The preparation and handling of the plants for delivery or moving to their final position.
- Water content and EC: when delivering the plants the target water content should be 50% to 60% in the cubes. If the cubes are too wet there is more chance of damage. In most cases it is possible to water for the last time 2 to 3 days before delivery. Target level of the EC in the cube is around 4.
- Selection: selection should be by size into 3. Separate the smaller plants, plants with abnormal heads and the ones where the heads have split too early.
- Handling: make sure you compress the cubes as little as possible and handle carefully. This is also to avoid root damage and secondary infection.
- Keep the time between picking up from propagation and planting out in the greenhouse as short as possible.
- Size and packing: plant selection is best done before loading the truck.
- Hygiene: always use clean trays and trolleys. Trays and trolleys must be washed and disinfected before use. Always wash before disinfection, otherwise disinfection won't work. Also disinfect the truck that is transporting the plants.
- The temperature of the delivery truck is important especially if the plants spend a long time in it. This should be at 19 to 20 °C.