Where Do Plants Come From?
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The history of growing plants for indoors is not new, but
the way plants are grown is a constantly evolving process. While greenhouse operations exist in
every state in the US, the majority of plants are grown in the State of Florida
.The primary reason for this is that tropical plants can only grow in warmer
climates and the cost of heating a space measured in acres as opposed to square
feet, has always been an expensive undertaking. Until recently, a good reason to grow plants in Florida has
been affordable land value; however, the cost of land has risen significantly
over the last 20 years.
Most nurserymen or growers, erect simple shade houses
consisting of posts, cable and fabric sheets called shade cloth. The shade cloth is custom sized and
designed to block a specified percentage of sun light that otherwise would be
too intense for most plant production. During periods of cold weather, the shade house is
outfitted with heavy plastic sheeting to provide insulation.
While the shade house is economically designed, we see an
increase in the use of state of the art greenhouse structures consisting of
steel and insulated double pane polycarbonate or fiberglass walls and roofing. Though far more expensive to construct,
the grower has more control over the internal environment. Whether a shade house or greenhouse,
the modern plant operation may utilize computer technology to control automated
irrigation and fertilization schedules. Several nurseries employ sensitive light reading systems
integrated to mechanized shade panels that adjust to light level changes such
as cloud cover; so the grower can control precise levels of light that are best
for the given crop. Many nurseries use robotic planting machines that meter out
custom media blends and plant young plants or cuttings into pots with
spellbinding speed. While
technology helps the grower produce plants of the highest quality, growing
plants is still an art form as growers put into practice trade secrets and other
techniques that science cannot fully explain. One grower explains the meshing
of technology and art with this statement: "Somebody has got to program the
computer!"
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Keep it Green and Healthy!
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Occupancy and Retention