Issuu

Reality check What growers must ask before committing to new lights | 22

More light, new rules Growers share LED challenges and operational pivots | 26

Gentler aphid control Effective options that keep beneficials working | 32

OCTOBER 2026

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CONTENTS

PHOTO: MOHYUDDIN MIRZA

October 2026

Vol.46, Issue 7

Growth starts below

Small shifts in pH, EC, and moisture can make or break crop performance. Editorial

Industry News

Guidance for growth 18 Profiling She Grows honouree Leanna James.

32 PHOTO: AZIMOVE SULTHANA

Beyond the specs 22 How to evaluate LEDs by crop response, climate impact and ROI. Events

Inside View

PHOTO: GREENHOUSE CANADA

14 26 Root chemistry

ON THE COVER Inside one of GoodLeaf Farms’ vertical microgreen farms. READ MORE on Page 8. Photo courtesy GoodLeaf Farms.

Small shifts in pH, EC, and moisture can make or break crop performance.

BY MOHYUDDIN MIRZA

More light, new rules Growers share climate surprises and operational pivots that came with LEDs. BY GREENHOUSE CANADA

32 Control with care Protecting beneficial parasitoids while managing aphid pressure.

BY AZIMOVE SULTHANA

FROM THE EDITOR

GREENHOUSE CANADA is the only national business magazine published exclusively for the commercial greenhouse grower in Canada.

AMY KOUNIAKIS

October 2026 - Volume 46, No. 7

Making the case for clarity Over the past several months, I’ve noticed across conversations with growers, researchers, and suppliers, one theme keeps surfacing: the greenhouse sector is entering a phase where clarity matters more than ever. Clarity when it comes to best management practices; lighting and climate control, about pests, about what data actually means for production. Our coverage this month reflects that shift. Whether it’s the chemistry at the root, the realities of LED performance, or the evolving strategies behind greens grown in vertical farms, growers are asking sharper questions and expecting practical answers. As our feature on root‑zone management shows, this area of production responds, sometimes dramatically, to small shifts in water

The results from our lighting survey and the discussion in our recent webinar reinforce this. Growers aren’t confused about LEDs; they’re discerning. They want to understand why two fixtures with similar specs can produce different outcomes. And they want suppliers to meet them where they are; in the real greenhouse, not the theoretical one. Clarity also drives our look at GoodLeaf, a company that continues to refine what controlled‑environment greens can be in Canada. GoodLeaf isn’t trying to scale just for the sake of it. They follow the crop’s cues, make adjustments when the plants ask for them, and keep the environment steady. In a sector with such tight margins and high expectations, that kind of steady, intentional — and now proven approach — will set compaines apart.

‘That kind of intentional approach will set companies apart.’ chemistry and medium behaviour. In this issue, growers can find insight on how to keep roots in balance when every crop, medium, and climate zone behaves differently. That same appetite for practical, crop‑level insight is reshaping the lighting conversation. Our LED reality check piece doesn’t argue for or against LEDs as growers have already made up their minds about the technology’s place in modern production. Instead, it asks a more useful question: What do LEDs really do in practice? Not in lab trials or in marketing campaigns, but in greenhouses where spectrum interacts with climate, heat load impacts irrigation, and fixture placement determines whether a crop thrives or stalls. 4 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

This focus on practical clarity also runs through our She Grows honouree profile this month. Leanna James brings a grounded, grower‑first perspective to leadership; one that has been shaped by real production pressures and real wins. And then we offer a research piece on aphids; a reminder that even the smallest pests demand clear thinking. Aphids aren’t new, but the pressures growers face around labour, climate variability, and biological control adoption mean the old playbook doesn’t always hold. Across all these stories, one thing is clear: growers are pushing for practical answers that help them make better decisions in real time. We hope you find some of those answers in the pages of this issue.

Reader Service Print and digital subscription inquiries or changes, please contact Angelita Potal, Customer Service Tel: 416-510-5113 Email: apotal@annexbusinessmedia.com Mail: 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 Editor AMY KOUNIAKIS akouniakis@annexbusinessmedia.com 519.429.5203 Publisher NASHELLE BARSKY nbarsky@annexbusinessmedia.com 905.431.8892 Account Coordinator KATHRYN NYENHUIS knyenhuis@annexbusinessmedia.com 416.510.6753 Audience Development Manager SHAWN ARUL sarul@annexbusinessmedia.com 416.510.5181 Group Publisher & VP, Content Strategy MICHELLE BERTHOLET mbertholet@annexbusinessmedia.com CEO SCOTT JAMIESON sjamieson@annexbusinessmedia.com Media Designer BROOKE SHAW Publication Mail Agreement #40065710 Printed in Canada ISSN 0712-4996 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada - 1 Year $41.37; Single $6.00 (plus applicable taxes) U.S.A. - 1 Year $94.41 CAD Annex Privacy Officer Privacy@annexbusinessmedia.com Tel: 800-668-2374 GST - #867172652RT0001 Occasionally, Greenhouse Canada will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above. No part of the editorial content of this publication may be reprinted without the publisher’s written permission. ©2026 Annex Business Media. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Such approval does not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised.

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INDUSTRY NEWS greenhousecanada.com

AAFC funds target resilience for floriculture sector Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada (AAFC) will provide up to $470,030 to Flowers Canada Growers (FCG) for the next phase of its ‘Overcoming Barriers to Trade and Growing the Market for Canadian Floriculture’ project, aimed at strengthening export growth and expanding domestic opportunities for Canadian flower producers. An FCG press release issued in August outlined how the funding, delivered through the AgriMarketing Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership, will support work to diversify export markets, safeguard access to

existing ones and build new demand at home. “With this new funding, Flowers Canada Growers will explore export markets beyond our largest trading partner: the United States,” said FCG president, Jan VanZanten, in the release. FCG will contribute matching funds, bringing the two‑year project total to $940,060. Executive director Andrew Morse added that growers need stability as they plan for expansion: “We’re hopeful this project can give flower growers the certainty they need to continue that growth.” (Source: Flowers Canada Growers)

RED SUN FARMS EMPLOYEE PRODUCE BOX FUNDRAISER REACHES NEW HEIGHTS Red Sun Farms has hit a new milestone in its long-running employee produce box program, donating a record $10,660 to Make-A-Wish Canada this year. In a recent press release, the Kingsville‑based producer says the initiative, which was originally launched as a way to share fresh vegetables with staff, has

evolved into a meaningful annual fundraiser supporting children with critical illnesses. Employees receive boxes of greenhousegrown produce in exchange for a small donation, with all proceeds directed to the Make-A-Wish foundation. According to the company, participation has continued to climb

OGVG welcomes new member to data team Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) has appointed Aron Kavanagh, as the association’s new Junior Data Integrity Analyst. Kavanagh will support data collection, validation, and reporting across the sector, strengthening OGVG’s ability to deliver accurate and timely industry intelligence to growers, stakeholders, and government partners, the association said in announcing his appointment. Kavanagh, a recent MBA graduate from the University of Windsor, brings experience in data analysis, financial modelling, market research, workflow automation, and data visualization. Executive director Richard Lee said: “Aron brings a unique combination of analytical expertise, technical capability, and curiosity that will strengthen our ability to collect, interpret, and communicate information that matters to our members.” (Source: OGVG, LinkedIn) 6 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

year-over-year. “Our team continues to amaze me with their generosity and commitment,” said Red Sun president, Jim DiMenna, in the release. “Supporting Make-AWish Canada is deeply meaningful to all of us… something as simple as sharing the fresh produce we grow can come together to create such

a positive impact in our community.” Red Sun Farms, one of North America’s largest vertically integrated greenhouse operations, says it’s proud of the employees who continue to drive the program’s success and grateful for the opportunity to support the organization’s work across Canada. Source: Red Sun Farms)

BY THE NUMBERS

Source: ‘Real GDP Rebounds in Second Quarter;’ Canadian Economics, August 2026

Total employment increased by

Canada’s GDP rose by

3.3 per cent in Q2 2026

181,000 positions between April and July 2026

Exports increased by 3.6 per cent in Q2

October 2026 - GREENHOUSE CANADA 7

NEW HEIGHTS

GoodLeaf charts new path for vertical farming

BY AMY KOUNIAKIS BELOW Microgreens inside one of GoodLeaf’s farms. The crop has driven the company’s profitability.

