A mix of students, faculty and staff of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) School of Horticulture recently successfully completed a blended learning looking at the practicalities of developing a hydroponic crop nutrient recipe based on solution analysis.
This course called “From Analysis to Recipe” is especially designed for people who work with plants growing on substrates and make regular decisions about fertilizer recipes.
Industry consultant Tineke Goebertus of Vortus Greenhouse Consultants developed and delivered this program at the School of Horticulture glasshouse facility.
The participants enjoyed the blend of the following components: an e-learning, a hands-on workshop and a visit to a modern pepper glasshouse.
KPU participants with their certificates after the Vortus “Recipe to Analysis” blended learning, enjoying a visit to 16 Avenue Greenhouses.
The course helps you better understand how plants grow. This results in a better plant health and fruit quality. You learn useful things about:
- How to analyze the feed and the drain
- How to read the reports of these analyses
- Which essential elements each of the different fertilizers contribute
- The different targets for peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers and
- When and how to amend the fertilizer recipe
Commenting after the session, Horticulture Instructor Laura Bryce said “It was a great session, very well organized! The students gained valuable insight and hopefully this was the first of many such workshops for students and industry practitioners.”
This vocational e-learning is open not only to Vortus customers, but to everyone interested. It is an individual e-learning that can be taken in your own environment at your own pace. The course is now available in English and Dutch.
Individual support is available and questions can be asked using the learning platform. The course will take about 4 hours to complete.
Upon completion you will receive a certificate of achievement and you will be able to make your own fertilizer recipe and adjust it for your own crop.
If you are interested in following this course, contact Tineke Goebertus at vortus@shaw.ca for more information on how to get started.
For more information:
Vortus
vortus@shaw.ca
www.vortus.eu