Presentation of Palaplast products in Olynthos, Halkidiki.

Palaplast, on Thursday 01 December 2022 conducted a presentation of its products in the area of Olynthos, Halkidiki.

The main objective was to make a presentation to local farmers – but not only – of the new production activity of Palaplast’s PVC pipes and a creative discussion about the problems faced in the agricultural crops of the wider region of Halkidiki, as well as to propose solutions that will contribute to both the improvement of crops and the saving of water.

Halkidiki is one of the main agricultural regions of Northern Greece with the main crop being the edible olive (Halkidiki, Kalamon etc.) followed by olive trees for olive oil, apricot etc., so the installation and use of integrated drip irrigation systems is considered essential.

However, a major problem of the area and especially of the coastal parts is the quality of water (brackish water), resulting in accelerated malfunctioning of the irrigation networks. During the presentation there was a fruitful discussion with the Palaplast team about the problems the locals face in the area, the need to use filters according to the irrigation system of the crop while also integrated filtration solutions were proposed.

In addition, Palaplast’s widely used in the region microsprinkler “Pal Stable Sprayer” with the new improved design was presented as well as the large caliber u-PVC ball valves (threaded and solvent gluing).

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Once again the exceptional EIMA exhibition for 2022 has come to an end.

We would like to thank everyone who visited and shared with us suggestions and solutions for irrigation and proper water management.

We are looking forward to EIMA 2024.

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5O years have passed since the first summit for the protection of our planet in Stockholm, Sweden. Despite the undeniable efforts and collaborative actions from 1972, history is repeating itself and the message ‘OnlyOneEarth’ from the first summit now reiterates much stronger.

Our planet is emitting S.O.S. in all areas, such as climate change, biodiversity, loss of species (flora and fauna) and pollution in soil, water and air.

The human dependence on the available resources of the planet in recent years is more intense than ever and necessitates a global awareness campaign for the implementation of actions with individual and collective responsibility.

This year, the UN is encouraging us to go out into nature and experience the benefits in order to understand the necessity to protect the Earth.

After all, there is ΟnlyΟneEarth

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HEAT AND PLANTS: How can we take care of our plants in high temperatures?

Having entered July, in the heart of summer, high temperatures, heat waves, hot winds and long hours of exposure to intense sunlight are a common phenomenon that can cause irreparable damage to our plants and flowers. The sun, a necessary component of photosynthesis, contributes to the ripening and timely harvesting of many fruits and vegetables, but can also cause them damage, with excessive levels of exposure as during the summer months.

There are several thermophilic plant species, such as cacti and succulents – representative of desert vegetation – that have the characteristics to withstand the stress of very high temperatures of up to 60⁰C, while for short -term exposure up to 70⁰C. Furthermore, plants have the suitable mechanisms that allow them to adapt to higher temperatures as the seasons change. Nevertheless, when very early heat waves occur, significant damages can be incurred to plants that are unprepared.

Some of the symptoms from high temperatures are:

• Plant withering – generally a picture of weakness, due to loss of moisture of the plant.
• Leaves turn yellow (usually the lower leaves first, which then turn brown).
• Burns on leaves and fruits of plants, which appear as white spots on them, especially due to midday watering.
• Fall of part of the leaves, flowers and their fruits (the plants water saving mechanism to retain moisture).
• Finally, it is worth noting the presence of many insects and diseases during the summer, which parasitize the already diseased plants.

In order to keep our plants healthy and full of life in the face of adverse conditions of heat, sunlight and very high summer temperatures, we will need to take certain actions, such as proper watering. This should ideally be done early in the morning (so that the plant has the required humidity to cope with the difficult hot hours) or late at dusk. Watering at noon should be avoided, as high humidity and high temperatures will create ideal conditions for the growth of many fungi. Moreover, if water drops fall on leaves or fruits, they can easily cause sunburn in those hours. It is preferred to water with a small amount of water at frequent intervals (preferably daily), as the conditions of excessive humidity can cause rot at the root of the plants, the fall of leaves and flowers as well as promote the development of diseases and fungi.