8 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

Vertical farming has waited a long time for a win. This summer, GoodLeaf Farms delivered one: reaching profitability across all its facilities and marking a turning point for Canada’s controlled‑environment sector at a moment when reliable, Canadian‑grown supply has never mattered more. Based in Guelph, ON, with vertically integrated indoor farms in Ontario, Québec and Alberta, GoodLeaf announced the milestone after years of refining its model and scaling its national footprint. In what is a first for the vertical farming industry in North America, this achievement signals a much-anticipated proof point: this model can operate at commercial scale and deliver consistent margins while meeting rising demand for Canadiangrown greens year-round. It also reinforces Canada’s reputation as a leader in the adoption and optimization of modern indoor farming practices. WRITING THE PLAYBOOK As GoodLeaf CEO Andy O’Brien puts it: “There is no playbook for this sector.” In fact, it was a challenge that O’Brien, a 30-year veteran of the food industry who has worked on some of the world’s most recognizable consumer brands, was daunted by. “I got to be honest with you: I was kind of scared,” O’Brien recalls of when he was first

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ABOVE AND RIGHT GoodLeaf Farms has become a leading household brand in Canadian grocery stores. Under the leadership of CEO Andy O’Brien (right), the company has achieved profitability at all of its vertical farm sites in Ontario, Québec and Alberta.

“I got to be honest with you: I was kind of scared.”

10 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

approached in 2024 about an opportunity with GoodLeaf. “The sector itself had struggled. Companies with huge valuations were going bankrupt. They just hadn’t been able to figure out a business model that worked.” Nonetheless, O’Brien was intrigued and when he dug into the company’s history, operations and product lines, he saw the potential and developed a five-year plan, which ultimately led to his current appointment. Under O’Brien’s leadership, the company has doubled down on microgreens — a crop category where vertical farming’s precision, consistency and food‑safety advantages translate directly into consumer value — and built a national brand around freshness, convenience and Canadian provenance. “I did a reorganisation of the company a couple of months after I joined, which focused on rebuilding a different kind of skill set for the company,” he said, emphasizing that his approach focused on building GoodLeaf into a household brand. With standardized farm designs, unified KPIs across all facilities, and a

focus on margins and repeat purchase rates, GoodLeaf set out to prove that vertical farming can succeed when it behaves less like a tech startup and more like a modern food company. “We wanted to make sure we were growing a profitable business — not a technology company, not an entrepreneurial company, not a sustainable company,” O’Brien said. “Don’t get me wrong, we ought to be sustainable, but we needed a viable business model.” Part of that process involved a “cull” to their existing product line

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reenhouse work moves fast, and the margin for error can be small when workers are climbing, lifting and working around powered equipment. In tasks like vine pulling, the risks can be significant. “Contact with moving parts and falls are resulting in critical injuries and even fatalities. So, the severity is quite high,” says Kristin Hoffman, Senior Sector Specialist, Agriculture with WSPS.

High-risk tasks come into focus Inspectors are paying close attention to scissor carts, vine-pulling machines, and vine-shredding machines, familiar tools in greenhouse production, but ones that can create serious hazards when not used as intended. “We’ve heard of some growers take the scissor cart off the heating pipe rails and use it as a platform for maintenance work. This is not what it was intended for,” says Jay Remsik, Health and Safety Consultant with WSPS. “They are not designed to maintain stability when used off the rails,” Kristin adds. “These are narrow carts meant to hold one person. If more than one person is on the platform as it goes up, it could tip over, causing those workers to fall and even get crushed by the equipment.” Vine-pulling and vine-shredding machines bring entanglement and amputation risks. “Basically, vine-pulling machines are rotating shafts and vineshredding machines are exposed augers,” says Jay. “If a worker were to troubleshoot running equipment without locking it out, they could lose a finger, hand, arm, or worse.” He recommends using a dedicated crew with the right training and experience. Some greenhouse operators contract out tear-out work at the end of the season but responsibility does not end there. Operators are still responsible for verifying that the workers coming in have completed the required training.

A chance to take stock Preparing for an inspection is a chance to take stock of how work is actually being done, if equipment is being used as intended, and whether the right controls are in place. Kristin says guarding is especially important on vine-pulling and vine-shredding machines. “We know that sometimes guards are removed from vine-pulling and vine-shredding machines because they make it more difficult to position the machine or they impede the flow of waste product,” she says. The solution is to use guards that are specifically designed for the machine. If a machine jams, workers should stop it, lock out the power source, and follow a safe work procedure before clearing the obstruction. “Lockout/tagout is crucial. Ensuring the hazardous energy is safely controlled and locked out will prevent the machine from starting up unexpectedly,” Kristin says.

WSPS support WSPS can provide tangible support to strengthen workplace safety. To help the sector better understand emerging risks, WSPS will launch a Risk Assessment project in the greenhouse sector this fall and winter. By engaging front-line workers, supervisors, and employers, the project will identify top risks and support the development of practical, real-world solutions to help protect workers. Reach out to rarca@wsps.ca to get involved. Visit WSPS at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference for more information or explore greenhouse safety resources at wsps.ca.

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and focusing exclusively on microgreens because “that’s the one product that we know we do better than anybody else in North America,” O’Brien says. He adds that with a repeat-purchase rate of around 70 per cent, their appeal is undeniable. “Once people try them, they come back,” he said. “It’s freshness, it’s convenience, it’s Canadian — that matters.” The crop’s quick turnaround time and increasing consumer appetite for nutrientdense greens made it a practical and strategically sound focus for the company. The first real sign of momentum arrived in early 2025, when shifting trade conditions and tightening supply chains triggered a sudden surge in demand for Canadian‑grown greens. “We really didn’t see much happening

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MEDIUM in motion

Root-zone chemistry and irrigation strategy determine whether a crop thrives or stalls BY JASHANDEEP SINGH, VIKRANT DHAWAN AND MOHYUDDIN MIRZA

While the physical structure of a growing medium sets the stage for healthy roots, the story doesn’t end there. Once plants begin to grow, the root zone becomes a dynamic environment where water, nutrients, salts, and acidity constantly shift. Managing pH, EC, and irrigation ensures that the medium you’ve chosen continues to support strong, balanced growth. In Part 2 of our series, we explore how chemistry and irrigation interact with the substrate and how growers

can keep the root zone stable throughout the crop cycle. ROOT ZONE PH AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY (EC) Selecting the right growing medium is only part of successful crop production. Equally important is maintaining the correct pH and electrical conductivity (EC) within the root zone. Even a growing medium with excellent water-holding capacity and air-filled porosity cannot support

ABOVE A crop of well-managed cocktail tomatoes. For most crops grown in soilless media, a root-zone pH between 5.8 and 6.3 provides good nutrient availability but can vary depending on the crop and production system.

