Posts Tagged greenhouses

Greenhouse Cold Frames

The scientific study has said that the universe expands day by day. Literally it may mean the abiotic component but the actual fact is that it is shrinking. Actually speaking the population of man in this universe is increasing greatly. Man being the one to create problem in every aspect of the ecosystem always tries to find an alternative to compensate the loss. Greenhouse is one such beautiful finding made by man to grow plants effectively. Greenhouse, by the name it suggests that it is a house for growing the green. Many would be familiar of the phrase, “Grow green or else we ruin”. Greenhouse has given each and every human being a wonderful platform to cultivate plants.

Basic forms:

A greenhouse has two basic forms. One is attached greenhouse and other is a standalone greenhouse. In attached greenhouse the power supply is supplied from the house itself where as in case of a standalone greenhouse the power supply and all the other accessories has to be supplied separately. These types of standalone greenhouses can be made where there is sufficient space to have an individual green house. Greenhouse can be built using either plastics or by means of glass. The photo chromatic technique that can be employed in glass makes it preferable over plastics. The basic concept behind the photochromatization is nothing but SMA. SMA is the abbreviation of shape memory alloys. Shape memory alloys are also known as super alloys. These substances have the natural tendency to adjust to the situations that prevail and act accordingly.

Basic models:

The two basic models of greenhouse are cold frames and rack. Cold frames are set out in situations were there is less amount of space where as in case of racks ample space for setting of greenhouse is a must. The greenhouse cold frames constitute to the simplest and cheapest forms of greenhouse. By the name it suggests that it is suitable for growing of plants that requires cold climate. Cold frames are normally used for early sprouting of the seeds, growth of herbs and so on. It is so important for certain plants that the temperature within in the house doesn’t go beyond a particular temperature. So for cultivating those kinds of plants cold frames are very important. The glass panels adjust so as to allow only a small amount of sunlight to enter the greenhouse thereby preventing the damage of plants. Hence greenhouse cold frames are more preferred ones amongst the farmers.

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Small Greenhouses UK

In today’s world wherever you go the slogans depicted here and there is, go the green way, save tree save future and so on. The most popular phrase that everyone would have experienced is, “you aren’t the last human being to survive in this world”. This clearly sets out the message to save the future. So as an early wake up call, preparations for the future have to be made. Greenhouses have come at right time, which can be implemented in the future even if there is no space available to cultivate the plants.

Greenhouse concept:

What is this greenhouse concept? Greenhouse is nothing but kind of a house wherein plants can be cultivated. What makes it very special is that we can set a greenhouse in a place whichever is suitable for growing plants. Greenhouse is not a house, which is built by means of cement bricks etc. Greenhouse is a house, which is built using either by glass sheets or plastic sheets that are transparent. Glass sheets used are well-defined ones where as the plastic sheets are usually made of polyethylene or PMMR’S. Plastic sheets are strong and stiff longitudinally but not as strong as in transverse direction. So this paves the way for glass sheets as a common material to be employed in making of greenhouses. The small greenhouses uk made out of glass sheets are also known as glasshouses. Glasshouses can be interconnected to a computer and optimal parameters can be maintained so as to help the growth of plants. Greenhouses can be classified into two types: large greenhouse and small greenhouse. Small greenhouses are the common sight in United Kingdom. One can notice as many number of greenhouses if he turns out to a trip to United Kingdom. The very fact, which makes it most popular, is the space constraint, attracting as many no of people to own it. Greenhouses are used widely in UK for the cultivation of decorative flowers, vegetables and so on. Small greenhouses are employed by small farmers to gain more money from. Many ask what is the advantage of a greenhouse? The advantage of growing plants in a greenhouse is that crops can be cultivated in all climatic conditions thereby we can have an edge over the others who conventionally grow the plants. Based on the weather the conditions the greenhouse can be modified perfectly so as to help the plants to get the nutrients in a balanced proportion. Hence small greenhouse has attracted many in UK.

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Greenhouse Accessories

In countries, which have severe cold weather prevailing it is difficult to grow plants. So in countries like those they mostly feed on animals for their eating. In cases of eating a vegetable, there a unique method followed in these countries to grow the vegetables. The use greenhouse in these regions is popular. Greenhouse is nothing but a closed room more often a building is meant where the whole building is made up glasses. The main purpose of the greenhouse is that it traps the sunlight falling in the region and never allows it to escape. So the room is warmer than the surroundings. This is usually done to grow the plants, which require a higher temperature than the surrounding temperature.

Items required for building a greenhouse:

The greenhouse is a structure, which is fully made up of glass. The main criteria for building such a one is that the fixtures made and the joints must be very strong. And the joints in the greenhouse must be aesthetic and the most appropriate material of selection is Aluminum. This is due to the fact that it is cheaper and the effectiveness of it in trapping the sunlight. Soil in the area must be most suited and since the plant that is to be grown is of the high temperature dependent plant it is advised to burn the soil with waste garden products before building.

