June 2024 – BGI, Chesham Demonstrator Hub Update
BGI Site Plan
It’s been business as usual during June at the BGI Demonstrator Hub. All crops are now in full leaf and daily tasks are proceeding as planned. We’re looking into the possibility of drone spraying for Miscanthus, but it’s early days in these investigations so far. It was all hands on deck to plant 1104 willow rods at the beginning of the month.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.
Alder
- The SRF alder is in full leaf now and looking good.
Black Locust
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ and SRF black locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ are being monitored and updates will follow next month.
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’ at BGI, June 2024
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’ at BGI, June 2024
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’ at BGI, June 2024
Eucalyptus
- The SRF Eucalyptus is looking good.
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- SRF Eucalyptus
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- SRF Eucalyptus
Poplar
- The SRF poplar and SRC poplar is now in full leaf.
Miscanthus
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus is growing well with just a few gaps. Weeds are being dealt with where the gaps are as there is no canopy to stop weed growth. We are also working with a local Drone Company to see what HSE applications and costs are, with the potential of drone spraying.
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena™ plot was planted on 2/5/2024. Between 50/60% have emerged and are already shooting up. We are organising the application of Agritox (MCPA) @ 2 l/ha and Starane @ 0.6 l/ha. We are also working with a local Drone Company to see what HSE applications and costs are, with potential of drone spraying.
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- Miscanthus Athena plot, BGI Hub, Early June 2024
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- 0.5ha Miscanthus giganteus
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- Miscanthus Athena at the top of plot
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- Miscanthus Athena – surrounded by weeds
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- Miscanthus Athena shooting up so are the weeds, spraying booked
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- Miscanthus giganteus
Willow
- The 0.5 ha SRC willow is in leaf and growing tall, over 6ft. Willow rods for gapping up arrived and were soaked overnight prior to planting on 6th & 7th June. They are already shooting up and looking good. There were 1104 rods altogether:
276 rods of Roth Cheviot
276 rods of Resolution
276 rods of Endurance
276 rods of RR07160
- The grass aisles between the willow have been mowed.
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- BGI Hub Gapping up SRC Willow
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- BGI Hub gapping up SRC Willow
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- BGI Hub gapping up SRC willow
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- Planting the Willow rods, just removed yellow line tape.
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- Making holes for Willow Rods – SRC Willow gapping up BGI
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- SRC Willlow gapped up
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- Gapping up the Willow
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- Lady birds on SRC Willow rod – recently gapped up.
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- Willow shooting up after gapping up
Sida
- The sida was hand weeded and we have watered recent plantings.
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- Sida
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- Sida growing up…
Reed Canary Grass
- The reed canary grass seed was broadcast on 02/05/2024 and was already germinating and visible on 28/05/2024.
- It’s a little patchy but coming through.
Silphium
- The Silphium was sown on 02/05/224.
- So far there is no sign of germination.
Plans and Actions
- The Miscanthus plots have been sprayed using the herbidome.
- The Eucalyptus, SRF poplar and SRC poplar were sprayed with Glysopahte and have also been mowed.
- The wildflowers (sowed AB8 Nectar Stewardship) look fantastic particularly at the bottom of the Biomass Connect plot…. the bees and butterflies are loving it.
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- AB8 Nectar Stewardship wildflower mix
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- Cornflowers and poppies
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- Mayweed, Daisies amongst wild flowers….
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- Poppies at BGI
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- Wild flowers
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- Wild flowers BGI
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