14 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

healthy plant growth if the pH or EC is outside the optimal range. ROLE OF PH IN NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY The pH of a growing medium indicates whether it is acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Although pH does not directly supply nutrients to plants, it determines how easily roots can absorb them. When the pH is outside the recommended range, some nutrients become less available, even if they are present in sufficient quantities. For example, if the pH is too high, micronutrients such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) become less available, often causing young leaves to turn yellow (chlorosis). On the other hand, if the pH is too low, nutrients such as calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) may become deficient, while certain elements can reach toxic levels and damage plant roots. For most greenhouse crops grown in soilless media, a root-zone pH between 5.8 and 6.3 provides good nutrient availability. However, the ideal range may vary slightly depending on the crop and production system. UNDERSTANDING EC Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a measure of the total concentration of dissolved salts in the growing medium or nutrient solution. Since dissolved fertilizers contain charged ions, the EC gives an indication of how much fertilizer is available to the plant. A higher EC generally means a higher concentration of dissolved nutrients, while a lower EC indicates fewer available nutrients. It is important to remember that EC measures the quantity of dissolved salts, not the balance of individual nutrients. Therefore, two nutrient solutions may have the same EC but contain very different nutrient compositions.

cause wilting, and reduce plant health. This condition is commonly referred to as salt stress. Routine monitoring allows growers to identify developing problems before crop quality or yield is affected. MONITORING ROOT-ZONE PH AND EC Because pH and EC change over time as plants absorb nutrients and irrigation water passes through the growing medium, they should be monitored

regularly. Measuring both the nutrient solution and the runoff provides valuable information about root-zone conditions. If runoff EC continues to rise, salts may be accumulating within the growing medium, indicating that irrigation or fertilizer management should be adjusted. Likewise, changes in runoff pH can signal nutrient imbalances before visible symptoms appear. Maintaining appropriate pH and EC is creating a stable root-zone environment

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IMPORTANCE OF EC IN ROOT-ZONE MANAGEMENT Maintaining the correct EC is essential for healthy plant growth. If the EC is too low, plants may not receive enough nutrients, leading to slow growth, pale leaves, and reduced yields. If the EC is too high, excessive salts accumulate around the roots, making it more difficult for plants to absorb water. This can slow growth,

GH_Belchim_Oct26_CSA.indd 1

October 2026 - GREENHOUSE CANADA 15 2026-08-31 1:38 PM

CHALLENGE

POSSIBLE CAUSE

PRACTICAL SOLUTION

Plants wilt even though the growing medium is moist

High EC due to salt accumulation

Apply a leaching irrigation, reduce fertilizer concentration

Growing medium dries too quickly

Low water-holding capacity or insufficient irrigation

Increase irrigation frequency or use a growing medium with greater water-holding capacity.

High runoff EC

Salt accumulation

Periodically apply sufficient leaching to remove excess salts and adjust fertilizer application if required.

Low runoff EC

Insufficient fertilizer

Adjust fertilizer concentration to meet crop requirements.

High root-zone pH

High alkalinity irrigation water or inadequate acidification

Use acid-forming fertilizers and regularly monitor irrigation water alkalinity.

Low root-zone pH

Excessive acid application or prolonged use of acid-forming fertilizers

Reduce acid application and, if needed, use more basic fertilizers to gradually increase pH.

where nutrients remain available, roots stay healthy, and plants can grow to their full potential. When combined with proper irrigation and a well-balanced growing medium, careful pH and EC management plays a major role in achieving consistent crop growth and high yields. IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT FOR ROOT-ZONE HEALTH The primary goal of irrigation is not simply to supply water

to the plant but to maintain a healthy root-zone environment where water, oxygen, and nutrients remain in balance. Irrigation and growing media should always be considered together because each directly influences the other. After each irrigation event, the growing medium should contain enough moisture to support plant growth while still leaving adequate air-filled pore space for root respiration. The number of irrigations, the timing of irrigation, and the duration of each irrigation are very important in greenhouse cultivation. These factors vary depending on the plant’s growth stage, crop type, growing medium, and environmental conditions. Young plants require less water and shorter irrigation cycles because their root systems are small. As plants grow larger, they need more frequent and longer irrigations to meet their increasing water demand. Different crops also have different water requirements. For example, leafy vegetables generally

ABOVE Example of finshed products in a well-managed soilless growing medium. Growers are advised to regularly monitor both the nutrient solution and runoff pH and EC of their crops.

16 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026 GH_MechaTronix _Oct26_CSA.indd 1

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require more frequent irrigation than drought-tolerant plants. The type of growing medium also affects irrigation scheduling. Growing media with high water-holding capacity, such as coco coir or peat moss, retain water for longer and require less frequent irrigation. In contrast, growing media with high air-filled porosity, such as perlite, drain quickly and may need more frequent irrigation. Environmental conditions also play a major role. On hot, sunny, and windy days, plants lose more water through transpiration and require more frequent irrigation. On cool or cloudy days, water use is lower, so fewer irrigation events are needed. INTEGRATING GROWING MEDIA, IRRIGATION, PH AND EC MANAGEMENT Growing media, irrigation, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) work together to create a healthy root-zone environment. Even the best growing medium cannot support healthy plant growth if irrigation is poorly managed. Likewise, irrigation practices must be adjusted according to the physical properties of the growing medium. A common mistake in greenhouse production is reducing irrigation frequency simply because a growing medium has a high water-holding capacity. For example, coco coir can retain large amounts of both water and dissolved nutrients. Since the growing medium remains moist for longer, it may seem logical to irrigate less frequently. However, reducing irrigation without maintaining adequate leaching can lead to an unexpected problem. With less runoff, fertilizer salts are not flushed from the root zone and gradually accumulate as plants absorb water. This increases the root-zone EC, making it more difficult for roots to absorb water and nutrients, even though the growing medium still appears moist. Over time, salt accumulation can reduce plant growth and increase the risk of nutrient imbalances. Therefore, irrigation decisions should not be based only on how long the growing medium stays wet. They should also consider leaching, runoff, salt management, and regular monitoring of pH and EC to maintain a healthy root-zone environment. To maintain healthy roots, growers

should regularly monitor both the nutrient solution and runoff pH and EC. Rising runoff EC often indicates salt accumulation, while changes in runoff pH can signal nutrient imbalances before visible symptoms appear. CONCLUSION Every crop has different needs, so there is no one growing medium that works best for all plants. The key is to understand your crop and create the right root environment. With the right

growing medium and proper irrigation management, growers can produce healthier plants and achieve more consistent yields. Jashandeep Singh (Jdeep@gmtn.ca) is an assistant grower at Green Mountain Health Alliance (GMTN) greenhouse facility at Kaleden. BC. Vikrant Dhawan (vdhawan@ gmtn.ca) is a plant scientist, master grower at GMTN. Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza is an industry consultant in Alberta and accepts questions at drmirzaconsultants@gmail.com.

