R. C. Hochmuth¹, L. L. Davis¹, W. L. Laughlin¹, E. H. Simonne², and R. K. Sprenkel³
University of Florida / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
¹North Florida Res. & Educ. Center – Suwannee Valley, 7580 County Rd 136, Live Oak, FL 32060
²Horticultural Sciences Department, PO Box 110690, Gainesville, FL 32611-0690
³North Florida Research & Education Center – Quincy, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL 32351-5684

Abstract: Greenhouse herb production has increased in Florida from near zero acres in 1990 to 19 acres in 2001. In addition to increased demand for fresh cut herbs in the past ten years, the demand for organic herbs has also increased. Organic production has increased by about 20% annually for the past several years. Combining Florida greenhouse hydroponic and organic production methods together would allow for the production of high quality organic herbs due to the increased chance of controlling pests without chemicals in a controlled greenhouse environment. This study was conducted to evaluate organic nutrient sources and programs when using a soilless culture system in plastic pots. Production of basil, chives, cilantro, dill, spearmint, and oregano was evaluated using Fertrell (4-2-4: N-P2O5-K2O), or Nature Safe (8-5-5: N-P2O5-K2O) organic fertilizers applied to the top of the pots filled with a soilless media approved for certified organic production. These treatments were compared to the production of herbs using a standard conventional hydroponic nutrient solution. Each nutrient treatment was also evaluated with or without an additional organic fish fertilizer solution, Neptune’s Harvest Fish Fertilizer (2-4-1: N-P2O5-K2O). The conventional hydroponic nutrient solution produced significantly higher yield in all herbs tested, except spearmint where the yields were similar. The addition of Neptune’s Harvest Fish Fertilizer had practically no effect on nearly all of the yield parameters of any of the six herbs evaluated in this test.

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