Greenhouses as Artificial Modes of Growing Vegetation - Essay Example

Product Design Specification Installation of LED/HPS/Metal Halide lamps for lighting 2. Overhead spraying and drip system for plant watering3. Installation of vents for the purpose of ventilation 4. Heating Contents Executive Summary ……………………………………………………………………… 5 Lighting Plant Watering Ventilation Heating Foreword ……………………………………………………………………………………. 6 Lighting Plant Watering Ventilation Heating Scope of Specification ……………………………………………………………………… 8 Lighting Plant Watering Ventilation Heating Consultation ………………………………………………………………………………… 10 Lighting Plant Watering Ventilation Heating Design ……………………………………………………………………………………… 11 Lighting Plant Watering Ventilation Heating Appendices …………………………………………………………………………………… 14 Greenhouses have slowly become a very important part of people’s lives, especially those who grow crops and depend on agriculture for a living. This is because storing plants in houses made especially for their growth and development leads to the output of production of more crops in the long run. Greenhouses are artificial modes of growing vegetation and are used mostly in cold countries where plants do not receive much sunlight in order to carry out the process of photosynthesis. In this project, four essential parts of a greenhouse, namely lighting, plant watering, ventilation and heating, have been discussed in great length in terms of their product design specification. Executive Summary Lighting: The most essential part of a greenhouse is the lighting because plants require ample amount of sunlight in order to carry out photosynthesis and that is why artificial lighting is provided in greenhouses in order to contribute as daylight so that plants can carry on their functions without there being a gap because of seasonal changes. (Simmons, Joey) Lighting has to be controlled well, and different kinds of environments and climates require closely researched lighting so that the plants are not too forced to produce out of season. HID, LED, fluorescent and incandescent lights are mostly used for lighting up greenhouses. Plant watering: Watering is a very important part and aspect in maintaining a greenhouse. It is also a very tedious job that must be done with proper care because plants only need to be given exactly the amount of water they need otherwise they might die. Thus in the job of watering the plants, the exact mechanisms need to be invested in and used for best results. (Baelde, Louanne) Various methods that may be adopted for watering plants are hand watering, overhead spraying and improvising by using a drip irrigation system. Ventilation: A number of vents have to be constructed within the greenhouse because ventilation is very important in order to make sure that there is a lot of air flow within the greenhouse. This is especially necessary if the plants inside are very dense and require a lot of oxygen for the process of photosynthesis. Thus, a proper system of ventilation has to be constructed in order to make sure that there is no clogging of air or the establishment of an unhealthy environment within the greenhouse. (Teitel, Meir) Heating: A proper heating system is required to be installed inside the greenhouse in order to provide plants with proper warmth during the cold months. This is essential because otherwise they might not be able to survive due to the stark difference in temperatures. Thus, a heating system to ensure ventilation as well doubles up as something that is essential to the proper functioning of a greenhouse. (D. E. Buffington, R. A. Bucklin, R. W. Henley and D. B. McConnell) Foreword Lighting: Lighting is one of the most essential parts of the greenhouse and this has to be carried out properly with a lighting system built in a way that caters to the needs of different kinds of plants within the greenhouse. Artificial lighting is mostly required in order to have smooth functioning within the greenhouse. It is very important to make sure that low light plants should get plenty of light so that they are able to survive. A good lighting structure is very vital for the existence of plants in a greenhouse and the main idea is to somehow recreate and provide the plants with the same warmth and light that they would otherwise receive from the sun. This has to be done in an artificial manner in order to increase production even during the cold months of the year. Different plants have different requirements and that needs to be researched on as well. A grow light is something that can be used in the greenhouse as it is designed for the promotion of plant growth and development. It has been used in many greenhouses all over the world, and has proved to give the best results. The lighting used here has to be cost effective and efficient at the same time, so making use of either HPS lamps, LED lamps or Combination metal halide lamps is going to be the best option as per the specifications of this greenhouse. Plant watering: Accessories need to be purchased in order to carry out proper plan watering. The main ways by which this can be done as discussed in brief earlier, are hand watering, overhead spraying and improvising on a drip irrigation system. Hand watering must be carried out so that one can ensure that plants do not receive excess water because this not only wastes water but also harms the plants. That is why, while watering, it is imperative to touch the soil and check the moistness of it. This gives a true idea of how much is needed. Different kinds of tubing systems can be fitted on to the roof of the greenhouse in order to carry out the process of overhead spraying. This method requires less of manual labour because once the spray is attached; it just needs to be turned on and off from time to time. The sprays ensure that all the plants receive a certain amount of water. However, this might end up with some plants not receiving adequate water and so the sprays have to be fixed all over after going through with the design of the roof of the greenhouse. A drip system can be made very easily by making a thin gutter like lining along the plants’ sides. This must be filled with water at all times, so that the compost can soak in water from the gutter and seep into the plants. This is a very cost effective method and can be used for slow watering throughout the day. Ventilation: Ventilation is an integral part of the entire system of building a greenhouse and care has to be taken in order to install a proper ventilation system so that there is enough exchange of gases of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other miscellaneous gases in the air so that plants are able to carry on their process of photosynthesis smoothly. Side vents, fans, and other