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Centred on people and plants She Grows: Leanna James leads with care, curiosity, and a greenhouse instinct that grows crops and confidence BY AMY KOUNIAKIS AND JILL FILMER

When Leanna James talks about greenhouse growing, she doesn’t start with technology, climate strategy or production targets. She starts with plants. “Plants always have to come first,” she said. “That’s what gets us all through our day.” It’s a deceptively simple philosophy, one that has guided her through 13 years at Enviro Fresh Produce (Sunset) in Sombra, ON, where she now serves as Head Grower and leads both the

grow teams and labour teams responsible for the company’s grape tomato production. James is also among the first She Grows cohort, a group chosen to highlight women whose work is moving Canadian horticulture forward. Her thirteen years of hands‑on growing, people‑focused leadership, and dedication to mentoring new growers set her apart as a quiet force within the industry. That blend of experience and mentorship shows

ABOVE Leanna James is pictured at Envirofresh Produce Inc. in Sombra, ON, where she has worked in various roles for more than 13 years. Today, she is head grower. 18 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

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October 2026 - GREENHOUSE CANADA 19

up in the way she moves through her workday, which can be anything but predictable. Her days rarely look the same. Spring mornings might be spent watching vents and adjusting climate strategies, while afternoons shift toward people-focused problem solving or equipment troubleshooting. “There’s no typical day,” she said. “One day it’s soft skills, one day it’s hard technical skills. You get to work with really diverse populations, and it’s just really interesting.” That blend of complexity and variety is exactly what drew her to horticulture in the first place. WHERE IT ALL STARTED James didn’t grow up expecting to work in a greenhouse. In fact, she discovered the field almost by accident. While taking a mix of courses in college, she enrolled in a horticulture class and something just clicked. “I went to that course all the time. I loved it,” she recalls. That enthusiasm led her to Niagara College, where she first enrolled in horticultural technician studies before switching into the greenhouse technician program. The shift changed her trajectory. She moved from Hamilton to Niagara, completed her training, and stepped directly into a role at Enviro Fresh. She’s been there ever since. CREDIBILITY CURVE What’s kept her in the industry is the constant challenge and the constant learning. “I love that it’s different all the time,” she says. “It gives you so many different avenues to learn about.” That curiosity has helped inform her leadership style, especially as she’s taken on more responsibility within the operation. Early in her career, she faced the same challenge many young growers do: building credibility. “When you’re new, you’re usually taking over for someone who’s been there for a long time,” she says. “If you don’t have a ton of experience, it can be hard to build that momentum.” Rather than shy away from that challenge, James took the opportunity to lean into it. She focused on asking better questions, listening closely, and developing the soft skills that help teams thrive. Today, mentoring new growers is one of the most meaningful parts of her work. “I try to think about the things where I really struggled, or where I would have preferred more support,” she said. “Usually, what people need isn’t the first thing they say to you. You have to dig a little to find out how you can actually help them.” PEOPLE FIRST That people-first approach has made her a celebrated team member at Enviro Fresh and has earned her recognition beyond it. In 2021, James was named one of Greenhouse Canada’s Top 4 Under 40, an honour she still speaks about with pride. But her proudest moments aren’t awards. They’re the small, everyday wins: watching someone apply a skill she taught them, seeing a new grower gain confidence, or helping a team member navigate a challenge they once found overwhelming. “When I can give someone a skill that helps them, and then 20 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

see them use it later, that’s my absolute favourite,” she said. BEYOND THE GLASS Her leadership extends beyond the greenhouse. At home, James is building what she affectionately calls an ‘edible forest’ -- a backyard oasis filled with fruit trees, berries, and any edible plant she can get her hands on. “Anytime I see a plant I don’t have, I need it,” she jokes. “Same thing with seeds. It’s not a big area, but when you buy seeds, you obviously need enough for a farm—even if you don’t have one.” Gardening outside the greenhouse gives her a different kind of joy, one rooted in exploration rather than production. It’s a space where she can recharge, spend time with her husband and daughter, and reconnect with the reasons she fell in love with growing in the first place. For James, growing, whether personally or professionally, means stepping outside your comfort zone. “Just try some new things, even if it’s scary,” she says. It’s advice she gives to young women considering a career in horticulture, and it’s advice she’s lived herself. She believes the industry is full of opportunity, especially for those willing to experiment, ask questions, and learn from both successes and mistakes. “Skills you think won’t matter, or hobbies you think aren’t relevant, really help you out in different spots,” she said. “Just give it a go. Try everything you can and see where it takes you.” LEADERSHIP LEGACY Looking ahead, James hopes her legacy will be measured in people, not production numbers. “I want to help build other leaders,” she said. “Later on, I want to be able to say, ‘There’s someone I helped.’” She also believes the industry can better support the next generation of women by valuing soft skills as much as technical ones. “Sometimes softer skills aren’t utilized as much,” she said. “Incorporating different managing styles and communication approaches into day-to-day work could really help.” Her perspective reflects a broader shift happening across Canadian horticulture and one that She Grows aims to spotlight. Women like James are redefining what leadership looks like in the greenhouse: collaborative, curious, empathetic, and deeply committed to helping others succeed. Thirteen years into her career, James still finds joy in the daily work of growing grape tomatoes. But the impact she’s making stretches far beyond the crop. Through her mentorship, her adaptability, and her belief in the power of soft skills, she’s helping shape the future of the industry, one grower at a time.

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October 2026 - GREENHOUSE CANADA 21

PHOTO: SIMONSKAFAR/GETTY

LED reality check Why growers should look beyond fixture claims BY DR. BO-SEN WU

For many greenhouse growers, LED lighting is no longer just a technology to watch. Aging HPS systems, changing fixture availability, energy costs and incentive programs are pushing more operations to seriously explore LED replacement. That does not make the decision simple. The market is full of claims about fixture efficacy, optimized spectra, crop-specific light recipes, dynamic control and short payback periods. Many of those claims can be technically correct under the conditions in which they were generated. The bigger question is whether the same result will occur in your greenhouse.

The LED conversation therefore needs to move from ‘What does the vendor claim?’ to ‘What will this lighting system actually do for my crop, my greenhouse and my business?’ BEYOND THE SPEC SHEET Fixture specifications help compare electrical power, photon output, efficacy, spectrum and expected lifetime. But they are inputs to a decision, not the outcome. A fixture with an impressive efficacy number does not automatically produce the highest crop yield. Blue LED packages, for example,

ABOVE When converting greenhouse lighting to LED technology, growers need to look beyond vendor claims and consider how fixtures will interact with the conditions and crops in your greenhouse. 22 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

can achieve high electrical conversion efficiency, but blue photons carry more energy than red photons, so their photon efficacy is generally lower. High blue fractions can also reduce leaf expansion or biomass in some crops and environments. An efficient diode is therefore not automatically the most productive lighting strategy. The same caution applies to crop trials and light recipes. A spectrum that performs well for one cultivar, growth stage or research environment may respond differently under another combination of sunlight, temperature, CO2, humidity and crop management. Vendor data are useful but growers should still ask how a claim was measured, under what conditions, on which crop, and whether those conditions resemble their own facility.

conclude that red and blue must always be the “best” wavelengths. Chlorophyll absorption is only one part of the story. Crop performance also depends on whole-leaf photosynthesis, photoreceptors, leaf anatomy, morphology and how light moves through plant tissue. A leaf is not a flat chlorophyll detector. Photons can be absorbed, reflected, transmitted and scattered inside the leaf. Light that is less strongly absorbed at the surface can travel farther through internal

tissues, increasing its opportunity to interact with photosynthetic cells. Amber light around 595 nm is one example: despite not sitting at the classic chlorophyll absorption peaks, studies have reported strong photosynthetic and biomass responses in tomato. A pigment absorption chart therefore cannot, by itself, tell a grower what spectrum will perform best at crop level. CATCHING THE WAVELENGTH A fixture sold with a particular peak

ONE CONNECTED ECOSYSTEM.

