Trends in Hydroponic Specialty Crops
The 2013 Educational Program Committee is pleased to share conference educational materials with you under the condition that they are used without alteration for educational and non-commercial use only. All materials are protected by copyright law. The authors kindly request their work is properly cited, including the date of publication. For more information on Small Farms, visit our website at: http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/ or contact your local County Extension Agent. For inquiries about this topic, please contact: Danielle Treadwell, Educational Program Chair. Phone: (352) 273-4775 Email: [email protected] Suggested Citation: Author Full Name. Title of Presentation or Handout. 2013 University of Florida-IFAS and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University-CAFS Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference. August 2-4, Kissimmee, FL.
Hydroponic Greenhouse Datil Pepper Production
Chris Barnes, Deep Creek Farms, Hastings, Florida
Barnes Farm 5-generation farming family, Hastings, FL Over 1200 acres of cabbage, watermelon, cantaloupe and
cucumber Reasons for interest in diversifying
Deep Creek Farm Largest hydroponic greenhouse datil pepper operation in the
world at present History of how it started and why: - UF/IFAS involvement – Dr. Dan Cantliffe - Reduced pesticide use food safety - Niches in greenhouse production (i.e., Ruskin, FL) - Datil-do-it - Endorphin Farms - Firehouse subs
Greenhouse Structure 6,000 square feet, Gutter Connect Ridge-vent roof, passively-ventilated UV polyethylene film, 50-mesh insect screen Black and white ground cover Auto-climate control
February 1
3-gallon black polyethylene pots Pine bark media Barnes-UF datil pepper variety Seeded in December, transplanted in February
February 11
Fertigation System
¾” polypipe, 1 gph emitters Dosatron proportional injectors Automated Nutrient solution Millers 16-4-13
February 11
February 25
Pros and Cons Trellising system
March 11
Size of pots
Beginning of fruit set – March 18
March 26
March 26
April 15
April 15
April 29
April 29
April 29
May 13
Manual harvest Five to six harvests Starting in June, ending in December 200-220 pepper per lb
May 13
Potential growth 12-13 feet Height pruned to 7 feet
May 13
May 13
Marketing Movement of product Advertisement and local awareness: - agri-tourism - field trips - commercials - YouTube
Words of Wisdom Challenges Lessons learned Take-home message: specialty niche considerations
Top Related