Sanitation

PSRC staff must be notified BEFORE any plant material is brought into the greenhouse. Plants collected from the field have the potential to introduce insects or pathogens into the greenhouse.

• Report all insect or pathogen issues immediately to PSRC staff.
• Nursery pots, azalea pots and standard 1020 trays are sanitized by PSRC staff after each use. When an experiment ends, return all empty, dirty pots and trays to the proper area for sanitation. Inserts (606, 806, 1206 etc.)  mesh flats and plant labels are one-time use. These can be placed in the recycle bins.
• Keep all hose ends off of the floor by using the hose hangers supplied in each greenhouse.
• Hoses, water breakers and cut off valves are the property of the PSRC and may not be removed from the greenhouses.
• All greenhouse and headhouse space are to be kept clean and orderly by the users.
• For research integrity, do not use spilled potting mix or soil that has been on the floor. Once spilled it must be discarded.
• Avoid placing plant material, pots or tools on the floor. The floor is not a desirable work or growing surface. Do not stand or sit on greenhouse benches.
• Greenhouse zones are not for storage of supplies or equipment. Please see greenhouse staff for alternative storage areas.
• To maintain cultural conditions and reduce insect populations, please keep greenhouse doors closed at all times.

Equipment

Before using any equipment at the PSRC, contact the greenhouse manager to ask permission and receive instruction on the safe operation of the equipment.

• Report any damage, malfunction or loss of equipment to greenhouse staff.

• Clean and return all equipment/tools to the PSRC.

*Note: Some equipment belongs to individual professors/departments and will not be available for general use.

In The Greenhouse

• New users are encouraged read the Quick Start Guide (LINK TO GUIDE) and to schedule time with the greenhouse manager for a tour of the facilities.
• In accordance with EPA guidelines and in order to gain after-hours access, ALL USERS must complete the Worker Protection Standards (WPS) training yearly and comply with all pesticide restrictions on entry. Violation of any pesticide restriction will result in the permanent loss of after-hours access.
• Before work can begin in the greenhouse, growth chamber or in the micro-plots the Experiment Approval Request Form must be submitted and approved.
• The signed form is the contract between the AAES and the PI. It states what the AAES will provide/support and what the PI/lab group will provide.  It also details who is responsible for plant maintenance, data collection, etc. Any request for changes or additions to the plan after final approval are at the discretion of greenhouse manager.
• At the completion of the experiment, it is the responsibility of the PI/lab group to dispose of remaining plant material, used soil or potting mix, and to empty all pots/trays of pot liners, tape or plant labels. Pots and trays should be returned to the dirty pot area for sanitation. Waste soils should be placed in the trash dumpster outside of the greenhouses.

If the experiment will exceed the end date of the request, please notify the greenhouse manager immediately.

Growth Chambers

• The PSRC has 4 Percival Arabidopsis growth chambers for use on a first come, first serve basis for approved experiment station scientists.
• In accordance with EPA guidelines and in order to gain after-hours access, ALL USERS must complete the Worker Protection Standards (WPS) training yearly and comply with all pesticide restrictions on entry. Violation of any pesticide restriction will result in the permanent loss of after-hours access.
• In order to use the growth chamber(s), the Experiment Approval Request Form must be submitted and approved before any work may begin.
• The PI/lab group using the chamber will be responsible for all plant maintenance tasks including daily watering, applying fertilizers, staking, weeding and applying treatments.
• In the event an insect problem arises, please notify the greenhouse manager immediately.
• Pesticides may not be sprayed within the growth chambers. Please see the greenhouse manager for pesticide applications.
• The PSRC will schedule maintenance on the chamber(s), replace light bulbs and apply pesticides as needed.
• In the event the growth chamber experiences a malfunction, notify the greenhouse manager immediately.
• Upon completion of the experiment, the PI must clean and sanitize the unit, leaving it ready for the next user.