PPFD: SIMPLE BUT LIMITED Pioneering plant photobiology researcher Keith McCree’s action-spectrum work helped establish the practical basis for photon-based measurement in the 400–700 nm photosynthetically active radiation, or PAR, range. That framework became fundamental to measurements such as PPFD. PPFD is practical because it counts photons between 400 and 700 nm equally. But plants do not necessarily respond equally to every wavelength. Two fixtures can therefore deliver the same PPFD with different spectra and potentially different effects on photosynthesis, morphology, flowering, crop quality or canopy development. Wavelengths outside traditional PAR, including far-red, can also influence crop responses. This does not mean PPFD is wrong. It means growers need to understand what the number does — and does not — describe. Measurement quality matters too. Quantum sensors have spectralresponse characteristics of their own and calibration can affect readings when the measured spectrum differs substantially from the calibration source. Under narrow-band or unusual LED spectra, spectral measurement may be more informative than a single PPFD value. THE COMPLEX SPECTRUM Another common shortcut is to look at a chlorophyll absorption chart and

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October 2026 - GREENHOUSE CANADA 23 2026-09-08 11:10 AM

TOP TO BOTTOM Fixtures with an impressive efficacy number do not always produce the highest crop yield. LEDs should be evaluated on crop response, system fit and vendor support.

wavelength does not always deliver exactly that spectrum under every operating condition. LED output can shift with diode binning, drive current, junction temperature and thermal management. Consistency over time also matters. Manufacturers can revise diode generations or component mixes while keeping a product line broadly similar. A grower who starts with a small trial and expands several years later could end up with fixtures that are nominally similar but have slightly different spectral output. For wavelength-sensitive applications, ask vendors about spectral tolerances, binning practices and how closely the operating spectrum matches the stated specification. MORE THAN LIGHT Perhaps the biggest mistake in LED evaluation is treating it purely as a lighting decision. Replacing HPS with LED changes how heat is distributed. HPS delivers substantial radiant heat toward the crop, while LED systems generally shift more of the waste heat to the fixture and surrounding air. That can change leaf temperature, transpiration, irrigation timing, nutrient uptake, humidity, condensation, dehumidification and heating demand. Saving electricity at the fixture does not mean every other greenhouse energy load stays the same. For larger projects, computational fluid dynamics, or CFD, can help evaluate how a proposed lighting change may interact with airflow, temperature and humidity before capital is committed. It does not replace a crop trial, but it can identify design risks that are difficult to see from a light map alone. DIALLING INTO DYNAMIC Dimming, spectral control, weather24 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

gain and build an ROI model that includes installation, electrical upgrades, incentives, maintenance, heating or dehumidification changes and management requirements. LEDs can be powerful greenhouse tools, but the best system is not necessarily the fixture with the highest efficacy or the most sophisticated spectrum. Don’t buy LEDs on promises. Evaluate them on crop response, system fit, vendor support and return.

Dr. Bo‑Sen Wu is an agritech specialist with a PhD in vertical farming and LED lighting from McGill University. He has worked with start‑ups and global associations across CEA, greenhouse, vertical farming, and cannabis sectors, advising on plant science, environmental engineering, and controlled‑environment production.

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HOW TO EVALUATE AN LED PROJECT Start with the production problem, not the fixture. Define whether the goal is winter yield, quality, uniformity, crop timing, season extension, energy reduction or HPS replacement — and make the target measurable. Then establish the baseline: canopy PPFD and uniformity, seasonal DLI, climate conditions, energy use, maintenance cost and production performance. Only then compare vendors and model the proposed system. Evaluate light distribution, mounting height, shadowing and whole-greenhouse impacts. Estimate the likely production

The best LED decision is the lighting strategy that the crop, the greenhouse and the business can all support.

responsive lighting and crop-stage strategies can be powerful tools. But more control does not automatically create more value. Growers need reliable sensors, environmental data, crop-response knowledge, control logic, commissioning and technical support. Tunable fixtures and advanced controls can also carry a meaningful cost premium, so the added functionality needs to create measurable production, quality, energy or operating benefits. There is an important distinction here. Dimming based on sunlight or DLI is already commercially practical. More advanced plant-feedback control — for example, using chlorophyll fluorescence to continuously adjust light intensity — is still an active research area. It is promising, but interpretation and control become more complex in real production environments. The question is not whether dynamic lighting is advanced. It is whether your operation has the data, strategy and support to turn that flexibility into value.

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October 2026 - GREENHOUSE CANADA 25 2026-07-21 9:48 AM

LED

climate curve Survey results, webinar insights reveal the climate challenges, opportunities under modern LED systems

BY GREENHOUSE CANADA BELOW LEDs change the greenhouse energy balance so growers must rethink crop management.

26 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

When Greenhouse Canada surveyed growers across the country earlier this year about their LED transitions, the responses pointed to a clear pattern: LEDs were delivering expected energy savings, but they were also changing the greenhouse climate in ways many didn’t anticipate. Those early signals set the stage for our latesummer webinar, The Climate Equation: Light, Heat & Humidity Under Modern LEDs, where a panel of growers and technical experts unpacked what’s actually happening inside LED‑lit greenhouses and what operators need to adjust to stay ahead. Across the panel, the message was clear: LEDs fundamentally change the energy balance of the greenhouse, forcing growers to rethink how they manage heat, humidity, irrigation and crop steering as a result. “In an HPS fixture you have a lot of radiation heat,” Signify crop specialist Amos Bassi points out. “In an LED top light, you have one‑sixth of that radiation heat.” Atlantic Grown Organic’s Marc Schurman echoed this and accurately summarized the operation reality: “The more we light, the more we have to push an active climate.”

AUTHORITY IN AGRICULTURAL REFRIGERATION POLL #1 · The climate equation quantified

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Share of growers who picked each answer as the biggest change

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Crop growth balance was the top answer

Crop growth balance

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Humidity behaviour

19%

Heat distribution

16%

Transpiration & irrigation timing

12%

Airflow needs

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Source: Poll 1 results; The Climate Equation webinar. Aug. 2026.

THE FIRST SHIFT Panellists agreed that humidity was the first thing to behave differently under LEDs. They described: • Higher humidity levels show up quickly because crops transpire more under higher PPFD. • Without HPS heat to burn off moisture, the canopy stays wetter for longer. • Screen strategies shift from temperature‑based cues to absolute humidity differences between the canopy, attic and outdoors. • Venting becomes part of the routine — even during cold months when growers traditionally avoided it. • Clear curtains help hold heat while still letting growers capture natural light To adjust course, Ron Sant, of George Sant and Sons, shared how their team were able to help steer their ornamental crops, which he acknowledges are typically less sensitive than fruiting vegetables. “We raised greenhouse temperature by one to two degrees because we weren’t getting that heat coming down on the plants.” IRRIGATION ADJUSTMENT Both the survey and webinar pointed to irrigation as the area where growers made the most immediate adjustments. Key panel insights: • Irrigation must shift to mol‑based triggers, watering based on light delivered rather than time of day. • Crops require more water because transpiration increases under LEDs. • Night irrigation becomes essential when lighting

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LEFT Under strategic deployment of LEDs in greenhouses, growers report improved crop uniformity, more aggressive rooting and faster growth.

overnight. Nutrient deficiencies — especially phosphorus — appear earlier in young plants. • Water in must equal water out, or crops lose balance. Schurman aptly summarized the discussion around irrigation that resonates across crops: “Water going in has to equal the water going out.” It’s a simple line, but it captures the core shift: irrigation becomes a climate tool, not just a task. •

