Automating Your Grow Operations

Automating Your Grow Operations- Taking Advantage of Technology Advancements to Further Your Operation

With increased demand for products and limited space to grow them, the horticulture industry is becoming more technologically advanced through the implementation of automatic farming systems in their grow operations. By using automation in a commercial greenhouse, indoor farm, or in-field operation the commercial grower is able to produce more in less time, with less overhead, with more accuracy, and more profits.

When the thought of automation crosses a grower’s mind, there may be images of robots and machines running the entire greenhouse. However, automation comes in many varieties and levels of automation. In a commercial greenhouse operation, the avenues of automation range from environmental control systems, dosing or nutrient delivery systems, irrigation, lighting, air quality, and products for an integrated pest management system. A commercial grower can choose to automate just one, several, or all. It just depends on their needs and goals for their specific operation.

Why Automate in a Greenhouse, Indoor Farming Operation, Or Other Type of CEA Facility?  When faced with the major decision of whether automation is the right choice for a grower’s commercial horticulture venture, often questions arise about cost and effectiveness, as well as how readily staff and employees will embrace the new technology. Automation can come in many forms and you can have different degrees of automation.

It isn’t just large machines like composters and transplanters. It can be as small as an automated irrigation system and dosing system installation or the use of cranes to move large tables and other supplies like soil bags. Automation in a greenhouse in any form has shown to bring positive change to the operation through increasing efficiency and creating more opportunities for workers. Automation isn’t necessarily a method of job elimination, but rather an aid in making work more positive and productive.

Environmental Control Systems

In a commercial greenhouse, the control of the environment is essential to making sure plants stay healthy and are able to produce desired yields. Without proper temperatures, a plant will suffer and you will see undesirable effects on overall crop production, plant health, and crop harvest yields. Heating and cooling in an indoor farm or commercial greenhouse is very important as the greenhouse can easily reach over 100 degrees fahrenheit on a summer day and well below freezing on a winter’s day. Traditionally, greenhouses were equipped with manual means of controlling the temperature from side vents, rolling sides, and ridge vents. These methods work, however, they are labor intensive and require workers to monitor the temperature and adjust the rolls and vents to accommodate the needed effect. This method works well in smaller greenhouses, but on a large commercial scale there are better methods of temperature control.

The horticulture industry has turned to science and automation in many aspects of environmental control, plant growth, and crop production systems. Heating and cooling is no exception. Today, a greenhouse manager can install a thermostat that digitally connects to the greenhouse or indoor farm air system to control the vents and fans. Instead of worrying about checking temperatures throughout the day, the system is set on a desired temperature and takes measures to keep the greenhouse at that temperature. Newer thermostat systems are able to connect to a mobile device and alert a grower when issues arise so that these issues can be addressed quickly and efficiently.

Atmospheric Condition Controls

In addition to proper air temperature controls being automated, a grow operations air can also be purified and enhanced for suitable growth. Thanks to new technology, an indoor farm or greenhouse can have the air purified, enhanced, and have humidity and CO2 levels controlled. Old-school methods of controlling atmospheric conditions like humidity, were to increase water levels in the air by utilizing evaporation. Some growers did this by spraying the ground surface with water early in the day and letting the rising greenhouse temperatures evaporate the water into the air. This increases the humidity, but is not accurate and if not done correctly can cause algae growth and favorable conditions for some pests and disease.

Systems today can be automated similar to the temperature control systems. In these automated CEA systems, water vapor is sprayed directly into the air when air readings prompt for higher humidity or humidifiers are utilized. CO2 monitors can be installed into the grow area to monitor CO2 conditions using infrared gas technology. Air purification is very important for plants as polluted air can lead to poor growth. Filtration systems can be installed into the air circulation system and work with the air flow to filter air as it passes through the system. Ion emitters have also come onto the scene for cultivators and are used to enrich the air with negative and positive ions. These emitters have been shown to positively affect plant growth by introducing good ions into the plant’s atmosphere.

Plant Nutrients One of the top causes of poor plant growth and yields is the lack of essential macro and micro nutrients. Plants require thirteen different nutrients and minerals to fully develop, six of which are needed in large quantities (macro). All plant nutrients are essential to the plant for growth.

Poor plant nutrient dosing systems can have negative impacts on health and growth by inhibiting plant processes like photosynthesis and respiration. When left untreated, plant losses will occur. Without automation for plant nutrient delivery, a grower is required to measure and administer the nutrient solutions to the plants through hand sprayers. This can be effective, but can lead to uneven distribution of nutrients. Some areas will receive less than needed while others will receive more than needed.

An easy solution to improper plant nutrient applications is to install an irrigation system throughout the growing environment. By implementing a nutrient delivery system alongside an irrigation or drip irrigation system, a grower can apply a dose of nutrients to the water and allow the nutrients to be delivered to the plants connected to the system.

Newer nutrient delivery systems can measure the needed nutrients in the soil or water and dose accordingly to the needs of the plants. This takes the guesswork out of nutrients and applications. Soil and water readers can be used to measure the nutrient content, as well as pH levels. Digital readers can be installed in a growing area to give accurate and reliable readings of the plants. Knowing the pH of the soil or water is ideal for a grower wanting to ensure proper growth of plants.

Integrated Pest Management

During the growing season, there will be pests and the need for addressing them before the problem turns into a major one. Proper identification of the insects, as well as proper applications of controls are important in maintaining plant health. While prevention is the key, pests happen. While methods of control that are passive, such as yellow sticky papers, and insect traps in vents can work, some pests can be much more insistent to stay in the perfect little Eden the grower has created for their plants.

There are more intensive practices to pest control from natural means through predator insects that target the pest, organic, and chemical applications. Chemical applications for pest control should be done so in a precise manner for both health and safety, and for the overall effectiveness of the application. Today’s sprayers are equipped with the capability to spray in precise and accurate applications through settings on the machine.

These systems deliver the application directly to the plant where it is needed most- either the leaves or root zone. It is important to remember that no two greenhouse operations are the same. What works in one greenhouse, may not in another. The use of automation and the extent is solely up to the individual grower and their goals. While one grower installs large composters, transplanters, and plant moving robots, another grower may just need automatic watering systems and temperature controls. When selecting equipment for automation, it is also essential to choose a knowledgeable provider.

MORR Inc. is highly recognized as a go to source for the commercial horticulture industry for products, supplies, and grow services to ensure a smooth growing season for all types of agricultural ventures large and small. Backed by staff that are knowledgeable and have worked in the industry, the commercial greenhouse operator can rest assured that they are in good hands.

About MORR Inc.- 

Wholesale commercial agriculture, horticulture, and hydroponics supplies, equipment, automated systems distributor, and Grow Build-Out Construction Services.

  https://morr.com