Protecting crops from airborne diseases like viruses, bacteria, mould, and powdery mildew is essential for a smooth operation. When these issues begin to arise, it can often be very difficult to eradicate them, and the consequences can extend beyond the immediate crop at hand. The health of your entire garden ecosystem may be at risk, potentially compromising future yields and the overall vitality of your plants. However, armed with the right knowledge and proactive measures, you can not only address these challenges but also fortify your plants against future threats.
What is Botrytis?
Bud rot, also known as botrytis, bud rot or grey mould, is a fungal disease that affects various plants. This destructive fungus, caused by Botrytis cinerea, typically thrives in conditions with high humidity and poor air circulation. Bud rot specifically targets the buds or flowers of the plant, causing significant, irreversible damage to the crop.
What is Powdery Mildew?
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants, including crops, ornamental plants, and trees. Unlike many other types of fungi, powdery mildew does not require water to germinate and spread. It thrives in dry conditions with moderate temperatures.
The characteristic symptoms of powdery mildew include the appearance of a white, powdery substance on the surfaces of leaves, stems, and sometimes flowers. This powdery residue consists of fungal spores and mycelium. As the disease progresses, affected plant tissues may become distorted, yellow, or brown, leading to stunted growth and reduced yields in agricultural crops.
Traditional Methods of Dealing with Botrytis & Powdery Mildew
-
Proper Ventilation:
Ensure good air circulation around plants by spacing them appropriately. This helps reduce humidity levels and minimises the conditions favourable for fungal growth. Proper ventilation is crucial in indoor cultivation settings.
Regularly prune and thin out excess foliage to improve light penetration and air movement within the plant canopy. This can discourage the development of conditions conducive to fungal infections.
-
Bicarbonate of Soda Spray:
A mixture of water and sodium bicarbonate can be used as a foliar spray to combat powdery mildew. This alters the pH on the plant's surface, creating an environment less favourable for the fungus.
-
Milk Spray:
Milk, when diluted with water, can act as a natural fungicide. The proteins in milk have antifungal properties. Use a mixture of milk and water as a foliar spray to help prevent and control powdery mildew.
Introducing Horti Air Filter
Say hello to the Horti 25 Air Filter - the champion of plant health, increased yields, and accelerated growth. Operating on a low wattage, this filter continuously cleanses the air, eliminating harmful pathogens that pose threat to crops. Incorporating ODOGard filtration technology enhances odour neutralising properties, and eradicates volatile organic compounds with ease.
Horti takes the hassle out of internal air management, creating a clean, healthy environment where plants will thrive, so you can focus on your business.
How Does Horti 25 Work?
Replicating nature’s air purification processes, this clever air filtration system cleans and purifies indoor air 24 hours a day.
Featuring patented active radiant catalysis technology (ARC), a cutting-edge form of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), Horti UV air filters mimic the sun’s ultraviolet energy. The broad spectrum UV lamp activates a catalyst that converts internal humidity into oxidising hydroxyls that sanitise the air.
In other words, these units convert airborne moisture into a natural and completely harmless cleaning agent that purifies the air.
But the magic doesn't stop there. In nature, lightning’s powerful electrical discharge adds an extra molecule to oxygen to create activated oxygen. Horti’s air purifying technology works in the same way.
Through utilising Bipolar Ionization, a plasma of electrical charges draws particles together until they are too heavy to float in the air. As a result, harmful particles are neutralised and fall to the floor. This reduction in airborne pathogens and pollutants results in a healthier growing environment with improved air quality. Cleaner air enhances crop health while providing protection against crop devastation caused by unrelenting diseases including Powdery Mildew, and Botrytis fruit rot.
Advanced Air Filtration with ODOGard Treated HEPA Filters
Combining the efficiencies of ARC with the odour neutralising technology of ODOGard, Horti filters provide truly advanced air filtration and a massive reduction in volatile organic compounds. ODOGard attaches to odour molecules and VOCs, destroying them at a molecular level. Stubborn odours, mould, dust, bacteria, and viruses are trapped and eliminated, providing clean, odourless air, a cleaner indoor environment, and healthier, more fruitful crops.
Benefits of Horti Grow Room Air Filters
- Reduces the risk of devastating bacteria, moulds, and viruses.
- Purifies both air and surfaces.
- ODOGard systems are 99% more efficient than carbon filters.
- Removal of 140% more volatile organic compounds compared to carbon filters.
- ODOGard filters have a reduced pressure drop, making them more efficient and cost-effective than MERV 13 filters.
- Broad spectrum UV lamp increases catalyst activation.
- Honeycomb catalyst matrix provides a bigger surface area increasing oxidizer production.
- Innovative POC technology utilises additional synergistic components that produce on average 16 times more hydroxyls than other units.
- Advanced oxidation for healthier crops.
- Avoids the use of harsh chemicals and pesticides.
- Helps growers become Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant.
- Improves overall crop health and quality.
- Increases yields for a more profitable horticultural business.
- Not just for grow rooms, Horti is suitable for any indoor environment.
Wall Mounted Air Filtration Unit
Easy to install, this filtration system offers the ultimate reassurance for professional and commercial growers.
- Horti 25: Wall Mounted - Covers 25 square metres of grow space
Are Horti Air Filters Worth It?
By investing in Horti indoor grow room air purifiers, you’re not only creating a cleaner environment for plants and employees, but you’re also safeguarding your horticultural business from crop loss, downtime, and loss of revenue. Just one occurrence of Powdery Mildew can completely wipe out an entire indoor growing facility, costing thousands of pounds in lost revenue. With Horti 25, you can have an air of confidence that your growing environment is in safe hands.
Used by commercial growers around the world, this innovative air filtration system is a piece of kit seriously worth considering due to its hassle free installation, advanced air filtration and low maintenance. To find out more about this revolutionary filtration technology, get in touch with the team.