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CROP BEHAVIOUR LEDs amplify both strengths and weaknesses in a greenhouse system. Survey respondents echoed this, with several noting “more strategic light use” and “greater sensitivity to climate shifts” as key crop observations after switching to LED. Throughout the webinar and in our survey, growers reported the following changes to their crops under LEDs: • Grow faster • Root more aggressively • Show improved uniformity • Respond more strongly to climate steering • Become more sensitive to temperature gaps and irrigation timing Bassi captured the core message: “[When] lighting is added or changed, but the rest of the growing strategy doesn’t evolve… When the elements are brought back into balance, consistency improves.” What this means for growers: • Watch the crop earlier and more often. Under LEDs, the plant will tell you quickly if temperature, irrigation, or nutrition is off. • Use temperature intentionally. Slight increases in setpoints can restore the energy balance lost when HPS comes down. • Treat irrigation as steering, not scheduling. Align watering with light delivery, not the clock. • Feed proactively. Faster growth

KleenGrow – The Multi-tool in Your Toolbox

The One Versatile Product No Disease Management Program Should be Without Most growers look to simplify their management strategies as much as possible and surprisingly often overlook a multi-purpose tool that is commonly on hand and in their toolbox (aka pesticide storage room) already. This multi-purpose tool is none other than the PMRA registered fungicide, bactericide, algaecide, viricide and disinfectant named KleenGrow. The name KleenGrow is most commonly associated with cleaning and disinfecting greenhouses as it provides up to 30 days of disease, virus and algae control on hard surfaces; however, did you know KleenGrow is a powerful tool for many other practical applications that reach far beyond simply cleaning and disinfecting? KleenGrow is commonly used as a water treatment to reduce algae, biofilm and diseases in water holding tanks, in irrigation systems, and for controlling diseases on crops themselves. Using KleenGrow for managing diseases in not just a claim, KleenGrow is a PMRA registered fungicide and bactericide with concrete research data to support these uses. KleenGrow is labeled for managing botrytis, downy mildew, erwinia, fusarium, phytophthora, pythium, powdery mildew, pseudomonas, rhizoctonia, thielaviopsis, xanthomonas, and a wide range of fungal and bacterial leaf spots and blights on ornamental plants in greenhouses and nurseries. KleenGrow controls diseases by membrane disruption, causing the cell walls and membranes to physically break open. This unique mode of action prevents pathogens from building resistance to this chemistry; there is no known pathogen resistance.

This proven fungicide is compatible with a wide range of fungicides and insecticides. KleenGrow is a reliable fungicide and bactericide which can be used stand alone, in rotations, or tank mixed with other products.

Spray Applications • Propagation – Apply 0.5 mL/L. Can be applied every 7 days. • Bedding plants, Perennials, Woody Ornamentals – Apply 0.5 mL/L at 7-day intervals as needed or apply 1 mL/L at 14-day intervals. As with managing all foliar diseases, preventative applications are more effective than curative sprays. Begin the preventative applications when the environmental conditions are favorable for disease development or at the early onset of the infections. Avoid making applications to plants in full bloom.

Drench Applications KleenGrow is highly effective at controlling crown diseases and soil borne pathogens. Growers typically apply 1 mL/L when treating for root rots. The volume of solution to apply depends on the type of issue you are dealing with. When targeting crown diseases, apply enough KleenGrow drench solution to treat the top 1 to 3 centimeters of soil at the surface; applying more volume is not necessary and does not improve the level of control obtained. Higher application volumes are necessary when treating root rot pathogens; apply enough solution to thoroughly wet the root zone but not enough to have excess drench solution leach out of the containers. Preventative drenches are commonly applied at monthly intervals. Otherwise, drenches are applied as soon as crown and root rots are detected and can be applied every two weeks as needed thereafter. As you can see, KleenGrow is a versatile, cost-effective multitool growers can use to not only disinfect their growing areas but is a viable and highly effective option for their disease management programs. There is a place and benefit for using KleenGrow in every disease control rotation.

KleenGrow was highly effective at reducing disease severity of powdery mildew on gerbera. The results from this trial demonstrates how effective KleenGrow is as a standalone fungicide against powdery mildew and how it can also be used in cost effective combinations to provide excellent control options for growers.

Please contact your Pace Plant Health representative if there are any questions or concerns regarding plant safety, application rates or application methods. Canada West - Joe Kupillas 503-515-8079 Canada East - Mark Weiss 519-503-4011

October 2026 - GREENHOUSE CANADA 29

POLL #2 · What growers told us

100% answered

means higher demand especially in propagation and early vegetative stages. Expect stronger reactions. Any climate shift, good or bad, shows up faster under LEDs.

Where do you feel you need the most support during LED transition?

•

Share of respondents by area of greatest need

INFRASTRUCTURE REALITIES This project has illuminated that fact that LEDs don’t just change crop behaviour, they change how the greenhouse itself needs to function. The growers on the panel shared several practical infrastructure lessons that can help others avoid surprises and make the most of their lighting investment.

28%

Crop-response troubleshooting was the top answer

Crop-response troubleshooting

28%

Spectrum/DLI decisions

25%

Climate integration

17%

Energy-cost management

17%

Irrigation strategy

Source: Poll 2 results; The Climate Equation webinar. Aug. 2026.

What growers experienced: • Screens became more important: With less radiant heat from LEDs, many growers leaned more heavily on screens — or added a second layer — to help manage temperature and humidity. Clear curtains were especially useful for holding heat while still capturing natural light.

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•

Electrical capacity shaped the transition: Several growers used LEDs to light 30 to 40 per cent more area without upgrading their electrical service. LEDs allowed them to expand production inside existing amperage limits, but it required careful planning of fixture layout and load distribution. Rebates influenced timing and scale: Incentive programs played a major role in how quickly growers adopted LEDs and how much area they converted at once. For some, rebates made staged transitions possible; for others, they enabled full‑facility upgrades. Climate equipment had to work harder: Ventilation, circulation fans, and screen automation became more central to daily climate steering. Without HPS heat, these systems carried more of the load.

Key takeaways: • Evaluate your screen package before installing LEDs. LEDs reduce radiant heat — screens help

•

you rebuild the energy balance. A second screen or clear curtain can make humidity and temperature easier to control. Map your electrical capacity early. LEDs let you do more with the same service, but only if you plan fixture density and distribution carefully. This is especially important for older facilities. Use rebates strategically. Incentives can determine whether you convert one zone or the entire facility. Build your lighting plan around available programs to maximize ROI. Expect climate equipment to take on a bigger role. Fans, vents, and screen automation become essential tools under LEDs. Make sure they’re calibrated and capable of handling more frequent adjustments. Plan for expansion. The growers on the panel said they would add more light if they could. LEDs open the door to higher production density, but only if the infrastructure can support it.

PAYOFF IS REAL The combined message from both the survey and the webinar is clear: LEDs aren’t just a lighting upgrade — they’re a climate shift that require growers to rethink their entire growing strategy. They change how heat moves around the greenhouse, how humidity behaves, how water is used, and how crops respond. And while the transition demands more active steering, every grower on our panel agreed the payoff is real: stronger crops, more consistent production, and a greenhouse that runs with greater intention. LEDs may have temporarily rewritten the rules but they’ve also opened the door to a more controlled, efficient, and resilient future for Canadian greenhouse production. A special thank‑you to Signify for supporting this initiative and for sharing their technical expertise during the webinar. Their contributions helped ground the conversation in practical realities and gave growers a clearer understanding of how modern LED systems influence climate, crop behaviour and daily decision‑making.

