submitted by Mohyuddin Mirza

With the cold weather we have been having, a few issues are emerging which need attention. With outside temperatures below 30C and wind over 20 miles/hour several issues can emerge in the greenhouse:

• The obvious one is cooler temperature inside the greenhouse and cold spots along the perimeter. Twenty four (24) hours average temperature may drop below the set point and that will cause vegetative crops. A purple color on leaves, thickening of stems and yellowish green color is an indication of temperature dropping to about 12C. Look at the picture:

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submitted by Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza

In late May and early June I was called by a Basil grower to come to the greenhouse and check leaf scorching on potted and leaf Basil. What I mean to say is that we grow two types of Basil. Potted basil, in 4, 6 and 10 inches pots for direct sales and basil leaves and stems for sale through farmers markets and commercial wholesale channels. Here it is how the symptoms looked like:

Late blight, a highly destructive plant disease, has been reported in areas of southern and central Alberta in a number of commercial potato fields, market gardens and many urban residential plantings of potatoes and tomatoes. It is being contained in commercial potato fields with fungicidal sprays. However, with late identification and limited control options for home gardeners, the disease has been largely unchecked in residential locations. There is the potential for continued spread of the disease, due to air-borne spores that are being produced on infected plants. There is a risk of introduction into greenhouse tomato operations.

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