Sponsored by Blue Lab and Hills Laboratories, the ‘Dirt, Fert and Squirt Workshops’ were held in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch over the month of July and August. These workshops were put on by NZ Plant Producers Inc. and NZ International Plant Propagators society and were presented by Paul Fisher, Ph.D. Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Florida.
Over 100 people took time to attend these workshops and invested in their professional development. Attendees worked through best management practices for substrates, fertilisers, and water for greenhouse and nursery growers of leafy green, landscape and container crops. They learnt the importance of managing pH and Electrical Conductivity in growing substrates and irrigation, and correct fertiliser application to better manage plant quality and health, conserve water and fertiliser, and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into the environment.
We extend a special thanks to our workshop hosts; Rainbow Park Nurseries, Totara Glen Nurseries, and the Christchurch Botanic Garden Kiosk, and Blue Lab and Hills Laboratories for sponsoring and supplying the practical equipment and testing results for the day. We also thank NZ International Plant Propagators Society for working with us to put these workshops together and especially Paul Fisher Ph.D. Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Florida for presenting.
Paul Fisher runs many online courses for grower through the University of Florida (4 weeks long, with a certificate of completion from the University of Florida), including courses on nutrients, weeds, diseases, costing, and hydroponics. In 2022, he will again offer the Irrigation Water Quality and Treatment course and Greenhouse 101. Check hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training for more information. As an NZPPI member, you can receive a 20% discount at registration. Contact alice@nzppi.co.nz for the special NZPPI discount code.
The feedback recieved was very positive. NZ Plant Producers Inc. and International Plant Propagators society took away your anonymous evaluations and will utilise them to understand the topics you want from workshops and other professional development training in the future.