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Rethinking aphid control Choosing insecticides that work with — not against — biocontrol BY AZIMOVE SULTHANA

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has changed the way greenhouse pests are managed. Rather than depending on repeated insecticide applications, growers can combine crop monitoring, biocontrol, cultural practices, physical management strategies and selective pesticide use. But selecting an insecticide within an IPM program requires more consideration than simply choosing the product that provides the highest pest mortality. A product can be highly effective against aphids but also highly damaging to parasitoids or predators. If beneficial populations are reduced following an application, pest suppression may be short-lived, and growers may find themselves

relying on additional pesticide applications. For this reason, insecticide compatibility should be considered as part of the overall pest-management strategy, not as an afterthought. PUTTING INSECTICIDES TO THE TEST The first phase of a recent research project in Ontario evaluated a broad range of insecticides representing different modes of action against green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). Both nymphs and adults were assessed over time to determine how treatments affected different stages of the aphid population. The laboratory screening showed considerable

ABOVE A recent research project in Ontario evaluated a broad range of insecticides representing different modes of action against green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). 32 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

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variation among treatments. Several products provided very high levels of aphid mortality, while others produced more moderate or limited control under the laboratory conditions. This is important from a resistance-management perspective. When multiple products are available, growers need to understand how they perform rather than assuming all insecticides provide equivalent control. However, aphid mortality tells only half of the story.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BENEFICIALS? Selected insecticides were evaluated against two important biocontrol agents: the parasitoid wasp (Aphidius colemani) and green lacewing larvae (Chrysoperla carnea). The results demonstrated substantial differences among products and between beneficial species. Some treatments that produced strong aphid suppression also caused considerable mortality among beneficial insects. Other treatments had comparably

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lower impacts on beneficials while still providing some degree of aphid suppression. Importantly, the two beneficial species did not always respond in the same way. An insecticide that was highly disruptive to one biocontrol agent could have little effect on another. For growers, this highlights an important point: there is no single definition of a “compatible” insecticide. Compatibility depends on the pest, the product, the biocontrol agent and how the insecticide is used. READING THE HEAT MAP The laboratory findings can be visualized as a heat map (Figure 1) showing the overall relationship between aphid control and effects on beneficial insects. Rather than reporting exact mortality values, the heat map groups responses into broad categories. This provides a general picture of which treatments showed strong aphid mortality and which were more disruptive to biocontrol agents. For aphids, higher mortality represents better pest suppression. For beneficial insects, however, the interpretation is reversed: higher mortality indicates greater disruption to biocontrol. This distinction is important when interpreting pesticide performance. A treatment that appears highly effective when evaluated only against aphids may look very different once its effects on beneficial insects are considered. The goal is therefore not necessarily to find the product that kills the most aphids. The goal is to identify an effective option with minimal disruption to biocontrol programs. HOW CAN GROWERS CHOOSE A MORE COMPATIBLE INSECTICIDE? So, what should growers consider when aphids begin increasing in a greenhouse crop? 1. Start with the biocontrol program Before selecting an insecticide, identify which biocontrol agents are currently being used and determine whether they are likely to be affected by the product. The same insecticide should not automatically be considered equally compatible with parasitoids, predatory larvae and other natural enemies. 2. Consider efficacy and compatibility together

FIGURE 1 GENERALIZED INSECTICIDE COMPATIBILITY HEAT MAP The heat map summarizes broad patterns observed during laboratory screening of insecticides against green peach aphid and selected biocontrol agents. For aphids, higher mortality indicates stronger pest suppression; for beneficial insects, higher mortality indicates greater potential disruption. Categories are generalized and do not represent exact mortality values. Laboratory responses may differ under commercial greenhouse conditions.

Aphid & Beneficial Insect Compatibility Very high mortality

High mortality

Moderate mortality

Low mortality

Not evaluated

A. colemani

C. carnea

----

Kopa

----

Purespray

----

Tristar

----

Aphid nymphs

Treatment

Aphid adults

Trounce Rycar Ventigra Closer Kontos Altus Harvanta Beleaf (+control)

A highly effective aphid treatment may not be the best choice if it severely disrupts established biocontrol agents. Conversely, a product with somewhat lower aphid mortality may still be useful if it provides sufficient suppression while preserving beneficial populations. The best choice depends on the pest pressure and the biocontrol program already established in the crop.

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LEFT Lab experiments provide useful information about the direct effects of insecticides, but greenhouse production introduces additional variables.

The impact of an insecticide does not necessarily end when the application is made. Growers should consider how quickly beneficial populations can recover, whether additional releases may be needed, and whether aphids could rebound after natural enemies have been reduced. A product that appears successful immediately after application may have very different consequences for the crop over the following weeks.

“Preliminary observations suggest that insecticide selection can influence both aphid suppression and the performance of biocontrol.”

36 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

Consider the life stage of the pest Aphid nymphs and adults can respond differently to insecticide treatments. Understanding these differences may help growers determine whether a treatment is likely to provide adequate population suppression. Rotate modes of action Repeated use of the same insecticide or mode of action increases selection pressure and can contribute to resistance. Where possible, growers should incorporate products with different modes of action into a resistance-management program while also considering their compatibility with biocontrol. Think about what happens after spraying

FROM THE LAB TO THE GREENHOUSE Laboratory experiments provide useful information about the direct effects of insecticides, but greenhouse production introduces additional variables. Temperature, humidity, lighting, plant growth, insect behavior, pesticide persistence and interactions among species can all influence treatment performance. The second phase of this research is therefore evaluating selected insecticides under greenhouse conditions using pepper plants and aphid populations in the presence and absence of biocontrol agents. These experiments are designed to provide a more realistic picture of what happens when chemical and biocontrol are used within the same production system. Although the greenhouse research is still underway, preliminary observations suggest that insecticide selection can influence both aphid suppression and the performance of biocontrol. The final results will help clarify which treatment strategies may provide the best balance between pest control and beneficial-insect conservation. SUPPORTING RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT AND BIOCONTROL The increasing importance of

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LEFT For growers, the most useful insecticide may not be the one that produces the highest mortality in a lab assay. Instead, the better question may be: Does this treatment provide enough aphid suppression while allowing my biocontrol program to keep working?

resistance management makes insecticide selection even more critical. Green peach aphid has developed resistance to multiple insecticide groups, and repeated reliance on a limited number of chemistries can make management increasingly difficult. An IPM program that combines biocontrol with strategic insecticide use can provide more options for managing aphids while reducing unnecessary pesticide applications. The key is to view insecticides as one component of a broader management system, rather than as a stand-alone solution. BIG PICTURE For greenhouse growers, the most useful insecticide may not necessarily be the one that produces the highest mortality in a laboratory assay. Instead, the better question may be: Does this treatment provide enough aphid suppression while allowing my biocontrol program to keep working? That shift in perspective can make insecticide selection more strategic. The ultimate goal of this research is to help growers make decisions based on both sides of the equation: effective pest suppression and preservation of beneficial insects. As Canadian greenhouse production continues to move toward more biologically based IPM programs, understanding these interactions will become increasingly important. By selecting insecticides that complement rather than disrupt biocontrol, growers may be better positioned to manage aphids sustainably while protecting the natural enemies that are already working in their crops. Azimove Sulthana is a PhD student working at the Harrow RDC with Dr. Roselyne Labbe and the University of Windsor with Dr. Sherah VanLaerhoven. Their research is supported by the SCAP-Agri Science Project entitled: “Better biological aphid control for sustainable and resilient greenhouse production” in collaboration with the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. 38 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026 GH_Sollum_Sept26_CSA.indd 1

