Page 16 - Griffin Gazette Issue 3 - 2022

STEP 2: CLEANING
Top notch cleaning entails removal of mineral
salts and all organic material from surfaces.
Acid cleaners such as Strip-It Pro (Pace 49) and
GreenClean High Strength Acid Cleaner (BioSafe
Systems) have the power to eat through tough
biofilm, algae, and debris due to the combination of
an acid with strong detergents in these products.
For cleaning coolers or enclosed spaces with
limited ventilation, chlorine-based cleaners are
recommended instead. Horti-Klor (Pace 49)
or GreenClean High Strength Alkaline Cleaner
(BioSafe Systems) are commonly used in interior
settings. These products are not effective at
dissolving mineral deposits and are not amenable
to cleaning irrigation systems, as the acid cleaners
are. Cleaners can be applied by spray (Figure 1),
tank dip/soak, or foaming equipment. Cleaners
must be rinsed off with clear water prior to drying
on the applied area. Appropriate cleaning time
will be dependent on the application method and
level of cleaning required.
Broadcasting Green-Clean Pro to algae covered concrete walkways.

STEP 3: DISINFECTING INTRA-SEASON SANITATION
After thorough rinsing of the cleaner, complete We know that weeds serve as a reservoir to re-infect your crops
the disinfection process using a sanitizer. with insects and diseases, algae provides a breeding ground
Options include Green-Shield II, KleenGrow, for fungus gnats and shore flies, and biofilm can quickly clog
SaniDate 5.0, SaniDate 12.0 and ZeroTol 2.0. irrigation equipment leading to losses. Years of assisting growers
Sanitizers can be applied in a similar manner as with crop problems has convinced us that an ounce of prevention
cleaners. Treated surfaces should be allowed to is indeed worth a pound of cure!
dry without rinsing once the contact time is met.
Foaming applications are particularly helpful to Make a plan for weed control. Manually pulling weeds is
maintain longer contact time on vertical surfaces effective but labor intensive and time consuming. There are a
(Figure 2). Quaternary ammonium products few herbicides that can be safely used in greenhouses with or
such as KleenGrow and Green-Shield II should without plants present. Here are several non-selective, post-
not be used sanitize tools or equipment that will emergent herbicides that can be used in greenhouses: Axxe
contact food crops. Some oxidizing sanitizers (OMRI), Cheetah Pro (no plants present), Envoy (kills grasses
have specific label uses such as SaniDate 5.0 only), Finale XL T&O (no edible plants present), FireWorxx
not being labeled for actual crop contact, edible (OMRI), Reward, Round-Up Pro, and Scythe. Preventative
or ornamental, while ZeroTol 2.0 and SaniDate pre-emergent herbicides can also be used: Marengo, Marengo
12.0 can be used as foliar fungicides along with G, and SureGuard SC (no plants present, other label restrictions).
their use in sanitation.
Algae is the other undesirable green in production areas. Periodic
sprays with any of the sanitizers mentioned above can prevent
algae development. ZeroTol 2.0, SaniDate 12.0, and KleenGrow
(no edible crops) can be used over the top of plants for algae
control on soil or bench surfaces. These products can furthermore
be used as continuous or pulse treatments in irrigation water for
control of algae and some pathogens. For remediation on floors
or groundcover cloth, the granular product GreenClean Pro
(OMRI) can be broadcasted to kill algae on contact and provides
some residual control (Figure 3).
It is the grower’s responsibility to read the label for restrictions,
details and warnings for your particular use or contact GGSPro
for assistance. Please note that products other than those listed
in this article may be safe and effective.
Applying Strip-It Pro cleaner using a foamer to increase
contact time on vertical surfaces.