November December 2023 - 12

LIGHTING
Greenhouse Control
STRIVING
for Optimal
Strategies growers can use to reduce the energy inputs needed
BY A.J. BOTH
A
fter labor costs, energy is typically the second
largest expense in greenhouse crop production.
Mechanization and automation can help reduce
labor requirements as long as the technology is costeffective.
The economics of such technology investments
will depend on the number of units that need to be
processed and the resulting quality of the end product.
Finding the right solutions can be challenging,
especially when unanticipated outside factors (e.g.,
politics, war, pandemic) directly or indirectly impact
greenhouse operations. While the choices between labor
and technology are important, this article will focus on
strategies growers can use to reduce the energy inputs
needed to successfully grow greenhouse crops.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Plants perform best when their environment is
maintained within an optimal temperature range. This
range can vary depending on plant species and variety
and involves the temperature of the surrounding air, the
temperature of the canopy and the temperature of the root
zone. For convenience, many greenhouses are controlled
based on the air temperature because it is relatively easy to
get an accurate reading.
But the greenhouse air temperature typically varies
depending on where the measurement is taken (it is often
cooler near ventilation inlets and warmer closer to the
roof) and is therefore not always a good representation of
what the crop experiences. Therefore, sensor location is an
12 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 GPNMAG.COM
Using a computerized system to control the temperature in a
greenhouse is preferred, but adding a regular thermometer is an
effective visual reminder. Photographs by A.J. Both.
important factor. In most greenhouses, the volume of air
inside is much larger than the volume taken up by the crop.
Thus, using the air temperature to control the heating and
cooling systems may result in additional costs compared
to the case where the control decisions are based on
information about what the crop is experiencing.
For example, controlling the greenhouse environment
based on the crop canopy temperature may result in lower
energy costs and higher crop quality. While measuring
the canopy temperature is a little trickier than measuring
the air temperature, equipment is available from various
vendors that can accurately report this information.

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November December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November December 2023

Table of Contents
Editor's Report | All Good Things...
Industry News | AmericanHort: Nurturing New Hires
Duets | Greenhouse Energy Curtains
Technically Speaking | Crop Acclimation
Lighting | Striving for Optimal Greenhouse Control
Varieties | First Year Flowering Perennials
2024 Guide to Cannabis Production
Plant Health | Cannabis Plant Nutrition
Lighting | Cannabis Water Use Efficiency Under More Supplemental Light
Climate Control | Maximizing the Greenhouse
State of the Cannabis Industry
Advertiser Index - 2024 Guide to Cannabis Production
Great Lakes EXPO | Biological Control Against Unwanted Pests
Culture Report | Romantica Ball Gown
Vaughn's View | Perennial Parade
Product Marketplace
Classifieds/Ad Index
November December 2023 - 1
November December 2023 - 2
November December 2023 - Table of Contents
November December 2023 - Editor's Report | All Good Things...
November December 2023 - 5
November December 2023 - Industry News | AmericanHort: Nurturing New Hires
November December 2023 - Duets | Greenhouse Energy Curtains
November December 2023 - 8
November December 2023 - 9
November December 2023 - Technically Speaking | Crop Acclimation
November December 2023 - 11
November December 2023 - Lighting | Striving for Optimal Greenhouse Control
November December 2023 - 13
November December 2023 - 14
November December 2023 - 15
November December 2023 - Varieties | First Year Flowering Perennials
November December 2023 - 17
November December 2023 - 18
November December 2023 - 2024 Guide to Cannabis Production
November December 2023 - 2A
November December 2023 - Plant Health | Cannabis Plant Nutrition
November December 2023 - 4A
November December 2023 - 5A
November December 2023 - Lighting | Cannabis Water Use Efficiency Under More Supplemental Light
November December 2023 - 7A
November December 2023 - 8A
November December 2023 - 9A
November December 2023 - Climate Control | Maximizing the Greenhouse
November December 2023 - 11A
November December 2023 - State of the Cannabis Industry
November December 2023 - 13A
November December 2023 - Advertiser Index - 2024 Guide to Cannabis Production
November December 2023 - 15A
November December 2023 - 16A
November December 2023 - 19
November December 2023 - Great Lakes EXPO | Biological Control Against Unwanted Pests
November December 2023 - 21
November December 2023 - 22
November December 2023 - 23
November December 2023 - Culture Report | Romantica Ball Gown
November December 2023 - 25
November December 2023 - Vaughn's View | Perennial Parade
November December 2023 - 27
November December 2023 - 28
November December 2023 - 29
November December 2023 - Product Marketplace
November December 2023 - 31
November December 2023 - 32
November December 2023 - 33
November December 2023 - Classifieds/Ad Index
November December 2023 - 35
November December 2023 - 36
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