such mechanisms must be installed inside the greenhouse to make sure that there is better air flow at all times. The wind and air inside the greenhouse also has to be regulated so that there is not too much breeze inside which might lead to uprooting of the light weight plants. Also, automatic vents should be attached that can be closed as and when there are heavy winds outside the greenhouse so that there is no loss of vegetation inside it due to bad weather outside. A regulator should also be purchased in order to keep a check on the velocity and speed of the winds and to check the proper flow of air in and out of the greenhouse. Heating: Heating is required in a greenhouse especially during the winter months because plants need proper care in the form of warmth, heat and light throughout the year in order to provide the best outputs for man and to get the best out of the greenhouse. Proper environmental conditions must be maintained inside the greenhouse during the cold months as well, in order to ensure the best kind of climate for the survival of different plants. Plants that require a lot of heat and light to grow must be placed nearest to the heating system, and those that do not need it as much, away from it. In this way, this system of heating also collaborates with the other functions of the greenhouse in order to help the plants to flower completely and provide good quality produce. Insulation can be achieved by installing proper heaters inside the greenhouse which can help to bring about higher temperatures needed for plants to grow and develop better. Scope of Specification Lighting: Grow lights are being used to provide lighting in the greenhouse. Combination metal halide lamps have single or double ballast assemblies. The advantage in using this kind of lighting is that a spectrum is formed by the blue metal halide and the red high pressure sodium light which tends to help the plant to produce maximum output. However, limitations on the same would include high costs, as well as a shorter life span of the lights leading to a lot of maintenance costs as well. LED grow lamps are some of the most common used lighting systems in greenhouses. The best part is that this light helps to give out wavelengths of light in accordance with a plant’s absorption level in the process of photosynthesis. Blue LEDs are for growing vegetables, fruits or flowers to the best of their production. However, many of these kind of lamps might not provide the best kind of brightness, and may not be effective enough. HPS lamps or High pressure sodium lamps can only be used for the second or productive phase of growth for plants. The hindrance caused by this is that the plants become taller and have more intermodal length from within due to excess exposure to this kind of light. Thus, this is best used for vegetables and other flowering plants which give a lot of produce so that they can develop and nurture better under the influence of this kind of lighting. The use of light meters can also be made in order to keep a check on the amount of lighting being delivered on the plants to make sure that they are in the right environment at all times and remain healthy. Plant watering: The drip system requires a little amount of in depth research in order to give best results for the greenhouse. This has to be installed manually, although some amount of cost may be put in if the customer wishes for someone to do it for him. Minimal costs are required in the actual setting up; however, taps and hoses need to be fixed in order to ensure constant supply and flow of water into the gutters. This is a very viable option for the daily, day time needs of plants for water. The soil will almost always remain moist in this case, and plant will remain refreshed. The overhead spray system should be installed on the roof in order to ensure spraying of water once in a while especially during the hot months. It is also necessary to make other purchases like that of hoses and pipes. A timer and regulator is also required to regulate the flow of water during hand watering which should be carried out at least once a week in order to manually keep a check on the plants. A cistern may also be built to keep a supply of water for all times. Ventilation: Ventilation inside the greenhouse can be brought about wither by natural winds or by installation of fans and vents. Fans have to be put on either side of the greenhouse in order to have better flow of air within the building. Side vents, on the sides of the greenhouse, must be installed in order to give maximum amount of benefit for the changing of air inside the greenhouse. Installing of vents is very simple and they can be found easily in stores. This requires setting up of rows of aluminum or any other metal for the transfer of air inside and outside the greenhouse. It is not a very costly affair and is something that cannot be compromised on in order to achieve best results because the plants require proper exchange of gases during the photosynthesis process. Heating: Heaters need to be installed inside the greenhouses to maintain the temperatures during the cold months. Greenhouse heaters can be bought at local stores that sell products for greenhouses or can even be bought and shipped online. It is better to invest in something good and expensive because these machines do not need to be changed very soon or often, and just require some amount of maintenance from time to time in terms of cleanliness and to check whether they are functioning properly. Consultation Lighting: For maintaining safety within the greenhouse even during the dark, it has been stated that many gardeners and people attach solar lights to the path leading to or inside the greenhouse or carry a torch in order to be safe. Plant watering: In order to practice proper sustainability of water, it must be conserved as much as it can, for this purpose, a cistern has been said to be constructed so that it can act as storage for all the water that is not being used. Also, a gutter could be constructed on the side of the greenhouse where excess water or any spills can be directed right into the water in the cistern so that that is also collected and can be stored for later use. Care must also be taken to avoid excess spillage of water because it can cause minor hazards like slipping. Ventilation: Vents need to be purchased from proper greenhouse accessories stores because if they are not attached and installed properly, then the entire system might fail to work causing a lot of damage to finances as well as the plants. Standards for proper maintenance of air supply inside a green house have to be adhered to. Heating: Heaters must be installed properly with proper electrical standards in order to get