Growing Roses Gracefully with CO2 and Calcium

The technicians who installed the three large boilers in our three glasshouses alerted us to a tangible cost savings that we weren’t aware of. The boilers use natural gas to heat the water. When they are being used to full capacity in the winter in order to heat the greenhouses, as well as provide hot water in pipes to heat the nutrient solution in our ebb and flow hydroponic rose growing operation, one of the by-products is the manufacture of CO2.

Pedro said that he was aware of that but didn’t know of any technology that was able to capture and measure this CO2 so it could be supplied to the greenhouses in the required quantities. In Spain they just vent their boilers to the outside and let the CO2 escape into the air. What a waste!

The technicians directed us to a firm that currentlymakes the required technology and it is affordable. Actually, when you do the math, it’s much less expensive than buying bottled CO2 and releasing it in the greenhouses.

Given that Ontario has long winters and that the boilers will be operating perhaps eight months out of the year, I was thrilled when Pedro used his calculator to figure out how much money we would save over bottled CO2.

Granted, we would still need to use the bottled stuff in the summer when the boilers are only used to heat a limited supply of hot water and not for central heating. But being able to capture, control, and measure the CO2 is something that we didn’t know about.

Rose varieties grown for the cut flower market are markedly different from the roses grown to help beautify your backyard. The factors that influenced our choices as to which varieties to grow are abundance of flowers, stem length, bud shape and size, vase life, disease resistance, color, and fragrance.

In addition to Alec’s Red in Glasshouse B, Pedro suggested growing Kardinal, a medium-sized classic shaped red rose with a velvety texture. “Are you sure?” I asked, since my research indicated that this rose was the rage perhaps ten years ago, but since then has been superseded by six or seven other varieties.

Pedro stuck to his guns, since he said that people never get tired of a classic. Besides, it is long lasting in a vase and perfect for Valentine’s Day! So now we’re growing half Alec’ Red and half Kardinal in Glasshouse B, which is our Red Rose glasshouse.

Glasshouse A, nicknamed Blue Rose, is growing Blue Girl and Julia’s Rose, which are both long stemmed and classic in shape, while glasshouse C, Multi Rose, has the vibrant, exciting Granada and Ambience. The latter is highly recommended for glasshouse growing by the University of California at Davis.

Kardinal, by the way, is a Hybrid Tea Rose that is rumored “never to get Black Spot, is highly resistant to Mildew, and lasts a very long time in the vase,” according to a rose expert, whose opinion I respect. Pedro says that Kardinal was developed by a German company that specializes in disease-resistant hybrids.

Of course, Pedro and I made sure that all our new arrivals were duly sprayed with Scorpion Juice, in order to impart an induced systemic resistance against major pathogens and pests, anyway. No use taking chances where invasive threats to our roses’ health are concerned.

Barricade is a weekly ingredient in our nutrient mix, which at present is headlined by Iguana Juice Grow, blended with Organic B, the three Grandma Enggy’s supplements (Humic and Fulvic Acid and Seaweed Extract), as well as Piranha, Tarantula, and Voodoo Juice in order to strengthen the roots of our roses.

Barricade strengthens the cell walls of the rose molecules and thus helps ward off the main threats to rose production today, i.e. Powdery Mildrew, Two-spotted Spider Mites, and Western Flower Thrips. The Rose Mosaic Virus, which used to be a major threat, has largely been handled by the nurseries, which sell only RMV-free certified stock.

University of California researchers have recently discovered a group of ladybug beetles that feed on the fungus that causes Powdery Mildew. We’re in communication with this university, to see when these ladybugs might be commercially available.

The predator mite, Persimillis, is already available as an effective bio control of Spider Mites. Many strawberry growers in California use it in their Integrated Pest Management program.

Blue sticky tape throughout the greenhouse attracts and traps Western Flower Thrips. Most insects are attracted to the colour yellow, but it seems that thrips are different.

Common sense sanitary procedures go a long way toward preventing fungal, bacterial, viral, and insect infestations in our valuable crop.

We have the highest standards where cleanliness of ourselves and our staff is concerned. Outdoor clothing, which might have microorganisms or insect spores or larvae attached, is left outside and people’s hair must be washed frequently and covered with nets, if too long.

We have installed fine mesh screens on all vent openings and the area surrounding the greenhouses has been thoroughly weeded before we started the operation. A weed or an unwanted bush next to the door of your greenhouse could house a colony of unwanted insects, such as Mites or White Flies.

Calcium is essential for healthy flowers, especially roses, so we add Sensi Cal Mg Mix Grow to our nutrient solution. Almost 7% of this very effective Advanced Nutrients product is made up of Calcium, in five different forms.

The easily absorbable and pharmaceutical grade Amino Chelated Calcium is at the top of the list, but Calcium Acetate, Calcium Chelate, Calcium EDTA, and Calcium Proteinate make sure that this essential mineral is available for the benefit of our roses, along with a whole list of micronutrients in synergistic balance.

Calcium is essential for the absorption of Phosphorus and Potassium by our roses. Magnesium, the other major ingredient in Sensi Cal, is essential for the absorption of Calcium. It’s amazing how interconnected things are in the plant world!

Even though Calcium is listed as a secondary macronutrient (after Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium), it is vital for plant growth and the formation of crisp, distinct buds and blooms on our roses.