892-2056; email rgs5@msstate.edu.

35
Publication 1828 (POD-06-19)

By Richard G. Snyder, PhD, Extension/Research Professor, Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center.

The author gratefully acknowledges the faculty and staff at the Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station and expresses appreciation for their hard work
in assisting with the greenhouse research in Crystal Springs. This research is the basis for much of the information in this publication.

Copyright 2019 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed without
alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Produced by Agricultural Communications.
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination in university employment,
programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age,
sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law
is prohibited. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of
Compliance and Integrity, 56 Morgan Avenue, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in
furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. GARY B. JACKSON, Director