Plant Care Facility Operations Policies

How do I start a greenhouse project?

PCF users are asked to fill out a Project Request Form to initiate a greenhouse project. We ask for a minimum of 2 weeks notice but every effort will be made to find the appropriate greenhouse space, obtain the necessary greenhouse supplies, and get the required soil for your project as soon as possible. These forms are available at 1222 or 1312 PSL. You may also fill out an on-line version of the Project Request Form.

What is the charge for using greenhouse space?

The PCF Service Charges for space and associated services are based on the bench space assigned to a greenhouse project. The minimum charge is 30 ¢/square foot/month and covers the use of space and basic services. The maximum rate with full service, supplies, and supplemental lighting is 56¢/sq ft/month plus soil charges.

Some examples of how these charges add up:: At the full service rate (56¢/sq ft/month), a 200 square foot room in the PSL greenhouse with the current bench arrangement will be charged $336/quarter.; A typical large room (approximately 1000 sq ft) in the PSL or Turner Hall greenhouse will accumulate a $1680/quarter service charge at the full service rate.; Please note: these examples assume the full service rate and that the user has been assigned use of all the bench space in the room. Charges are calculated for the actual time the space is reserved for a project and the level of services provided.

How do I get soil for my greenhouse, growth chamber, or laboratory project?

The PCF operates a full-service soil room to provide custom soil-based mixes and commercial soilless mixes.

For soil-based mixes, you may choose from a selection of commonly used soil recipes or request a mix tailored to your specific needs. Soil mixes normally require a 5 working day advance notice.

The PCF also stocks a selection of soilless mixes including Germination Mix, Sunshine Mix #1, Universal Mix, and vermiculite. These products are available during working hours for pick-up.

For both soil and soilless mixes, please fill out a Soil Request Form. These forms are available outside 1222 or 1312 PSL, and near the phone in the Turner Hall greenhouse crosshouse. You may also fill out an on-line version of a Soil Mix Request Form or Soilless Mix Request Form.

Please note: Soil charges are billed per order and added to your quarterly service charges.

What other services are available through the PCF staff and how do I request them?

The PCF Staff is available to assist with most activities in the greenhouse. Users are asked to fill out a Project Request Form when initiating a greenhouse project. Subsequent changes to watering, fertilizing, planting schedule, control system settings, project dismantling, pest control, obtaining seeds and plant materials, etc., may be requested on the "PCF Service Request Form". Since we may get a number of requests at one time, we do appreciate getting your request in writing. (For many of these services, you can also send us your request by e-mail.) Forms are available outside 1222 or 1312 PSL, and near the phone in the Turner Hall greenhouse crosshouse. An on-line version of the PCF Service Request Form or the PCF Project Request Form is also available.

I need to get get into the greenhouse at night and on weekends, how do I get keys?

To request keys to the greenhouse, please fill out a PCF Service Request Form (or e-mail us). Tell us what department you are in, your advisor (if you are not one yourself), the greenhouse rooms you need access to, and if you need an outside door key. Please allow at least a day or two for us to obtain the key cards and pick up the keys from F & S. Also, please remember to turn your greenhouse keys to 1222 or 1312 PSL when you no longer need them.

How do I get my greenhouse plants sprayed if necessary?

Pest control is a basic service included in the service charge for any PCF project. Users are requested to note special pest control requirements on the forms when they initiate a greenhouse project. Pest control will be carried out on an as-needed basis or after consulting the greenhouse user. Please feel free to contact us at any time during a greenhouse project to discuss pest control options.

A note on greenhouse chemical applications...

In the PCF greenhouses, pesticides and other greenhouse chemicals are commonly applied by the PCF staff. Greenhouse users who need to do their own chemical applications must have the appropriate licenses from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. All applicable EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) guidelines (wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, posting approved warning signs, keeping and posting chemical application records, etc.) must also be followed. If you have any questions about licensing requirements or the WPS, please contact the PCF staff.

Can I have a cookout of my greenhouse?

This is a great idea! If you have a pause in the action of your greenhouse project when you have a few days to a week or so before you next crop goes in, please schedule a cookout of your greenhouse with the greenhouse staff. We'll come in, wash down the benches and floors, and jack-up the room temperature as high as we can for a few days (This obviously works best in the summer when we can just close the room down. It won't work as well in extremely cold weather but it's still a good idea to go for a thorough greenhouse cleaning.) The clean-up/cookout is a good greenhouse IPM procedure that will help to eliminate any residual disease or insect problems before bringing in the next crop. Even if only part of your room is going to be empty for a while, please let us know and we'll clean-up and wash down what's not in use.

Are personal plants allowed to be grown or housed in the Place Care Facility?

No. The Plant Care Facility is for the purpose of conducting plant and insect research or for the rearing of plant material for University courses or other educational purposes.

Where do I find MSDSs for chemicals used in the greenhouse?

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for the PCF are kept in a notebook in the corridor opposite 1312 PSL and in the Turner Hall Greenhouse head house outside range 4. WPS required safety information is also posted in this area.

Where do I dump my plants and soil from my project when I'm done with them?

Please note that when you dispose of any greenhouse refuse, the soil and plant material needs to be disposed of separately from any other trash (plastic pots, clay pots, paper, wood, etc.). Separate refuse containers labeled for Soil or Plant Material Only! or Trash Only! are available throughout the greenhouses. These containers should be emptied into the appropriate load luggers located on the north and south ends of both the Plant Sciences Lab and Turner Hall greenhouses.

PSL has both a large and a small autoclave available for destroying transgenic plant material. It is usually easiest to bag up the material in large autoclave bags. (The PCF does not stock autoclave bags. They are available from U of I's Central Stores.) We do have metal cans available if large quantities of soil need to be autoclaved before disposal.

If you need any assistance with cleaning up your greenhouse or have any unusual materials to dispose of (some examples: old pesticides which require special handling or metals for recycling), please ask.

Can I schedule a tour of the PCF greenhouses?

The PCF staff is available to give tours of the Greenhouse facility. Priority will be given to university classes in the plant sciences. You can request a tour on-line or contact us for more information.

Still have questions?

For any other questions or concerns about your project, please stop by the greenhouse, give us a call, or e-mail us! We're here to help with your greenhouse project or any plant growth requirement.

	Ruth Green rgreen6@uiuc.edu PCF Coordinator 333-3058 1222 PSL, mc-634	Heather Lash, Greenhouse Specialist hek@uiuc.edu Brian Hurt, Ag Gardner hurt1@uiuc.edu 244 0358 1312 PSL, MC 634
	pcf@aces.uiuc.edu