best results and also ensure that the voltage or wattage does not cause any problems. Solar power can be used to run the heaters as well, but then it will not do much good because these heaters are required during the winter months when there is not much sun out. Design Lighting: We will make use of three kinds of lights; LED, HPS and metal halide lamps for the greenhouse. The specifications of the same have been mentioned above. LED lights are the cheapest as compared to the other two sets of lights, and can be easily bought. They do not have to be shipped from elsewhere, and installation is also quite easy. These lights will provide light to the more light weight plants, situated right at the beginning of the greenhouse. In terms of performance these lights are good for vegetables and flowering plants and so these can be placed on both sides just at the start of the greenhouse. HPS and metal halide lamps can be used within the confines of the greenhouse. They are slightly more expensive, but are also readily available. They can be fitted in the insides of the greenhouse towards the end because that is the part that is mostly blocked from natural heat and sunlight as well. The lights have to be maintained well and cleaned on a monthly basis. They need to be regularly checked in order to see whether they are in good condition and with the help of a light meter, the amount of light and heat reaching the plants can also be regulated in accordance to the kind of plants that there are in the greenhouse. These lights are sure to give a very good performance and make the best of the plants in the greenhouse. Some cost will be required during the time of installation, but once installed, they are good to go. These lights can be controlled with the help of electricity from solar panels; however this might prove to be a little expensive at the time of startup but will provide good results. Even then, solar power can only be used during the day. So in order to cut down on costs, electricity from this power can be used to run the LED, HPS and halide lamps, and during colder, darker days, normal generate electricity can be used for the same in order to give maximum output. Plant watering: An underground cistern shaped according to the extra area space should be built on the side of the greenhouse in order to provide water supply. Overhead sprays should be attached to the roof in a befitting manner. The best kind of sprays at work would be the ones that provide complete spraying to the entire length of the greenhouse. This means that the sprays have to be installed on a length-breadth of 16m x 6m on the apex roof for best use. It is better that they be installed all over in order to give all the plants the necessary amounts of water that they require. Since the roof is an apex or conical in shape from the sides, the sprays have to be attached on either side of it in order to be completely of use. Hoses of long lengths (length equal to a little more than that of the entire greenhouse’s length) should be bought for best use, so that it can be carried around the greenhouse and used with ease. A timer has to be used to regulate the amount of water being used, especially if sprays are used because over watering can cause damage to the plants. Care has to be taken to ensure that there is no splashing because that not only causes wastage of water, but also leads to a lot of slippery ground and leaves the greenhouse really dirty. Ventilation: Installing a louver right at the opposite end of the greenhouse will give a lot of good air flow into the greenhouse. This can also be brought about by installing side air vents (on all four sides of the greenhouse) according to the length and breadth of the building constructed. Also, a louver can be positioned properly near the dense vegetables and plants because they require more air than the other light weight plants. Hinged vents should be avoided because they might end up hurting people or causing damages. Automatic openers also must be attached on the ventilators so that they can open and close on their own according to the amount of air needed or required to be changed inside the greenhouse. A fan may also be fitted into the sides of the greenhouse at either end to allow for better air flow during the dry months so that the fans help the air to pass in and out of the greenhouse thus replacing the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air. Heating: A proper central heating system inside the greenhouse has to be installed for the best results to be achieved. A unit space heater can be placed inside the greenhouse in order to blanket the entire area with the help of warm air during the cold months. The heating system also has to be attached to the ventilation system in a way that the really warm air is able to travel outside so that exchange of gases can take place. For this purpose, either a steam heater or a water heating system can also be used where the water or condensed steam provides moist as well as warmth to the plants. This is a very cost effective and sustainable way of use because it provides water and heating at the same time along with providing a plan for ventilation as well. In conclusion, greenhouses are very important, especially for cold countries and that is why, with the scope of the entire product design specification provided here, we hope to carry on the construction of a greenhouse in order to grow more crops and increase the level of output of vegetation produced. By doing this, we hope to gain more experience and help to carry on producing more, and at the same time, treat plants with respect and help them undergo the process of photosynthesis. Appendices References: Simmons, Joey. ‘Greenhouse Lighting and more’ Article dashboard, [online] Available at http://article-dashboard.com/Article/Greenhouse-Lighting-And-More/41573 [Accessed January 19 2011] ‘Greenhouse Safety’, Safe Gardening, [online] Available at http://www.safegardening.co.uk/greenhouse-safety.html [online] [Accessed January 19 2011] Baelde, Louanne. ‘Watering the Greenhouse’ Buzzle.com [online] Available at http://www.buzzle.com/articles/watering-greenhouse.html [Accessed January 19 2011] D. E . Buffington, R. A. Bucklin, R. W. Henley and D. B. McConnell ‘Greenhouse Ventilation’ [online] Available at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae030 [online] [Accessed January 19 2011] Teitel, Meir. ‘Greenhouse ventilation and cooling’, Sciverse [Online] Available at http://www.scitopics.com/Greenhouse_ventilation_and_cooling.html [Accessed January 19 2011] Roy J.C. et al. (2002). Convective and Ventilation Transfers in Greenhouses, Part 1: the Greenhouse considered as a Perfectly Stirred Tank. Biosystems Engineering, 83, 1-20. Read More