In July, the thermometer columns are increasingly rising above 30 degrees, and in greenhouses sometimes it generally becomes unbearably – up to 50 ยฐ C and higher. In such weather, not only people, but also plants suffer. They, like us, experience stress, stop “breathing” normally and absorb food, and in worst cases, they simply burn in the sun.
What to do so as not to be left without a crop? How to support the green inhabitants of the site in the midst of summer? This was told by the agronomist of the Lugansk branch of the “Donetsk” branch of Rosselkhozcentre Tatyana Dziuba.
Greenhouse – risk zone
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Cultures growing in closed ground suffer from the heat. There, the temperature rises much faster, and the humidity jumps – the roots overheat, the plant loses the tone, absorbs water and nutrition worse. All this leads to wilting and reducing yield.
In such conditions, it is extremely important to improve ventilation. It is advisable to place the reflecting screens on the sides of the greenhouse, and inside – put containers with cold water. This will help at least slightly reduce the air temperature.
In more serious farms, fog -forming systems are used: they create a water curtain and effectively cool the interior. But here it is important not to overdo it – excess moisture can turn into a flash of fungal diseases.
Open soil is also not salvation
In the beds, plants receive a blow on two fronts: from hot air and from hot soil. To soften this effect, experts advise using White non -woven materials for shading. They reflect excess light, without interfering with air exchange. But the plastic film is not worth using – it only enhances the greenhouse effect.
Mulch and regular loosening – Two more important tools. They help maintain moisture at the roots, prevent the soil overheating and allow air to circulate freely.
It is better to water in the early morning or in the late afternoon when the sun is less active. Water should not be icy, but warm – so the risk of burns on the leaves decreases. Watering itself is directed to the root, and not over the entire surface.
How to protect leaves and stems
Special drugs that reduce the harm of ultraviolet radiation are saved from solar radiation. According to Tatyana Dziuba, they are able to reflect up to 95% of dangerous rays, while photosynthesis does not suffer. An effective replacement may be a suspension of kaolin (fine white clay). It reduces the surface temperature of the leaves by an average of 5 ยฐ C and reduces the evaporation of moisture by almost a third.
Such processing is especially useful for fruit trees, tomatoes and cucumbers during an active sun.
What cultures to choose in the future
When planning landings for the next season, agronomists recommend that you pay attention to the varieties and hybrids that are bred to resist the heat and drought in advance. They retain the elasticity of the leaves longer, adapt better to moisture deficiency and give a stable crop even in an abnormal summer.
What is important to remember
Support for plants in the heat requires a systematic approach. Here are a few main rules:
- Do not water the plants under the sun – this leads to burns.
- Do not cover the landing with a film – use light non -woven material.
- Do not forget to loosen the soil and mulch the beds.
- Be sure to ventilate the greenhouses and avoid waterlogging.
- Use protective compositions from ultraviolet radiation.
Each of these points is a step towards a healthy and strong harvest. And in conditions when summer increasingly beats temperature records, this knowledge becomes especially relevant.