A virtual Field Trip to Bell Greenhouses

This virtual field trip will take you to a greenhouse and learn more about what it takes to have a successful greenhouse. This visit will be to Bell Greenhouses; 5437 Comstock Avenue; Kalamazoo, MI 49048 (269)343-6857. Before you start this trip, you might want to take a quick look at the report directions that you need to use to report your field trip experience. Note that you can click on the small images to show a larger, clearer image so you can look closer at what is being shown.

Debbie, an employee of Bells Greenhouse in Comstock, welcomes the Botany class.

Debbie Shows the class Baby Tears and explains the composition of the soil used for the plants that will potted. The green house uses a soiless mixture of peat, vermiculite, and perlite.

Showing the corm-like tuber of the cyclamen which is grown on top of the soil

Showing hanging baskets on a water tube system feeding and watering hundreds of plants at a time.

This beautiful picture shows cyclamen - mature and in full bloom. Conditions for growing include:
	bright indirect light night temperature 50-55, day 68^oF let top of soil dry between waterings fertilize lightly while flowering keep crown and leaves dry

A "plug" grown from seed

A "plug" grown from cuttings

Showing a soil machine. Peat, perlite, and vermiculite are put in separate hoppers. They are released onto a conveyor belt where they are mixed with 75% peat, 20% perlite, and 5% vermiculite.

The soil is conveyed to a flat filling machine. The flats are loaded in one end, filled with soil and brushed smooth as seen in this photo.

Filled flats on pallets, ready for later use.

Cindy planting Roses

Plants that are planted on the planting line go through a watering tunnel

Sensors turn water spray on and off as the flats move through the tunnel

A closer look at flats exiting the water tunnel.

Plug Popper:
A Machine that loosens plugs making transplanting easy.

Primrose on self-watering benches.

A closer look at the Primrose in full bloom.

Showing how new buds form under the blooms.

Primrose - Acaulis. These plants need:
Bright indirect light
Let top of soil dry between waterings
Best in cooler locations.

Showing diversity of plant product in novelty annuals

Seed storage in a cooler

Seed Machine. Plants single seeds into plug flats

Box room - Corrugated boxes are stapled and used for wholesale shipping.

Violet Propagation

Plantlets growing from original cutting.

It takes approximately 6 months from leaf cutting to the finished 4 inch violet plant.

Plantlets sprout from the base of the leaf cutting.

Leaf cuttings are inserted into a soiless mixture to where the stem is all the way in and the leaf is just touching soil.

Shade cloth system for shading violets. Temperature in the low 70^o year around.

Propagation benches with an overhead watering system. Because of the air circulation and benches with felt mats in the greenhouse, the violets can be watered from above. In the home, they should be watered from the bottom.

Samples of leaf cuttings from violets

A mature 6" violet. Bells is the largest grower of African Violets in the State of Michigan.

Miniature violets.

Misting benches on a timer that assures proper watering of the young plants.

Ivy benches

Seed plug flats just beginning to germinate. This room is kept at approximately 75o with increased humidity to aid in the germination.

Plug flats on misting benches

Propagating violets on misting benches

"Cold frame" with dormant perennials. The cold frame may be slightly warmer than winter outdoor temperatures. It is used for Grasses, Hostas, and day lilies.

Time to head back to class to write up the reports of our observations on this fieldtrip.

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Report Directions

You are about to embark on a virtual field trip to Bell's Greenhouse in Comstock, Michigan. Begin your field trip by walking virtually through the greenhouse. We have provided you with notes from a greenhouse employee. At the conclusion of this fieldtrip you are to write a report, minimum of 2 pages, and include the following topics in your report.

Bell's is a Propagation greenhouse. What does that mean and how does that differ from a "typical" commercial greenhouse. Describe at least 3 types of propagation that Bell's does and which plants they use this on.
Do all plants require a uniform greenhouse temperature? If not, how did temperature vary for various plants. List examples.
How are vast amounts of plants watered?
Do all plants require a standard soil or a mix? Describe this?
Describe a plant that Bell's is "noted" for and how they produce it.
Conclude how this experience has helped you understand plant propagation. List at least 2 concepts that were demonstrated on this field trip that you gained understanding,

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