Hydrolife Magazine April/May 2017 (USA Edition)

grow
“ GROWERS MUST EMPLOY INTAKE AND
OUTTAKE FANS SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND
IN INDOOR GROWROOMS TO ENSURE A STEADY
EXCHANGE OF AIR WHEN THE COVERINGS ARE DRAWN.“
growrooms to ensure a steady exchange of air when the
coverings are drawn. When choosing the size of inline
fans for intakes and outtakes, gardeners should use
similar considerations as seen with indoor growing.
Exhaust fans should completely exchange the air in
a light deprivation garden in five minutes or less.
Depending on the size and the structure of a garden,
intakes and outtakes can be mounted on the framing
system or simply placed on the ground. However, for air to
move efficiently, it’s essential that the ducting connected
to these fans is long enough so that the ends are not
covered by the tarp when it is pulled over the frame.
Light deprivation greenhouses essentially signal plants
that seasons are changing earlier than they actually are, so
growers can manipulate their crops to produce more robust
and frequent crops. Keep in mind that some plants react
better to light deprivation methods than others, and that
issues such as excessive
heat or humidity, lack of
oxygen to the roots, and pest
infestations can be prohibitive.
Once dialed in, however, light
deprivation technology can be used
to harvest early and often, particularly
in late summer and early fall.
Kent Gruetzmacher is a California-based writer
and the west coast director of business development
at Mac & Fulton Executive Search and Consulting, an
employment recruiting firm. He is interested in utilizing
his Master of Arts in humanities to explore the cultural and
business facets of this emerging industry by way of his
entrepreneurial projects.
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grow. heal. live. enjoy.
myhydrolife.com