November December 2024 - 14

STRUCTURES
Greenhouse growers of spring plants have implemented a second
growing layer with plants on the floor and overlaying rolling
benches that can be moved outside.
Some growers can implement a three-tier
production system with plant production overhead,
on the floor and on roll-out benches.
move the benches manually, but the
system can be motorized if there is
a large greenhouse and the grower
wants to do this on a larger scale. "
This is commonly done with spring
bedding plants, and since the nights
in the Northeast can be cold, plants
will need some heating inside to
maintain the right temperature for
the crops, Both said. " Rolling the
benches outdoors can be done
multiple times a day if the weather
is changing and the plants need to
be protected. "
This system enables growers to
double their production area in the
greenhouse with plants on the floor
and on benches, Both said, helping to
generate more income. If the weather
is bad for an extended period of time
and the top layer of plants can't be
rolled outside, the bottom layer of
plants could get very little light.
DON'T OVERLOOK SPACE
In most greenhouses there is a
central walkway and narrower aisles
14 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 GPNMAG.COM
in the production bays where growers
can gain access to the plants.
" This is all prime space, " Both said.
" For some growers, this might be
important space for accessing and
moving plants around. However, if a
grower doesn't need this space all
the time for moving things, it could be
considered growing space. Pots or flats
are placed on the ground in those areas
which are designated as walkways. "
Some growers are keen on taking
advantage of any space available for
growing plants and using it to increase
their revenue, Both mentioned.
" Walkway and aisle space could be
considered as growing space, making
sure that when materials need to be
moved that there aren't plants in the
way, " he said.
OVERHEAD PRODUCTION
" With overhead production, crops
of hanging baskets, poinsettias,
mums and strawberries can be
grown above plants on the floor
or on benches, " Parris said. The
majority of greenhouse structures
can accommodate overhead hanging
basket systems, and there are ways
to reinforce the structure frame if
needed to accommodate for overhead
production, he continued.
If growers are only producing
a single layer of crops on the
greenhouse floor or benches, they are
missing out on additional volume in the
production space that could be used
for overhead production, Both said.
" There is some light reduction
because hanging baskets will intercept
some of the light that will not reach
the plants being grown underneath on
the floor or benches, " he said.
But, growers can manage overhead
plant spacing and light levels to limit
the impact. It's possible to implement
a three-tier production system with
plant production overhead, on the
floor and on the rolling benches that
can be moved outdoors, Both said. In
this case, a grower will maximize the
amount of plant material produced in
a single greenhouse.
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November December 2024

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