The growers at T & E van Ruijven are growing orange peppers on a total of 9.5 hectares. That's about ten percent of the total Dutch acreage of orange peppers.
For the fifth consecutive year, grower Eugene Ruijven will be using the QR block of Cultilene, previously known as the HR block. The QR, the abbreviation for Quick Retention, is in comparison to other blocks more generative and has a somewhat drier surface. Van Ruijven: "We were looking for a block whose top surface was a bit drier to prevent the development of algae and ferns. The slime formed on the top by algae causes problems with watering while regularly removing weeds and ferns means extra labour."
At Van Ruijven, they grow for two consecutive years on the same slab. "In the second year, the slab is wetter. A drier block is therefore a nice consequence," he explains.
About the often mentioned positive contribution of a drier block to the reduction of Fusarium, he is critical. Van Ruijven: "The susceptibility to Fusarium is more the result of the watering strategy and climate, than of a drier or wetter rockwool block. A slightly drier root environment results in better root quality. By the end of September, you will need to keep an eye on the crop evaporation and not start up before 11am. If the sunlight is sufficient, watering can be done earlier."
About the often mentioned positive contribution of a drier block to the reduction of Fusarium, he is critical. Van Ruijven: "The susceptibility to Fusarium is more the result of the watering strategy and climate, than of a drier or wetter rockwool block. A slightly drier root environment results in better root quality. By the end of September, you will need to keep an eye on the crop evaporation and not start up before 11am. If the sunlight is sufficient, watering can be done earlier."
For more information:
Saint-Gobain Cultilene
Zeusstraat 2
5048 CA Tilburg
t + 31 (0)13 578 00 57
e info@cultilene.nl
www.cultilene.com