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 in January and then February 1st, it was like our sales went up four times,” O’Brien recalls of the time. “We couldn’t grow enough product.” He adds that despite growing 12 billion plants in 2025, they still didn’t meet the demand. TURNING POINT GoodLeaf’s profitability arrives at a moment when Canada’s food‑security challenges are becoming increasingly visible. The country’s reliance on imported, field-grown leafy greens from the U.S. has created seasonal gaps in availability, price volatility and vulnerability to climate‑related disruptions. This context has made controlled environment agriculture more than a technological curiosity; it has made it a strategic asset. Vertical farms like GoodLeaf can produce consistent volumes of fresh greens regardless of weather, drought, wildfire smoke or supply‑chain bottlenecks. Their closed‑environment systems also eliminate many of the food‑safety risks associated with field production. “There’s nothing in our grow rooms but plants, water, air and light,” O’Brien said. “Nothing’s getting in there.” For Canadian retailers and consumers, this reliability is becoming more and more valuable. The past two years have seen a noticeable shift toward Canadian‑grown produce, driven by climate volatility, trade uncertainty and a desire for shorter, more transparent supply chains. GoodLeaf’s cross-country footprint positions it uniquely to meet that demand, and its profitability demonstrates that indoor farming can contribute meaningfully to national food security through a stable, proven operating model. WHERE VERTICAL MEETS GREENHOUSE While GoodLeaf’s farms operate in fully enclosed, multi‑level indoor environments, O’Brien is quick to point out that vertical farming is not a replacement for greenhouse production — it’s an extension of it. “We’re not trying to do what greenhouses do,” he says. “We’re filling a gap they can’t fill.” The two systems are becoming complementary parts of Canada’s controlled‑environment agriculture landscape. Greenhouses remain unmatched

for crops like tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers where sunlight and expansive trellising drive efficiency. Vertical farms, meanwhile, excel at fast‑turnover, high‑value crops like microgreens, where precision, food‑safety control and year‑round consistency matter most. O’Brien notes that retailers now view indoor farming as a spectrum rather than a set of competing technologies: “They don’t care how we grow it; they care that it’s

fresh and always available.” Microgreens grown in vertical farms sit alongside greenhouse‑grown leafy greens, herbs and vegetables, creating a diversified, domestically sourced assortment, “and together, we’re giving Canadians more Canadian‑grown options.” There is even a future in which O’Brien sees the production systems working in tandem under the GoodLeaf banner.

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LEFT In the near term, GoodLeaf expects to explore new product categories while also ensuring a steady supply of its microgreens for the Canadian market.

“Do I think that at some point in time, we could have a greenhouse? Absolutely,” he said. “The heating energy from our grow rooms in our vertical farms could easily heat a greenhouse all year round.” WHAT’S NEXT? Profitability has put GoodLeaf in the enviable position to be able to invest in its next phase of growth. At the moment, O’Brien says the company is focused on

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scaling what already works to be able to meet domestic demand and potentially expand into the U.S. market. “We need to increase our capacity here in Canada to meet their needs,” he notes, acknowledging that the priority, as always, is to ensure steady supply to the Canadian market. In the near term, they’re also exploring new product categories for microgreens (think microgreen-infused water)

and trialling new crop categories for commercial viability. “We’re not trying to do every crop,” O’Brien said. “We’re looking at where our technology gives us an advantage — where we can be the best in the market.” GoodLeaf’s profitability is a turning point for the company and Canada’s broader controlled-environment sector. It’s proven to be a reliable and commercially viable piece of the country’s food system at a time when climate and trade pressures intensify. “Controlled environment agriculture is going to be a big part of Canada’s food system,” O’Brien said. “Greenhouses, vertical farms — all of it.” His point underscores the significance of GoodLeaf’s milestone: it demonstrates that indoor farming is no longer an experiment, but a proven contributor to a more resilient, Canadian‑grown supply chain.

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INSIDE VIEW

GARY JONES | greenhousewolf@gmail.com

Where’s your thinking? We all know that managing the root zone is a huge aspect of good crop husbandry and achieving optimum plant performance. This is especially true in recirculating soilless growing systems, where constant monitoring of solution parameters is part of the daily role of any decent grower. And with an expanding range of sensors available to measure just about anything below ground, looking after the roots is becoming an increasingly exact science. Good job we have lots of great support specialists to guide us. But industry news contains an increasing number of items about a much more basic aspect of crop nutrition and root-zone management - the question of simply having enough water available. For instance, one headline from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) in the UK states “We can’t produce food without water”.1 You don’t need to be a crop consultant or have a chemistry degree to know that of course! With Europe-wide droughts, “the NFU is calling on the UK government to focus on shoring up domestic food supplies by prioritising water for food production.” It is an issue of “national critical infrastructure” and the NFU is calling for these immediate actions: • “Flexible abstraction licences … so farmers can take and store water when it rains for use at times of shortage. • Streamline the planning system – making it quicker and easier for farmers and growers to build water storage. • Support investment in on-farm reservoirs” (through grants). It also wants to see 0 “a risk register for vulnerable

supplying additional water to greenhouse operations in the Westland region” … “A ban on withdrawing surface water has been in effect in the region since August 5” 2 (since temporarily lifted for horticulture use Aug 21-26, but being closely monitored). With growers’ storage basins empty and low to zero rainfall, such bans certainly focus one’s thinking. Indeed, the Delfland Water Authority declared the situation a “code black,” its highest alert level.” It’s even more critical in the Netherlands: ”If the dikes weaken due to drought, the safety of the 1.25 million residents in our region is at stake.” As a result, no freshwater is currently available for other uses.” Against this background, the Delfland Water Authority and Glastuinbouw Nederland agreed to investigate several options: • “transporting freshwater from outside the Delfland region by tanker truck • installing a temporary desalination unit near the Nieuwe Waterweg and • further treating wastewater for use in greenhouse horticulture.” These are drastic measures.

As Chris Bodnar (organic grower and Associate Professor at University of the Fraser Valley) often reminded me, “Hope is not a plan.” Growers can’t simply hope for rains to come to fill water basins, irrigate field crops, or hydrate livestock. Water availability is an issue of critical importance not just to growers, but also to consumers, national food security, and in some areas, ultimately public safety. Some of the ideas from the UK’s NFU may already be in place in your district. Some may not ‘Growers can’t simply hope for rains to come to fill water basins...’ be. And the options being considered in Delfland may or may not be business water users, giving critical farm businesses such as applicable here. But we have to look at this issue from livestock, poultry and high-value horticulture access to water all angles, and at all levels, to see what may work for us. to support animal welfare and business viability.” Without solutions, rootzone management will take In much of Europe this year, yields are looking poor on a whole new meaning, and ultimately there may as irrigation of fruit, vegetables and for livestock is be water-related bankruptcies in our industry. This is challenging, to say the least. It’s hard to manage pH and definitely a time to think outside the basin. EC if you don’t have enough of the basic ingredient, especially when there’s competition from housing and 1. NFU Online, “We can’t produce food without industry, and there’s a new demand to fight massive water,” NFU warns. In HortiDaily.com 11 Aug forest fires, as Spain experienced. All this puts pressure 2026 on our food supplies, and the NFU says “we’re not going 2. Unattributed, “Dutch greenhouse industry to be able to trade our way through this potential crisis.” urgently needs water: there is consultation, but no Across the Channel, the Netherlands is dealing with solution yet”. In HortiDaily.com 11 Aug 2026 similar headlines: “Dutch greenhouse industry urgently needs water: there is consultation, but no solution yet.” “The Gary Jones has worked in many aspects of the Delfland Water Authority and Dutch Greenhouse Growers horticulture industry in BC, the UK, and elsewhere, and (Glastuinbouw Nederland) are investigating three options for welcomes comments at greenhousewolf@gmail.com. 42 GREENHOUSE CANADA - October 2026

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