Multi-Level Indoor Vertical Farming System Set-Ups

Indoor Vertical Farming Operations

In an enclosed greenhouse, whether it is a small-scale operation or a large commercial one, there are major benefits as opposed to growing strictly outdoors. In a greenhouse structure, the grower has full control over the environment from heat, water, humidity, and most importantly the light. It is known that light is essential for the production of plants, as it aids in the process of photosynthesis- a plants source of energy. When grow lighting is quality and in the right amounts, the plants will thrive. However, if the light source is lacking, the plants will not meet expectations. Radiant energy from the light will diminish the further from the source it gets, losing its intensity. Plants in the process of photosynthesis, convert the radiant energy into sugars that fuel the plant. A commercial grower can and should control the light source, type, and intensity for each specific plant and lifecycle stages.   While outdoor crop production has its benefits, indoor gardening allows for full control over the growing environment of the plants. With this specific control, a grower can increase growth rates and extend the growing season. In order to maximize radiant energy, some commercial operations utilize a concept known as vertical, multi-tiered configurations in their grow operations. Space in an enclosed structure is set and can not be expanded with in reason other than through a redesign, through use of rolling benches, or expansion of the growing areas. In order to take full advantage of their indoor space, growers will use space that is often wasted- space that goes up towards the upper levels of a greenhouse.

Multi-tiered Set-Ups for Greenhouses and Indoor Farming Operations

A greenhouse offers a plant the best of the best in the growing area due to the excellent control a grower has over the environment. While in the greenhouse, plants have access to the radiant light that filters through the clear siding of the structure. With the limited space, full advantage must be taken to maximize the grow area, while still maintaining the quality radiant light needed by the plants. Multi-tiered gardens can be an efficient way to maximize the space and exposure to light. There are several ways that tiers can be implemented into a commercial greenhouse. These include vertical planters, shelving, multi tier rolling benches, and vertical hydroponic systems.

Vertical Planters

Vertical planters are structures that grow plants in multiple levels upwards instead of horizontal. These planters are self-contained leveled gardens. Typically a vertical planter is watered from the top-allowing gravity to filter the water down. The water can carry plant nutrient solutions down into all levels of the planter for all plants to use. Some common crops that do best in a vertical planter are strawberries, lettuce, and some flowers such as Dracaena, Bromeliads, and ferns. Vertical planters are a method of housing plants in containers designed to hold plants in a vertical manner. These are self-contained and due to their nature, use gravity to feed water and plant nutrients from the top down in a trickle method. Certain plant varieties do best in these planters such as strawberries and lettuce, as the plants enjoy close quarters and do well with lighting designs needed for the vertical garden container. Furthermore, hydroponic systems have been modified to be vertical, using the technology of hydroponics in a compact tower structure for easy install and plant growth vertically. Most systems that are vertical and are hydroponic, are re-circulatory, meaning unused water is simply pushed back through the system. Similar to the standard vertical planters, the nutrient solution and water are fed from the top and use gravity to water the rest of the planter. Any vertical garden grower needs to be aware of the overall temperature of the water and solution, which can become hot over time due to the re-circulation of the water. When the water temperature is kept in check, these systems offer the most efficient and space saving methods for commercial greenhouse growers.

Vertical Hydroponic Systems

Vertical hydroponic systems are the same as regular vertical gardens, however, they are water based and contain zero soil. Most of these systems are recirculating systems with a pump that circulates water through the systems attached. Using gravity the water is pumped to the top of the levels and falls through the levels watering all the plants contained in the system. The vertical hydroponic system combines the power of quick growth and space-saving technology to maximize production and yields in less space. These systems are known as some of the most efficient growing methods used in a commercial setting.

