THE AG/FFA GREENHOUSE
The Intro to Ag students were given the opportunity to see firsthand how a large greenhouse operation works. The freshmen went to Stuart’s Greenhouse in Central City. This is the location where the Ag/FFA department gets their plants for their greenhouse. This greenhouse is different though, it has found a niche in the industry. Stuart’s main business is selling seedlings to schools that have greenhouses and planting containers for numerous customers in the state as well as all over the Midwest!
The freshmen were able to get their hands dirty after they learned about potting medium (soil), how to transplant seedlings into larger containers, planting seeds, germination, and how water, temperature, & light affect the plants growth and seed germination. The students were able to transplant seedling and plant VERY tiny seeds, which many thought would be very hard to do all day long.
Now, the plants are in the school greenhouse and doing very well. Ag students and FFA members are signed up to come in on the weekends to water the plants and make sure the heaters are on during the evening. During the week of March 24th the geraniums will be pinched - meaning that all the leaves (except for one) and buds will be cut or “pinched” off for a couple of weeks. This will give the plant time to form a strong and healthy root system and create a full and attractive look to the plant itself when it starts to grow. We will also start to plant our 12” containers using various ivy’s, vines, petunias, and geraniums.
The greenhouse is very full right now and soon there will be veggies as well.
Plant sales will be held April 30th – May 2nd with a few containers going on sale during the FFA Chapter Banquet on April 24th.
We invite anybody or class over to see the plants at anytime!