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Hygiene protocol for cultivation on groundcover

Hygiene is a most important factor in horticulture: with the help of various hygiene measures, we need to prevent bacteria, fungi and viruses from entering the farm or from being left behind during crop changes. The hygiene protocol for ground cloth/cover crops will help you with this process! This protocol provides you with the steps that need to be taken for optimal cleaning and disinfection during cultivation, and other methods that should be used during cultivation.
Greenhouse Groundcover
Jasper Verhoeven
Specialist hygiene & disinfection | October 30, 2019 | 5 min. reading time

ActivitiesExplanatory notes




Cleaning
Watering system cleaning 
Clean the watering system with chlorine bleach and nitric acid (if necessary), see procedure.
 Watering system removal 
Remove the dripper system (dripper hoses) to be able to follow the procedure below (if necessary)  
Mechanical cleaning 
Remove the dripper system (dripper hoses) to be able to follow the procedure below (if necessary)
Sweeping 
Sweep the ground cloth clean (if necessary) 
Algae treatment 
If algae are present, spray the cloth with Menno ter Forte for use of this solution: 0.2 litres per m2)
Ground cloth cleaningSpray the cloth with Hortisept Clean 1 - 3 % (depending on level of contamination) Rinse clean by spraying plenty of water before this product dries. Hortisept Clean Plus is a foaming variation that can be applied via a manual disinfection sprayer or other foam cleaning device (such as the Boons V unit). (Treatment with Hortisept is perfectly suited for the removal of dead algae)
Cleaning check
Before disinfection, check that the ground cloth (and the irrigation mat) are cleaned properly!
Disinfection Ground cloth disinfection (without irrigation mat)After cleaning, soak the ground cloth in a solution of Menno florades. (Directions: 0.2 litres of liquid per m2) When preparing a Menno florades solution, the pH drops to values < 3.5. The product is active up to a pH of up to 4.5. Use pH test strips under the ground cloth to check that the solution has reached everywhere.
Ground cloth disinfection (with irrigation mat)After cleaning, soak the ground cloth with a solution of Menno florades. (Direction: 1.0 - 2.0 litrs of liquid per m2) When preparing a Menno florades solution, the pH drops to values < 3.5. The product is active up to a pH of up to 4.5. Use pH test strips under the irrigation mat to check that solution has reached everywhere.
Rehydration Always add Aquagro L to the irrigation water to be able to achieve proper (re)hydration of the potting soil or substrate.
Note: the advice in this protocol is based on product authorizations in the Netherlands.
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Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Jasper Verhoeven will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.

Hygiene protocol for cultivation on groundcover

Hygiene is a most important factor in horticulture: with the help of various hygiene measures, we need to prevent bacteria, fungi and viruses from entering the farm or from being left behind during crop changes. The hygiene protocol for ground cloth/cover crops will help you with this process! This protocol provides you with the steps that need to be taken for optimal cleaning and disinfection during cultivation, and other methods that should be used during cultivation.
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Jasper Verhoeven
Jasper Verhoeven
Specialist hygiene & disinfection | October 30, 2019 | 5 min. reading time
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Greenhouse Groundcover

ActivitiesExplanatory notes




Cleaning
Watering system cleaning 
Clean the watering system with chlorine bleach and nitric acid (if necessary), see procedure.
 Watering system removal 
Remove the dripper system (dripper hoses) to be able to follow the procedure below (if necessary)  
Mechanical cleaning 
Remove the dripper system (dripper hoses) to be able to follow the procedure below (if necessary)
Sweeping 
Sweep the ground cloth clean (if necessary) 
Algae treatment 
If algae are present, spray the cloth with Menno ter Forte for use of this solution: 0.2 litres per m2)
Ground cloth cleaningSpray the cloth with Hortisept Clean 1 - 3 % (depending on level of contamination) Rinse clean by spraying plenty of water before this product dries. Hortisept Clean Plus is a foaming variation that can be applied via a manual disinfection sprayer or other foam cleaning device (such as the Boons V unit). (Treatment with Hortisept is perfectly suited for the removal of dead algae)
Cleaning check
Before disinfection, check that the ground cloth (and the irrigation mat) are cleaned properly!
Disinfection Ground cloth disinfection (without irrigation mat)After cleaning, soak the ground cloth in a solution of Menno florades. (Directions: 0.2 litres of liquid per m2) When preparing a Menno florades solution, the pH drops to values < 3.5. The product is active up to a pH of up to 4.5. Use pH test strips under the ground cloth to check that the solution has reached everywhere.
Ground cloth disinfection (with irrigation mat)After cleaning, soak the ground cloth with a solution of Menno florades. (Direction: 1.0 - 2.0 litrs of liquid per m2) When preparing a Menno florades solution, the pH drops to values < 3.5. The product is active up to a pH of up to 4.5. Use pH test strips under the irrigation mat to check that solution has reached everywhere.
Rehydration Always add Aquagro L to the irrigation water to be able to achieve proper (re)hydration of the potting soil or substrate.
Note: the advice in this protocol is based on product authorizations in the Netherlands.
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Jasper Verhoeven will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Jasper Verhoeven
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