Greenhouse Shelving and Rolling Benches

Shelving in a greenhouse, no matter the size, is always needed and the most basic of greenhouse needs. Using shelves for growing plants instead of storage is one of the most basic forms of multi-tiered growing. By stacking plants, a grower is able to maximize the growing space without sacrificing more floor space. When shelving is used for growing in a greenhouse, a grower should design the grow area and shelving to take full advantage of the sun. By doing this, higher plants do not shade lower plants from the sun. In selecting shelving, it is essential to account for height of plants at maturity so that shelving doesn’t impede or affect plants growth patterns.

Multi-Level Set-Ups

A true benefit of using a multi-tiered set-up can maximize floor space and overall radiant light exposure to the entire growing area. In most commercial greenhouses, plants are not only provided with natural light, but also supplementary lighting to increase availability of wavelengths for photosynthesis processes. When providing supplementary light sources, the grower should be aware of the individual plant needs and maximizing overall space and lighting for the plants. By stacking the plants vertically, the growing space automatically increases how ever many folds per stack.

Multi-Tiered set-ups for indoor gardens

In a commercial indoor garden operation, a vertical, and multiple layer set up can truly help maximize overall exposure to light and increase growing area within the indoor garden or large indoor farming operation. In an indoor setup, the radiant energy used by plants in the process of photosynthesis is supplemented through supplemental lighting or an artificial light source, One of the most efficient ways to use these light sources  is to hang lights vertically and surround the lamp with plants. Most HID systems radiate energy in a circle or on all sides of the lamp. Radiant energy from a light source diminishes exponentially the further light has to travel to the plants, meaning there is less energy available. A more efficient method is to surround plants around the light source so that light travels a shorter distance before reaching the plants. This results in a higher amount of radiant energy which can be used for photosynthetic purposes. In these types of commercial garden setups, the most common ones used are a Coliseum style, garden, and vertical hydroponic system.

Stadium or Coliseum Style Gardens

A stadium or Coliseum style garden can be used indoors as a very effective type of setup to maximize the efficiency of a light source. Taking the design from the standard Stadium or Coliseum structures, plants are staggered with seating around the light. The light source is positioned vertically in the center of the plants. With a staggering to the plants around the light, this light is not blocked, meaning a maximization of light per space. A simple way to achieve an indoor Stadium or Coliseum style setup is to place shelving in layers around a light source and stagger the plants vertically next to the light. It is with this setup that plants can be moved or re-positioned depending on their size as they mature and the radiant energy emitted from the artificial light source based on bulb size and light type.

Vertical hydroponic systems

Implementing Coliseum style setups within hydroponic systems can be easily done. A commercial grower can use the systems ability to rely on irrigation lines to deliver nutrients to each individual plant, as well as, providing an excellent light source for the plants. As mentioned previously, vertically positioned lights surrounded by the grow system will provide the highest amount of radiant light energy per space. Indoor horticulture, vertical farms, and/ or commercial greenhouse set ups provide excellent control over most plant needs. These needs range from temperature, water, nutrients, pest and disease control, light,etc. Multi-tiered, vertical gardens are an excellent way to take advantage of radiant energy from a light source. Both commercial greenhouse growers and indoor horticulturalist are limited by their given spaces. To maximize this space and radiant energy, most growers need to be creative in maximizing their overall grow area. As such, an easy way to be creative is to use a custom multi-tiered set up. Looking to start or upgrade a commercial indoor or outdoor grow operation? Contact MORR Inc. today to find out more about our next generation agricultural, greenhouse, indoor farm, CEA, and farm consulting, designing, construction, installation, and operational services- https://morr.com/services

About MORR Inc.-

MORR Inc. is a wholesale commercial agriculture distributor for planting, growing, and farming located in Los Angeles, CA. MORR Inc. supplies top of the line wholesale commercial hydroponic systems, commercial grow systems, a wide selection of commercial grow lights and automated control systems, nutrient rich soils and growing media, a large selection of specialized advanced plant nutrients for different plant life cycles, dosing and drip irrigation systems, high tech environmental meters and automated crop production systems, fans, filters, plant pesticides, plant fungicides, general commercial grow facility supplies and services, plus much more! https://MORR.com