June 2021 - 25

STRUCTURES & EQUIPMENT
the settings accordingly. More
sophisticated control systems
can collect, interpret and analyze
the data and make the necessary
adjustments. There are more capital
expenses associated with these
more sophisticated systems. Also,
for growers who are producing year
round, the climate is fluctuating
over the course of the year so the
greenhouse control system should
be able to adjust. The control
system should be able to control
under changing climates and assure
the environment demanded by the
crop and production outcomes. "
Kacira says the greenhouse
technology should match up with
the environmental control system
that is being integrated.
" A grower isn't going to want
to install a low-cost or low-tech
environmental control system with
a high-tech production system and
vice versa, " he says. " The systems
have to be balanced and have to
match their capabilities.
" A grower doesn't want to
install an environmental control
system that is limited to only a few
control modes when the structure
and production system are more
technically advanced to do much
more. The controller should be able
to deliver what the greenhouse
is expecting for environmental
control. At the same time a grower
doesn't want to incorporate a
more sophisticated environmental
control computer with a low-tech
greenhouse which would be overkill.
There has to be a balance in regards
to the environmental controller and
the equipment installed to control
the environment in a cost effective
and technical way. "
KNOW YOUR SYSTEMS'
CAPABILITIES
A user's capability to operate an
environmental control system needs
to be considered when choosing
a system.
" The user has to be able to realize
the optimal or the dimensional
capacity of the controller in order to
be able to control the environment, "
Kacira says. " The user needs to be
properly trained on how to utilize
the system. This includes the service
and support that is provided after
A Powerful, Inspiring
Networking Experience
Monday, July 12 @ 12 - 1:30 PM*
Join us for this educational networking event for women in the green
industry. After a brief inspirational talk, Leslie Halleck will facilitate a
panel discussion with accomplished women in horticulture who will
share lessons they've learned while navigating their careers.
*Event ticket required: $65, includes lunch
Learn More At
CultivateEvent.org/WiH
Meet Our Panel
Leslie Halleck
Halleck Horticultural, LLC
- Speaker & Moderator -
Lisa Minter-Bustin
Minter Country Garden
Terri McEnaney
Bailey Nurseries Inc.
the installation of the control
system so growers can maximize
the use of the technology they
have selected.
" It's like any other piece of
sophisticated equipment such
as the options on a car, phone,
personal computer or camera. A
grower doesn't want to be using
only 5% of the capabilities of the
environmental control system.
Growers need to be made aware
of the capabilities that both the
control system and the crop
production system have, otherwise
they're wasting the money spent
on the systems. Growers also
have to know which options are
available and how they can use
them in their operations. And just
like any consumer, growers need
to do their homework in regards
to the systems available and which
is best suited for their production
Leslie Herndon
Greenscape Inc.
Suzi McCoy
Garden Media Group
Thank you to our Key Sponsor:
Thank you to our Media Sponsor:
http://www.CultivateEvent.org/WiH
June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2021
