US (NY): Holmquest Farm to unveil new, state-of-the-art greenhouse
According to Tom Holmes they will provide the same products they did from the greenhouses that stood on the site previously - annuals perennials and vegetables, but with much more space.
The building, construction of which began last October, encloses 15,000 square feet with much wider aisles making it more retail-friendly, and a taller roof that allows for more air volume and gradual temperature changes, which is better for the plants. The roof line is in three peaks and when it rains, water is collected and diverted to a storage pond that is used to water the plants. The rain provides 9,000 gallons of water to the storage pond.
The greenhouse, designed by the Nexus Greenhouse Systems of Colorado, has a computerised climate-control system that automatically opens and closes vents and keeps the air temperature and humidity constant.
The sound of gears are heard when standing in the middle of the greenhouse with warm sun shining brightly through the glass, which turn as the peak of the roof automatically opens a few inches to allow heat to escape. The sides of the building automatically open and close, as well.
In the evening, as the sun sets and the outside air begins to cool, a heat curtain, like an attic, closes and keeps the warm air down next to the plants.
Walking through the aisles, Holmes points out the flood tables. For certain of the flowers, the roots will be flooded for a short period of time, allowing the roots to get water and preventing damage to the delicate flower petals that overhead watering would cause.
As the water is drained back, the fertilizer is carried with it, stored and reused at the next watering. The greenhouse is powered by an array of solar panels purchased from Sundog Solar and installed in November 2011. The panels provide 15 kilowatts, any excess being sold back to the grid in the form of energy credits.
Source: registerstar.com