Other Accessories:

Foundation kits:

In cases of plants, which do not grow in the soil condition of the particular place, it is grown with the soil from other areas. In such cases foundation kits are required. These foundation kits must fit stable and secure. In such cases the plastic foundation kits are most suited ones.

Roof vents:

In case of the greenhouse it is a closed room so aeration is of a big problem. So in the greenhouses roof vents are provided to solve this problem. It increases air circulation in a great amount.

Louvre window:

These types of window are placed in the rear side of the entrance. This is for two reasons. One is that it provides with increased aeration and the other is that it is for its aesthetic appeal.

Shade cloth and Shelves:

The weather is prone to change and in that situations shade cloth is required. It closes the entire greenhouse so by protecting the plants. For proper maintenance shelves are required. These are available as a set itself. They can be utilized for it.

Climate control:

The purpose of a climate controller is to provide the plants with proper temperature watering and air. This is advanced equipment seen in many greenhouses.

Greenhouse is a place to grow plants in cold weather. It is mainly made up of glass and aluminum fittings. The other accessories required are foundation kit, climate controller, roof vents, shade cloth and other things. From this it makes a complete set of greenhouse.

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Greenhouse Pest Control

Greenhouses are gaining sufficient importance in the recent years. People are ready to adopt new techniques of plantation that tends to involve some amount of initial investments. As in any plantation, there are opportunities for the entry of pests. One needs to know more about the common pests that attack the plants that shelter under the greenhouses. The entry of pests in the ambient atmosphere within the greenhouses can lead to several other complications related to the growth of plants.

Greenhouse Pest Control

Greenhouse pest control involves the effective management of pest control techniques for elimination of the common greenhouse pests. Several techniques adopted in control of green house pests involve the use of sprays to control spread of pests. Certain insects involve use of soap preparations to wash off the green parts of the plant. Organic chemical scan also be sprayed to nullify certain pests.  Constant monitoring is required to make sufficient control measures for plants in green houses. Life cycle of certain pests is to be carefully monitored in order to plan for effective control methods. Development of the beneficial insects can be solution to tackle certain pests. The predators can be used to stop the attack of pests like aphids.

Common Greenhouse Pests

The common greenhouse pests involve aphids and scale inspects. The morphological features of the insects vary depending on the habitat that it survives. The common greenhouse pests like fungus gnats require presence of moisture around the plants, which encourages the growth and spread of fungus gnats. These tend to occupy the soil surface drying up all the organic matter present in soil. This greatly affects the growth of younger plants. Providing interrupted water supply can provide the pests inaccessible. Also the plant can be offered great defense by doing so. Sticky traps can be used to prevent the entry of some common greenhouse pests.

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Protected Vegetable Cultivation – Part 2 / 2

While choosing the crops to be planted, it is important to choose the varieties which are appropriate for the growing season and have a potential of healthy growing, high productivity and long shelf-life. The appropriate sowing time for tomato changes depending on the growing environment and region. Read the rest of this entry »

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Protected Vegetable Cultivation – Part 1 / 2

Vegetable and fruit growing and ornament planting in low and high systems under environmental conditions created by eliminating external climatic factors is called protected cultivation. Among these systems, there are high constructions protected by glass or plastic, which are called greenhouses. As more crops can be harvested using protected vegetable growing than outdoor agriculture, income increases likewise. In protected vegetable cultivation, tomato growing comes first. Then comes cucumber, eggplant, melon, squash and watermelon growing. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Protected Cultivation of Fresh Beans

Up until recently, fresh beans were grown on the bottom of columns in greenhouses as intermediate products in order to utilize space. However, for the last few years, fresh bean cultivation has been accomplished via the monoculture method. Fresh beans are not selective in soil and can thrive in sandy, sandy loam and humus soil. Bean growing is more difficult in salty soils.

Speaking of salt, irrigation water should not be salty either. Beans grow well under 6.1 – 7.4 pH degrees and are sensitive to cold. The minimum temperature required for seed germination is 50 F while the optimum temperature required is 68 F – 77 F during their development period and 64 – 68F during their flowering period. The temperature of the soil should be 64 F.

Fresh beans are not selective during the duration of daylight exposure. In greenhouses, fresh beans are grown in warm seasons (particulary in spring) by shadowing them. In this way, the temperature in a greenhouse is reduced during hot weather. On the other hand, there is no need for shadowing during the autumn season.

Beans do not like excessive humidity

Beans do not like excessive humidity during their flowering period since this causes the failure of their seed set. However, they require 60 – 70% water in the soil they are planted in. Irrigation should be done accordingly. There should not be much air current or a high level of humidity/temperature.

There are two cropping periods to consider when fresh beans are grown in a greenhouse — the fall season and the spring season. Cropping is done in the middle of September during the autumn and in the middle of December during the springtime.

