Functions of a Greenhouse

1. Functions of a Greenhouse Horticulture II: 7.01-8.02

2. What does a Greenhouse DO? What are its functions? - Make a list on the back of your handout.

3. Basic Function • To provide a protective environment for crop production.

4. Functions • Temperature range needs to be conducive to plant production. • Ideal temperature 65 degrees-80 degrees • Moisture range is conducive to plant production • Watering • Humidity

5. Pest Control • Insects • Diseases • Weeds • Rodents

6. Nutrition • In soil and water • In air – ventilation is necessary to supply carbon dioxide.

7. Expenses • Labor is usually the greatest expense • Heat is usually the second highest expense

8. Greenhouse effect (front of HO) • The way greenhouses collect and store heat from the sun. • Radiant energy warms the greenhouse and its contents. • Greenhouses lose heat through the plastic, glass, etc. and additional heat has to be provided especially in winter.

9. Heaters Fans Cooling Pads Mechanical Air Conditioners Ventilators Shade Cloth Fogging Misting 8.02-Temperature Controls

12. 7.02-Environmental Controls • Thermostat-should be at plant level • Aspirated-small fan blows air continuously over temperature sensing unit for more uniform temperature • Thermistor-use of computers to monitor • Light • Photocell-measures light intensity (turns lights on and off) • Timer-turns lights on and off at a certain time • Moisture • Humidistat-controls fogging and misting to regulate relative humidity

14. 8.01-Maintenance Items • Temperature • Heaters-adequate clean fuel • Thermostats working properly • Fans, Fan motors, belts, etc-work • Cooling pads-adequate water and clean • Shade cloth-attached and is at right percentage • Light • Shade Cloth-attached or removed • Light bulbs-all work • Photocells & Timers-work correctly

15. 8.01-Maintenance Items • Moisture • Humidistat & Fogging/Mist Systems-work properly • Water lines & faucets-no leaks and adequate source of high quality and clean water • Sanitation • Diseases, Weeds & Insects-controlled by prevention methods

16. 8.02-Temperature, Light, & Moisture • Temp Controls • Heaters • Fans • Cooling pads • Mechanical air conditioners • Ventilators • Shade cloths & materials • Fogging and misting

17. Heaters , Fans and Cooling Pads

18. Ventilators, Shade Cloths, Foggers and Misters

19. 8.02-Temperature, Light, & Moisture • Light Controls • Lights • Shade cloth • Shade materials • Black cloth • Moisture Controls • Watering System • Shade cloth • Foggers • Mist system • Humidifiers

20. Transplanting Bedding Plants • Media – materials used to start and grow plants • Soil – must be mixed with other materials such as peat moss to add organic matter and improve aeration and drainage • Inorganic materials improve aeration and drainage • Sand- finely ground stone • Gravel • Perlite –expanded volcanic rock, neutral 7.0 -7.5 pH sterile

21. Transplant bedding plants cont. • Commercially prepared mixes – sterile, no insects, weeds or diseases • Jiffy-Mix • Redi-Earth • Pro-Mix • Sunshine Mix • Metro Mix • Other brands

22. Containers • Flat – plastic tray usually used for planting seeds • Cell packs – several small cell-like pots of plastic molded together used for planting one or two seeds per cell and selling without transplanting to another container • Peat pots can be planted directly in the soil • Jiffy 7 pellet can be planted directly in the soil

23. 5. Plastic pots of various sizes and shapes 6. Clay pots of various sizes and shapes 7.Styrofoam pots of various sizes 8. Hanging baskets 9. Standard pot is the same width at the top as it is high 10. Azalea pot is ¾ as high as its top diameter or width