25
Oct 2022

Setting an Issue

Setting an Issue
Frequent problem that is back like clockwork

Time is precious and growers are extremely busy, so here are some very brief bits of information to refresh you.

Bumble Bees:

Every spring, without fail, growers report issues with flowers setting. I always had this issue with my (tomato) crops as I lived next door to a nashi pear orchard. My bees would desert me at blossom time for greener (tastier) flowers.

It may not be just down to bees escaping outside – it is too easy to blame bee pressure – although this will certainly help. Flowering speed is rapidly increasing therefore you will require to cumulatively increasing bumble bee pressure.

Fertiliser:

A particularly important message is to conduct water analysis as your plants may be lacking in potassium. A water analysis is especially important as the weather has totally changed from a month ago – the speed at which the light intensifies in NZ is quite astonishing.

Plant Stress:

With the rapid growth rates, fruit numbers will also be lifting – adjusting to the intense weather with this increased fruit load will put plants under stress (like yesterday 23/10). Plants under stress may abort at the flower setting stage – this is common in certain varieties – so even if you do everything correct you may still end up with some abortion. Diffused coatings on glasshouse rooves should now be considered as the light intensifies and especially on varieties that are sensitive.

Tap your wires:

I never thought I would say this (in NZ) but if all else fails try tapping your crop wires. Hand pollinating is not something I would ever do but after seeing one of my growers achieve an acceptable set last year it may be a short-term solution. I would stick with the bumble bees long term.

 

For growing advice contact stefan@grower2grower.co.nz

 

Article written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic

All Article’s checked and edited by Marie Vogrincic

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

 

Subscribe to our E-Zine

Sign up here to subscribe to the Grower2grower Ezine. Every two weeks you will receive new articles, specific to the protected cropping industry, informing you of industry news and events straight to your inbox.

More

From This Category

Botrytis Alert: Key Strategies to Minimize Losses
July 1, 2025
Botrytis Alert: Key Strategies to Minimize Losses
Following Blight, Botrytis now becomes the main threat — act early to avoid compounding issues. Energy costs are currently a major burden for greenhouse growers. As a result, many are forced to make difficult decisions about how much energy to invest in climate control........
Signify introduces 4-channel Philips GreenPower LED toplighting force for dynamic crop steering and improved business results
June 30, 2025
Signify introduces 4-channel Philips GreenPower LED toplighting force for dynamic crop steering and improved business results
Toplighting force (TLF) range expanded to further unlock lighting intelligence potential in greenhouses
Towards 100% Green: How EVA is transforming sustainable agriculture
June 30, 2025
Towards 100% Green: How EVA is transforming sustainable agriculture
'EVA uses vision-based AI to detect over 15 pests and diseases with 10 cm precision'
Signify launches Philips GrowWise smart spectrum to automatically optimize LED lighting for energy use reduction or boost crop growth up to 6%
June 17, 2025
Signify launches Philips GrowWise smart spectrum to automatically optimize LED lighting for energy use reduction or boost crop growth up to 6%
“Philips GrowWise smart spectrum has been fed with the data from 18 years of in-depth research and leadership in light-plant interaction,”
Blight Hits South Auckland – One Grower Severely Affected
June 2, 2025
Blight Hits South Auckland – One Grower Severely Affected
Blight Doesn’t Wait — Neither Should You
Climate crisis threatens the banana, the world’s most popular fruit, research shows
May 20, 2025
Climate crisis threatens the banana, the world’s most popular fruit, research shows
Banana Self-Sufficiency: A Growing Opportunity for New Zealand
CLASSIFIED