Lesson 3 Using Automated Systems in the Greenhouse

Lesson 3 Using Automated Systems in the Greenhouse Reminder: student learning activities are at the end of this power point.

Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed! z 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‐LS 1‐ 1) z 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‐LS 1‐ 3) z HSSIC. B. 6 Evaluate reports based on data. (HS‐LS 2‐ 6)

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Standards Addressed z. PS. 03. 02. Develop and implement a management plan for plant production. y. PS. 03. 02. 05. b. Demonstrate proper techniques to control and manage plant growth through mechanical, cultural or chem y. PS. 03. 02. 06. b. Compare and contrast the types of technologies used for controlled atmosphere production. ical means.

Bell Work/Student Learning Objectives! z 1. Discuss the advantages of automated systems. z 2. Identify automated systems involved in planting. z 3. Identify automated systems involved in moving plants in the greenhouse. z 4. Identify automated systems involved in watering plants.

Terms z. Automated pot fillers z. Automated seeders z. Automated transplanters z. Capillary mats z. Conveyor belt system z. Drip irrigation z. Ebb and flood

Terms z Intermittent mist system z Irrigation booms z Overhead sprinklers z Spaghetti tubing z Tray mechanization z Intermittent mist system z Irrigation booms z Overhead sprinklers

Interest Approach z. 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.

What are some advantages of automated systems? z. Automated systems incorporate technological developments in the production of greenhouse crops. y. The labor involved in propagating, potting, moving, growing, and harvesting greenhouse crops is intensive. Automated systems can greatly reduce labor costs.

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

What types of automated systems are used in planting processes? z. Automated systems speed the planting and transplanting process. y. 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.

Automated Pot Filler

y. 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. y. Automated trans-planters remove small plants from plug trays and transplant them directly to pots.

What systems are used in moving plants in the greenhouse? z One of the most laborintensive tasks in the greenhouse is the transporting of plants. y. Conveyor belt systems are used to move plants from one area of the greenhouse to another.

y. 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.

What automated systems are used in watering plants? z. 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. y. Types of automated systems x. Spaghetti tubing x. Drip irrigation

y. 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.

y. 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.

Review/Summary z. What are some advantages of automated systems? z. What types of automated systems are used in planting processes? z. What are some advantages of automated systems? z. What automated systems are used in watering plants?

The End!

Student Learning Activies z. Sample tests are available in the Lesson Plan tab.

Greenhouse design project z. If you are having your students do the greenhouse design project. They can add this to their project design, what kind of watering system they are going to use. If they are going to use any automated machines, or computer systems.

Egg carton Greenhouse z This is a fun and easy greenhouse activity. what you need for this project is potting soil, seeds, egg carton, and large clear plastic bags or plastic wrap. First you fill the egg carton with the potting soil, then plant the seeds in each section in the carton. Water the soil and then place in a plastic bag or cover with the plastic wrap, then put the carton in the window. Water plants as needed and watch them grow. You can have your students keep track of their plants progress.

What is a conveyer belt system, and how can it help save time in the greenhouse? ________________________________________________________________________ What is an automated trans-planter? ________________________________________________________________________ What is an automated seeder? ________________________________________________________________________ What is an automated pot filler? ________________________________________________________________________ How can automated systems help expand your greenhouse? ________________________________________________________________________ What is an automated system? _______________________________________ 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Answer the following question by ether filling in the blank or answering with a complete sentence. Using Automated Systems in the Greenhouse worksheet Name: ______________

9. 8. 7. _______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Describe the two types of watering systems. ___________ period of time. of _____________ of ___________ in a method of watering, _______________ systems permit the watering Although ____________ watering is the most _____________________________________________ What is the tray mechanization?

Name: ______________ 4. 3. 2. 1. or are taken right to the greenhouse. moments. The flats or trays move down a conveyor to the germination room Automated seeders permit the sowing of entire flats or plut trays in a few What is an automated seeder? planting. lightly packed, and the pots are stacked or move down a conveyor for Automated pot fillers are used to fill pots with medium. The medium is What is an automated pot filler? greenhouse operations. costs. Automated systems also allow for the management of much larger greenhouse crops is intensive. Automated systems can greatly reduce labor The labor involved in propagating, potting, moving, growing, and harvesting How can automated systems help expand your greenhouse? production of greenhouse crops. An automated system incorporate technological developments in the What is an automated system? Answer the following question by ether filling in the blank or answering with a complete sentence. Using Automated Systems in the Greenhouse worksheet KEY

9. 8. 7. 6. 5. is it wastes less water and fertilizer then spaghetti tubing. commonly used with hanging baskets. The advantage of drip irrigation differs in that it provides a slow steady drip. Drip irrigation is Drip irrigation consists of a system like spaghetti tubing but it Drip irrigation advantage to spaghetti tubing is the flowers and foliage stay dry. pot, and when functioning, dribbles water onto the medium. One connected to the main line. The end of each small tube is placed in a Spaghetti tubing is an automated system that involves small tubes Spaghetti tubing Describe the two types of watering systems. watering of thousands of plants in a short period of time. Although hand watering is the most reliable method of watering, automated systems permit the or more roll on a series of rails from one area to another. Tray mechanization, is individual trays or palletized benches that hold 100 pots What is the tray mechanization? transporting of plants. to another. One of the most labor-intensive tasks in the greenhouse is the Conveyor belt systems are used to move plants from one area of the greenhouse What is a conveyer belt system, and how can it help save time in the greenhouse? them directly to pots. Automated trans-planters remove small plants from plug trays and transplant What is an automated trans-planter?