For proper watering of plants during the summer, whether it is a few pot-plants on the balcony or an entire garden or field, using an automatic watering system is the most practical way to have complete control over the frequency and amount of water provided. The advantages of an automatic irrigation system are multiple, and naming just a few:

1. Irrigation with the right amount of water, making significant savings of this valuable resource, and also economy.
2. Watering of plants at selected points, in order to avoid the development of fungal diseases when watering is done over them, and also limiting the growth of weeds around the plants.
3. Saving valuable time which can be spent on other cultivation work, and of course it is possible to provide consistent irrigation to the plants even when we are absent.

Palaplast has a wide range of products that can be used to install a reliable and efficient automatic watering system from its simplest form on a balcony with pot-plants to the most complex in a productive field: irrigation pipes LDPE, driplines, tap timers & battery or electrically operated controllers,   garden fittings, indented & dripline fittings, filters e.t.c.

Further protection of plants and crops during the heat wave, can be achieved with: the shading of plants, avoiding of fertilization (especially with ammonia fertilizers or manure that causes significant stress on plants), proper pruning and care of plants (to improve ventilation), foliage spraying using ecological solutions (such as kaolin or zeolite solution), ground covering (with materials such as pebbles, pine bark, etc.), water – spraying the leaves of plants (for indoor plants), use of horticultural perlite etc.

In conclusion, we should remember that the sun is vitally important for everyone and everything, but must be taken to advantage with care.

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Difficult weather conditions, especially severe winters in the northern hemisphere, result in inappropriate conditions for the growth and the production of horticultural, floricultural and new plants (nurseries). It is therefore imperative to ensure the right conditions for the development of plants and vegetables, the design, supply and installation of the appropriate equipment for a productive/successful greenhouse.

The key factors that must be taken into consideration for designing a heating schedule for greenhouses are based on the calories required and the calculation of the hydraulic parameters in order to correctly determine the characteristics and selection of a suitable boiler and water pump.

Essential criteria affecting the calories required:

1. Type of greenhouse Arched or Gable, single or multiple and its dimensions.
2. Material covering the greenhouse.
3. Greenhouse age (New or Old).
4. Temperature of heating water.
5. Internal temperature of greenhouse.
6. Minimum external temperature of greenhouse.

Essential criteria affecting the hydraulic parameters required:

1. The type and diameter of the pipe that will radiate heat within the greenhouse. A specific class of pipe which Palaplast has proceeded in manufacturing, polyethylene 3^rd generation, corrugated (Spiral) pipe, to increase the heating surface, available diameters 25mm & 28mm GEOPAL .
2. The type and diameter of the primary water pipe from the boiler to the greenhouse and if necessary a secondary pipe, essentially polyethylene 3^rd generation 16 atmospheres, category/type HYDROPAL.
3. The position of the boiler in relation to the location of greenhouse.

Of the three afore mentioned factors and specifically the first relating to the diameter of the corrugated pipe GEOPAL determines the performance of w/h, always in relation to the average temperature of the water circulating within the pipe as well as the minimum external temperature of the greenhouse.

To achieve a comprehensive network a series of additional components are also required:

1. Compression fittings for connections to and between primary and secondary pipes.
2. Saddles 16 ATM with bolts, suitable for potable water.
3. Ball valves ¾”, fittings Geopal namely Male Connections ¾’’ and Quick Couplings 25mm or 28mm as well as Spacers .
4. Fittings required for the maintenance and/or construction of a new greenhouse such as Clips ½” – ¾” and 1” .

The correct temperature within a greenhouse is imperative for the growth and quality of products.

Increasing our production and/or reducing fuel consumption are just some of the benefits a proper and extensive greenhouse heating schedule provides.

greenhouse heating

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