W. Martens Greenhouse, Beamsville, Ontario
![In june 2015, W.Martens Bluewater Greenhouses in Beamsville, Ontario, expanded with 7 acres, bringing the total acreage of the cucumber greenhouse to 14 acres, all under glass.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-121.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Bill Martens welcomed the group inside and told about his experience with growing cucumbers under diffused glass and growing high wire versus the umbrella system.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-123.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![As the new 7 acres are connected to the older structure with standard glass, a very good comparison can be made between the two cover materials. On the left is the diffused greenhouse. Standard glass is installed above the concrete path and the right section of the greenhouse. Martens told that the crop under diffused glass was planted one day later than the crops under standard glass. Yet the standard crop was six days later with picking the first cukes.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-124.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Two buses with interested growers, suppliers and other professionals showed many interest in Martens experience with diffused glass and the umbrella system. Martens grew high wire cukes for a while, but due to the cost of labour he returned to the older umbrella system. Now that the diffused glass gives him up to 20% more production he said that they might take another look at high wire in the future.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-125.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![All crops are propagated and grown on Cultilene stone wool slabs. The slabs are changed every crop, according to Martens because for the price of it, it is not worth to get diseased. Furthermore, in order to spread disease risks, Martens opted for two different propagators; Roelands Plant Farms and Ontario Plants.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-129.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![In order to guarantee quality of work as well as lower the risk of disease spreading, Marten's employees are responsible for the crops in their own bays.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-131.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![The cucumber grower told that he pays special attention to the integration of bio-controls. Red spider mites are a big threat, hence they introduce Swirskii Californicus sachets as early as possible.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-132.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![All of the cucumbers are transported to a central area where they are sorted, shrink wrapped and packed.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-137.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Employees manually empty the crates and perform a final quality check before the cukes are shrink wrapped individually.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-138.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Shrink wrapped cucumbers on their way to the Aweta sorting machine that sorts the cucumbers on size and weight.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-140.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![After seeing the packing house, the Martens family gave us a tour of the irrigation and heating facilities.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-150.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![Bill Martens explained how they are recirculating water with the help of water treatment installations.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-149.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
![One of these is a water purification installation from AgroZone. It purifies water with the Ozone technique, which is one of the most environmentally friendly techniques. The purification installation is based on 100% ozone oxidation. No consumables, like activated carbon, hydrogen peroxide, chloride, catalysts or coated ceramic grains, are needed. Just electricity and compressed air.](https://www.hortidaily.com/remote/https/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/hd-com/photos/6090/BillMartens2016-151.jpg?preset=AlbumCoverThumb)
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