Growing with AGGRAND

Using AGGRAND for Greenhouse Tomato Production

Greenhouse tomato production requires sufficient levels of macro and micronutrients to set fruit. Calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) are especially critical. Insufficient levels of these nutrients produce diseased plants and poor quality fruit.

To obtain the most comprehensive understanding of the nutrient levels and crop requirements of a particular soil, AGGRAND recommends a soil analysis be performed before determining a fertilization program. Soil Analysis Kits (G1374) are available from AGGRAND at a nominal cost.

Planting Mix

  1. Mix peat moss, Perlite, and coarse vermiculite in a 2:1:1 ratio.
  2. Substitute sandy loam, pumice, compost, castings, and etc. for part or all of the vermiculite.
  3. Add 5 pounds of high calcium lime and 2.5 pounds of dolomite lime to one cubic yards of mix.
  4. Soak the media with enough water to thoroughly wet the peat moss. Mix 1 gallon of AGGRAND Natural Liquid Lime and 1 quart of AGGRAND 4-3-3 Natural Fertilizer with the water and add to one cubic yard of mix. Use a wetting agent to aid in wetting the mix. Add a biological activator to further stimulate biological activity.
  5. Up to ⅓ used mix may be substituted for new mix. Blend them together after steps 1-4 are complete. Allow the mix to sit for several weeks before planting.

Soil Applications

Once seedlings have emerged and have developed 2-3 true leaves then begin fertilizing the soil. AGGRAND can be applied through greenhouse injection or mixed in a bucket and applied with a watering can. Rates are given for weekly applications. Adjust rates accordingly when applying more or less often.

  1. Mix 1.5 ounces AGGRAND 4-3-3, 1 ounce AGGARND 0-12-0 Natural Liquid Bonemeal, and 0.5 ounce AGGRAND 0-0-8 Natural Kelp and Sulfate of Potash with 1gallon of water. Apply 1 cup of solution to each gallon of media.
  2. Keep well watered between fertilizations. Leach the media with plenty of fresh water every 8 weeks or at least once during the growing cycle.

Foliar Applications

AGGRAND 4-3-3 can be applied to the leaves of greenhouse tomatoes to supply additional nutrients. Mix 1-2 ounces AGGRAND 4-3-3 with 1 gallon of water and apply as a fine mist to the tops and bottoms of the leaves. Apply enough solution to wet the leaf surfaces. Apply in 14-21 day intervals after the plants reach 2-3 true leaves. The critical stages for foliar applications are: 2-3 true leaves, pre-bloom, and early cluster formation.

Rates vary according to other inputs that are applied. Lower dilution rates are more effective than higher dilution rates. Two or three lighter applications may be more effective than one or two heavier applications. If other constraints only allow one application then do not exceed a 3% dilution rate (3 ounces of AGGRAND to 1 gallon of water).

The addition of a biodegradable surfactant increases uptake by promoting adhesion to the leaf surface. Apply AGGRAND in the early morning or late evening.

To reduce susceptibility to attack of insects and disease causing organisms foliar, apply 2 ounces of AGGRAND 4-3-3 or 1 ounce of AGGRAND 0-0-8 mixed in 1 gallon of water when signs of infestation begin to become apparent. When AGGRAND is added to the spray tank, it reduces the pesticides needed to obtain effective control by 1/3 to ½. Some growers are finding that AGGRAND applications alone eliminate the need for pesticide applications when signs of infestation begin to become apparent.