1. Using Automated Systems in the Greenhouse
Lesson 3
Using Automated Systems in the Greenhouse

2. 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)

3. 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.

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

5. Terms Intermittent mist system Irrigation booms Overhead sprinklers
Spaghetti tubing
Tray mechanization
Spaghetti Tubing
Tray Mechanization

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

9. 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.

10. Automated Pot Filler

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

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

18. The End!