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Canadian Greenhouse Conference Bus Tour, 2024, Canada

The day began at Ridge Farms. Despite growing ToBRFV-resistant varieties there, hygiene measures remain strict.
The day began at Ridge Farms. Despite growing ToBRFV-resistant varieties there, hygiene measures remain strict.
Let's get started
Let's get started
Ridge Farms grows predominantly beef tomatoes, but also has cherry tomatoes and vine tomatoes (TOVs) on trial, among others.
Ridge Farms grows predominantly beef tomatoes, but also has cherry tomatoes and vine tomatoes (TOVs) on trial, among others.
The varieties in the greenhouse at Ridge Farms, with Ferreira as the main variety.
The varieties in the greenhouse at Ridge Farms, with Ferreira as the main variety.
Beware of hard-working bumblebees.
Beware of hard-working bumblebees.
Four to five days after harvest, the tomatoes are on the shelf. Therefore, they are not harvested bright red fresh.
Four to five days after harvest, the tomatoes are on the shelf. Therefore, they are not harvested bright red fresh.
The water technology room at Ridge Farms.
The water technology room at Ridge Farms.
Sydneigh Wilson was the occasional guide.
Sydneigh Wilson was the occasional guide.
Power Bee by Bogaerts
Power Bee by Bogaerts
Water technology from Zwart Systems
Water technology from Zwart Systems
Ridge Farms' greenhouse was built in 2021.
Ridge Farms' greenhouse was built in 2021.
The tomato grower works with UV-C water disinfection.
The tomato grower works with UV-C water disinfection.
A fabric filter has also been installed.
A fabric filter has also been installed.
One of four large silos.
One of four large silos.
There are two boilers, with one serving as a back-up. A requirement from insurance.
There are two boilers, with one serving as a back-up. A requirement from insurance.
Find the names of the Dutch suppliers, they really were all over the tomato greenhouse.
Find the names of the Dutch suppliers, they really were all over the tomato greenhouse.
What is your stem density? Guests' questions sometimes really went into the details.
What is your stem density? Guests' questions sometimes really went into the details.
In the greenhouse, crops are grown without lighting.
In the greenhouse, crops are grown without lighting.
Just taking a photo. Many of the bustourgangers were from Canada, but there were also participants from Kenya, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Just taking a photo. Many of the bustourgangers were from Canada, but there were also participants from Kenya, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Harvesting continued as usual on Tuesday morning.
Harvesting continued as usual on Tuesday morning.
Royal Brinkman supplies numerous products to growers in the region, including its own hygiene locks.
Royal Brinkman supplies numerous products to growers in the region, including its own hygiene locks.
The typical North American truck was not missing either.
The typical North American truck was not missing either.
The greenhouse is so new that the plantings along the façade are also still young and fresh.
The greenhouse is so new that the plantings along the façade are also still young and fresh.
Hey, LED lighting at JEM Farms.
Hey, LED lighting at JEM Farms.
By the footbath on entry.
By the footbath on entry.
Jamie Mastronardi and Blake Fisher of JEM Farms gave the tour.
Jamie Mastronardi and Blake Fisher of JEM Farms gave the tour.
There was not a speck of dust to be found
There was not a speck of dust to be found
Instructions in English and Spanish
Instructions in English and Spanish
The regular, long cucumbers will go into production in a few weeks.
The regular, long cucumbers will go into production in a few weeks.
Spray boom
Spray boom
Head grower Blake talked endlessly, and also received many questions.
Head grower Blake talked endlessly, and also received many questions.
Besides long cucumbers, mini cucumbers are also grown.
Besides long cucumbers, mini cucumbers are also grown.
Lots of yellow among all the green.
Lots of yellow among all the green.
Fan in the older of the two greenhouses. Airmix systems hang in the newest greenhouse.
Fan in the older of the two greenhouses. Airmix systems hang in the newest greenhouse.
The Airmix system allows growers to leave screens and windows closed more. Also important to prevent light emission.
The Airmix system allows growers to leave screens and windows closed more. Also important to prevent light emission.
Again, the question about stem density came up: 3 per metre.
Again, the question about stem density came up: 3 per metre.
Thrips and spider mites are annoying pests in the greenhouse. Aphids are also troublesome, but of these three pests, grower Blake says they are best controlled biologically.
