Run your greenhouse like a hospital: Best hygiene practices for grafting and propagation

The most successful growers treat their greenhouses like hospitals: clean, controlled environments built to protect the health of their patients—only in this case, the patients are plants. Sterility, strict protocols, and clear systems are essential for supporting plant health, especially when it comes to grafting and propagation.

Young plants are particularly vulnerable to diseases and infections, so proper hygiene is imperative. Here’s why hygiene is vital in grafting and propagation, and how to implement best practices in your greenhouse operation.

Why a clean start matters

Think of newborns in a hospital nursery: they are typically healthy, but at risk when exposed to airborne pathogens or contact with infected individuals. Their immune systems are still developing, so even minor exposure can have serious consequences.

It’s the same for newly germinated plants. They rarely carry diseases themselves—infections typically stem from older plants or contaminated greenhouse equipment and environments.

That’s why it’s critical to isolate grafted and propagated young plants from older stock. Before introducing new plants into your greenhouse, ensure everything—from tools to trays—is properly sterilized and thoroughly inspected.

Propagation companies: the benefits and risks

Not every grower has the resources to keep young plants in their own chambers. This is why today many growers use propagation companies to supply young and newly grafted plants. These specialists grow and graft young plants under controlled conditions, and they offer numerous advantages:

• High specialization: Propagation companies might specialize in a type of plant or grafting method and be able to consistently provide high-quality young plants. As a grower, you might not be able to achieve this specialization with multiple different crops.
• Advanced equipment: Propagation companies use advanced and cutting-edge tools for propagation and grafting that you might not be able to afford or store at your greenhouse.
• Controlled environments: Propagation companies often have many different germination rooms or chambers where they can control the light, temperature, and other factors that affect plant growth.
• Efficiency: Growers can save significant time and resources by buying plants at a later stage when they need less constant care and can be introduced to the greenhouse.

Buying from propagation companies is a smart choice for most growers. If you buy from a propagation company, you must inspect everything. Inspect all the plants, substrates, and equipment that reach your greenhouse. While propagation companies likely have their own hygiene protocols, your own due diligence is essential.

Best hygiene practices for grafting and propagation

Hygiene protocols protect young and newly grafted plants. Here are a few highly recommended protocols that you should implement.

• Test seeds: As mentioned, seeds are rarely the source of disease. That said, it is still important to check and monitor. Take samples for testing and visually inspect all seeds.
• Clean equipment: Sterilize all tools and surfaces, and reclean frequently between batches or zones.
• Cover soil: Most diseases spread through soil. Use covers to prevent airborne particles and water runoff from spreading pathogens.
• Use gloves and protective gear: Every person who enters your greenhouse should use gloves and protective gear to ensure they don’t bring any contaminants into the greenhouse.
• Disinfect transportation equipment: Crates and containers used to transport plants can become infected during deliveries and bring diseases back to the propagation company. Clean to avoid cross-contamination.

Decision three: How to manage rootstock and growing power?

Having a powerful rootstock won’t automatically translate into a higher yield. As a grower, you need to manage your growing power effectively to ensure quality production. Here are a few choices you have when managing your rootstock:

• High specialization: Propagation companies might specialize in a type of plant or grafting method and be able to consistently provide high-quality young plants. As a grower, you might not be able to achieve this specialization with multiple different crops.
• Advanced equipment: Propagation companies use advanced and cutting-edge tools for propagation and grafting that you might not be able to afford or store at your greenhouse.
• Controlled environments: Propagation companies often have many different germination rooms or chambers where they can control the light, temperature, and other factors that affect plant growth.
• Efficiency: Growers can save significant time and resources by buying plants at a later stage when they need less constant care and can be introduced to the greenhouse.

Compartmentalization: your best defense

The most effective strategy to protect young plants is compartmentalization. Designate different chambers, areas, or spaces for different groups of plants and strictly control the movement of people, tools, and materials between them.

If you compartmentalize well, then you will experience minimal losses in the case of an outbreak. You will be able to contain the disease and stop it from spreading to other plants.

Assign responsibility for hygiene

Your staff are key in upholding proper hygiene. Every employee should be trained on hygiene protocols. These protocols will add to their workload, so you might consider hiring a hygiene coordinator to oversee hygiene efforts. A specialist can develop protocols, conduct audits, and integrate protocols into daily routines.

Assign responsibility for hygiene

After reading this article, you might think implementing these protocols is expensive. It requires planning, labor, and even extra space. However, neglecting hygiene is even more costly.

Hygiene is an investment with a high return. Clean, healthy plants lead to higher yield and better quality, which will only ensure your reputation as a reliable supplier. This reputation is the most valuable asset any grower can have.