The greenhouse in which the fresh beans are grown must be solarized or disinfected with chemicals during the summer, just as it is typically done for the other greenhouse products.

In addition, the ventilation windows of the greenhouse should be covered with a material which will allow air to enter but discourage insects from passing through (particularly during the fall season in order to protect against viruses). After tilling the soil for plantation, masuras are must be prepared for the double-row method with spacings of 45x20x15 inches.

One hour before drilling, soil should be left under warm chemical water in order to protect against diseases and harmful factors. 1-2 swollen seeds must be placed into each planting hole and covered with soil. Soil should not be humid during this process. Watering should not be done until the seeds are germinated and the cotyledon and first set of real leaves come up. Otherwise, seed decaying occurs due to excess water.

What to do, When the seedlings have 2 to 3 leaves ?

When the seedlings have 2 to 3 leaves, hoeing should be done. Trellising structures should be created by lacing twines on each row. This process should be done expeditiously, otherwise the plants will not grow effectively. Fresh beans have an innate twining quality. Once a bean plant clings to a trellis, it twines around the trellis and grows upright. There is no need for twisting it or pruning. Water should be given in small portions until the first formation of beans. When the beans begin to grow, they will need more water and thus the amount of water will increased along with the interval time (which will be reduced).

Which chemicals need to use ?

In the production of greenhouse beans, a controlled amount of organic fertilizers must be added to the soil. Prior to greenhouse solarization, 4-5 tons of stall fertilizer should be applied per thousand square meters.
Upon the first real irrigation, irrigation as well as fertilization should be applied during the growing period.
In one growing period, a total of  8-12 kg nitrogen (N), 10-12 kg phosphorus (P2O5) and 12-15 kg potassium (K2O) should be applied in pure form.

In fresh beans, the potential for self fertilization is 99%. Before the plants flower, the male and female organs are mature enough for fertilization and once the fertilization process is accomplished, flowers develop. Dry and hot weather during the fertilization period have a negative impact on the fruit set. The fruit (which is a bean) becomes small, it curls up, and then it turns yellow and falls off.

In fresh bean growing, beans should be harvested when they are mature and green. The fruit is a bean and there are seeds between the two carpel leaves. Harvesting should not be done before the seeds are filled and before the beans are in their place. There are three typical bean shapes: flat with curled ends, an open C or S letter.

In the event of diseases or pests, chemical control should be taken in accordance with the Technical Guidelines of Agricultural Control.

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The Protected Cultivation of Peppers

Peppers are an important vegetable in that they contain high calorie value, Vitamin C and plentiful mineral substances. Pepper cultivation covers a 15% area of total greenhouse vegetable cultivation. Protected pepper cultivation is generally done in a single crop during the spring seasons. As tomatoes suffer from a higher percentage of viruses during the fall season, spring is the preferred season to grow peppers. In greenhouses, registered varieties or varieties with production permits (as well as hybrid seeds) are used. The first requirement for success in pepper cultivation is to choose the variety most appropriate for the season and then set out to grow healthy and robust seedlings. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Protected Cultivation of Squash

Squash cultivation is economical during fall, early spring and single-crop seasons. The appropriate drilling periods are September during the Fall season, the end of October, the beginning of November (in a single crop season) and the middle of December during the early spring season. Squash seedlings are grown in the same manner as that of cucumber seedlings. However, as there is a considerable risk of viruses during the fall season, seedlings need to be covered with a fine muslin or a mosquito net for protection against white flies.

Squash plants should be trellised using string in order to maximize space and pruning is not necessary. However, fruit flowers which are not inseminated on the plant and thus not able to grow should be picked up and discarded (as these are the most appropriate environments for the development of grey mould and white mould, which are serious diseases found in greenhouses). Additionally, squash does not like too much heat.

On the other hand, squash grows well in low temperatures but a light frost can cause plants to die, so they must be carefully watched. Male and female flowers, which are on the different parts of the squash plant, need to be pollinated via insects, therefore, unnecessary insecticides should be avoided.

In addition, in January and February during a single crop season (when the environment is not appropriate for insemination), it is possible to promote fruit sets by using 4 CPA hormone application with the dosage of 20 PPM to newly emerged female flowers. Squash should be harvested once every 3 three weeks (at the latest) during winters and once every two weeks during other seasons. Harvesting should be accomplished via a knife and fruit should not be harmed. In addition, during seasons with high temperatures, harvesting should be done early in the morning.

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The Protected Cultivation of Eggplant

Eggplant varieties grown in greenhouses are expensive because they are generally hybrid eggplants. Therefore, healthy seedlings should be generated without harming the seeds. Drilling can be done either by scattering the seeds into boxes by hand (under appropriate temperatures) or by using the row planting system.

After drilling, the area must be covered with compost screened to 1/5 inch particles. Plants should be kept out of Read the rest of this entry »

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