Thrips and spider mites are annoying pests in the greenhouse. Aphids are also troublesome, but of these three pests, grower Blake says they are best controlled biologically.
To keep insects out, insect netting has been used.
To keep insects out, insect netting has been used.
Summers can get hot. That is a challenge. Coatings help cool the greenhouse.
Summers can get hot. That is a challenge. Coatings help cool the greenhouse.
There is room to innovate and conduct research, including ecoation.
There is room to innovate and conduct research, including ecoation.
Who remembers these logos?
Who remembers these logos?
Roelandts Plant Farms is one of the local nurseries.
Roelandts Plant Farms is one of the local nurseries.
The harvest has really just begun.
The harvest has really just begun.
In the section of the greenhouse that serves as a demo facility, the growers compare full LED and a hybrid installation with LED and HPS. For now, they are leaning towards hybrid.
In the section of the greenhouse that serves as a demo facility, the growers compare full LED and a hybrid installation with LED and HPS. For now, they are leaning towards hybrid.
There is close cooperation with the University of Windsor. A list of studies is read out here.
There is close cooperation with the University of Windsor. A list of studies is read out here.
The inventive growers developed their own machine to shred the crop. For this, they used a part of a larger machine used to shred maize.
The inventive growers developed their own machine to shred the crop. For this, they used a part of a larger machine used to shred maize.
Terry Colasanti addresses the guests, who also enjoyed lunch at his farm.
Terry Colasanti addresses the guests, who also enjoyed lunch at his farm.
At Colasanti's Tropical Gardens, they grow a lot of different types of plants. The biggest product is the Venus flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula).
At Colasanti's Tropical Gardens, they grow a lot of different types of plants. The biggest product is the Venus flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula).
The Venus flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula) is the only plant grown under illumination here.
The Venus flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula) is the only plant grown under illumination here.
Automation is used, but there is still a lot of manual work too.
Automation is used, but there is still a lot of manual work too.
Terry is proud that the fourth generation is now active.
Terry is proud that the fourth generation is now active.
Many tropical plants can be found, including this coffee plant.
Many tropical plants can be found, including this coffee plant.
Part of the company is set up for entertainment.
Part of the company is set up for entertainment.
It is October and almost time for Halloween in North America.
It is October and almost time for Halloween in North America.
Little lighting in the greenhouse, the more flashing LED lights in the game area.
Little lighting in the greenhouse, the more flashing LED lights in the game area.
Colasanti's Tropical Gardens also functions as a garden centre.
Colasanti's Tropical Gardens also functions as a garden centre.
One follows trends and new developments, such as that of the Petticoat cyclamen.
One follows trends and new developments, such as that of the Petticoat cyclamen.
Despite all the tropical animals, the goats prove to be the biggest crowd puller.
Despite all the tropical animals, the goats prove to be the biggest crowd puller.
Director of Operations Theun Peters gives a tour at Ontario Plants Propagation, which really just officially opened on Tuesday morning, despite the final touches still needing to be made.
Director of Operations Theun Peters gives a tour at Ontario Plants Propagation, which really just officially opened on Tuesday morning, despite the final touches still needing to be made.
On 13 acres, they will work with more than 5,000 tables or containers. If the full 44 acres are there in the future, that number will rise to more than 20,000 containers.
On 13 acres, they will work with more than 5,000 tables or containers. If the full 44 acres are there in the future, that number will rise to more than 20,000 containers.
Bosman Van Zaal handles container logistics.
Bosman Van Zaal handles container logistics.
This crane can lift five tables at a time.
This crane can lift five tables at a time.
All tables are also washed.
All tables are also washed.
Pieter van Dijk of Ontario Plants Propagation during one of his tours Tuesday.
Pieter van Dijk of Ontario Plants Propagation during one of his tours Tuesday.
The HPS lighting is still being hung.
The HPS lighting is still being hung.
Pieter is told that time is up. The group has to get back on the bus.
Pieter is told that time is up. The group has to get back on the bus.
The ProfilGate ensures disinfected tyres.
The ProfilGate ensures disinfected tyres.
Seen four companies in one day. It was a successful bus tour.
Seen four companies in one day. It was a successful bus tour.