Using Automated Systems in the Greenhouse

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Lesson 3

• Using Automated Systems in the Greenhouse

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Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards
Addressed!

• RST.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to
  support analysis of science and technical texts,
  attending to important distinctions the author
  makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the
  account. (HS-LS1-1)
• WHST.9-12.7 Conduct short as well as more
  sustained research projects to answer a question
  (including a self-generated question) or solve a
  problem narrow or broaden the inquiry when
  appropriate synthesize multiple sources on the
  subject, demonstrating understanding of
  thesubject under investigation. (HS-LS1-3)
• HSSIC.B.6 Evaluate reports based on data.
  (HS-LS2-6)

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Bell Work/Student Learning Objectives!

• 1. Discuss the advantages of automated systems.
• 2. Identify automated systems involved in
  planting.
• 3. Identify automated systems involved in moving
  plants in the greenhouse.
• 4. Identify automated systems involved in
  watering plants.

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Terms

• Automated pot fillers
• Automated seeders
• Automated transplanters
• Capillary mats
• Conveyor belt system
• Drip irrigation
• Ebb and flood

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Terms

• Intermittent mist system
• Irrigation booms
• Overhead sprinklers
• Spaghetti tubing
• Tray mechanization
• Intermittent mist system
• Irrigation booms
• Overhead sprinklers
• Spaghetti Tubing
• Tray Mechanization

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Interest Approach

• Think about your household chores. Dusting,
  sweeping, doing the dishes and laundry. How long
  would it take for you to do all of your chores?
  What if your computer could do some or all of it
  for you? How much would you want to invest in a
  system like this? Think about this as you learn
  about using automated systems in greenhouses.

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What are some advantages of automated systems?

• Automated systems incorporate technological
  developments in the production of greenhouse
  crops.
• The labor involved in propagating, potting,
  moving, growing, and harvesting greenhouse crops
  is intensive. Automated systems can greatly
  reduce labor costs.

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• Automated systems also allow for the management
  of much larger greenhouse operations.

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What types of automated systems are used in
planting processes?

• Automated systems speed the planting and
  transplanting process.
• Automated pot fillers are used to fill pots with
  medium. The medium is lightly packed, and the
  pots are stacked or move down a conveyor for
  planting.

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Automated Pot Filler
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• Automated seeders permit the sowing of entire
  flats or plug trays in a few moments. The flats
  or trays move down a conveyor to a germination
  room or are taken right to the greenhouse.
• Automated trans-planters remove small plants from
  plug trays and transplant them directly to pots.

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What systems are used in moving plants in the
greenhouse?

• One of the most labor-intensive tasks in the
  greenhouse is the transporting of plants.
• Conveyor belt systems are used to move plants
  from one area of the greenhouse to another.

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• Tray mechanization, first developed in Holland,
  has grown in popularity in the U.S. Individual
  trays or palletized benches that hold 100 pots or
  more roll on a series of rails from one area to
  another.

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What automated systems are used in watering
plants?

• Although hand watering is the most reliable
  method of watering, automated systems permit the
  watering of thousands of plants in a short period
  of time.
• Types of automated systems
• Spaghetti tubing
• Drip irrigation

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• Spaghetti tubing is an automated system that
  involves small tubes connected to a main line.
  The end of each small tube is placed in a pot,
  and when functioning, dribbles water onto the
  medium. One advantage to spaghetti tubing is the
  flowers and foliage stay dry.

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• Drip irrigation consists of a system like
  spaghetti tubing but it differs in that it
  provides a slow steady drip. Drip irrigation is
  commonly used with hanging baskets. The advantage
  of drip irrigation is it wastes less water and
  fertilizer than spaghetti tubing.

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Review/Summary

• What are some advantages of automated systems?
• What types of automated systems are used in
  planting processes?
• What are some advantages of automated systems?
• What automated systems are used in watering
  plants?

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The End!