A Detailed Guide to Flower Dipping Techniques and Precautions for Greenhouse Vegetables

Greenhouse vegetable cultivation often suffers from insufficient light and unsuitable temperature and humidity, which prevent normal pollination and lead to severe flower and fruit drop. Therefore, in greenhouse vegetable production, plant hormones are often used for flower dipping to increase yield, as this can raise the fruit-setting rate, accelerate fruit expansion and increase yield. However, improper operation can cause deformities and reduced yields. So how should greenhouse vegetables be dipped in flowers? Let's take a look together.

1. Selection of flower-dipping agents

Commonly used flower-dipping agents include 2,4-D and 4-CPA (fruit-setting hormone). Both can be used on solanaceous vegetables. Studies have shown that using 2,4-D for flower dipping gives a higher fruit-setting rate, but it causes some damage to the young buds and tender shoots of solanaceous vegetables, so it is generally used for dipping or smearing flowers; while the damage caused by 4-CPA is mild, but the fruit-setting rate is somewhat lower than that of 2,4-D, making it suitable for spraying flowers. So which flower-dipping agent to choose depends on the plant's growth vigor. For plants that are strong or weak in vigor, reduce the use of 2,4-D for flower dipping, while for plants of moderate vigor, it is recommended to use 4-CPA.

2. Flower dipping techniques

1. Do not spot-treat flowers too early

Many farmers spot-treat flowers extremely early when growing solanaceous vegetables, starting as soon as flowers appear, which often leads to poor flower bud differentiation on the first cluster, and even after spot-treating, deformed fruits will develop later. Therefore, during the seedling stage, vegetables should be grown with the goal of cultivating strong plants. Early flower spotting can also direct nutrients to the root system and stems and leaves, cultivating strong seedlings, but a balance must be maintained.

2. Do not dip too many flowers

The number of flowers dipped should be determined by the plant's growth vigor. If the plant is weak in growth, fewer flowers should be dipped, and the stems and vines should be strengthened first, otherwise the plant's reproductive growth will be inhibited, causing poor leaf development and leading to frequent pests and diseases.

3. Experiment first when changing the formula

The preparation of the flower-dipping agent is also extremely critical. If the formula is changed, it can easily cause fruit deformities. Do not randomly add hormone-containing foliar fertilizers to the flower-dipping agent. Under different temperature conditions, the concentration of the agent should be changed, but a test should be carried out first, and only after the test succeeds should it be used on a large scale, so as to avoid huge losses.

3. Precautions for flower dipping

When dipping flowers, pay attention to the timing. Generally, spot-treating can begin when 2 to 3 flowers of the first cluster have opened. Dipping too early easily forms stiff fruits, and too late easily causes fruit cracking. Be careful during flower dipping, and do not let the agent drip onto the branches and leaves, as this can easily cause phytotoxicity, resulting in wilting and necrosis of the affected parts. Do not spot-treat the stigma when dipping flowers, as this will stimulate the stigma and easily cause fruit cracking, and in severe cases of repeated spotting, it can almost cause total crop failure. Also pay attention to soil moisture. If the soil is too dry, water first before dipping flowers, to avoid the phenomenon of fruit cracking caused by watering after flower dipping.

  The above introduces the flower dipping techniques and precautions for greenhouse vegetables. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.