With seeds sown i can concentrate on the layout of the greenhouse. Once i put a plant into a system it will be a nightmare to move it so it's best getting it right from the start. I found it took longer planning the greenhouse layout than it did moving all the systems back in.
To tackle things methodically i looked at things i would use most often. Starting off with the 350l waterbutt that i use to top up my tanks with, storing water in the waterbutt allows the water to reach room temperature and any chlorine to evaporate. The waterbutt also holds the water to both my HR-15 humidification systems. I chose to position the waterbutt in the centre against the backwall of the greenhouse because thats the least distance for me to travel with buckets of water, and both humidifiers point to either end of the greenhouse to distribute the humidity evenly and effectively.
The next choice i made was because the greenhouse is a display greenhouse i wanted it to look good when you walk in. I thought that putting the IWS Systems either side of the waterbutt would present some symmetry when entering the greenhouse. It also display the 3 sizes of waterbutts that we stock.
Last years banana plant grew massive and hopefully this year it will too. Taking this into consideration i had to position it at the far end of the greenhouse under the apex of the roof where the greenhouse is at it's tallest.
Since this picture was taken i've done a bit of shuffling around of systems. I swapped the drip system with the NFT Multi-Duct 601 because i have set the drip system up as a 'run-to-waste' systems and it makes life easier for me when it is near the door and i can run a hose out of the catchment tray.
Using a vertical grow system such as the coliseum must be positioned facing the sun when not using artificial light and again i run it to waste straight out the door.
Another thing i had to consider was planting density, which plants were off in what systems, how many plants will fit in the system and how much space will the plants require at their mature size.
It can be quite hard to visualize all those factors when your plants start off so small. I like to give myself room to manouvre around the plants but i also like the jungle look in the greenhouse.
To tackle things methodically i looked at things i would use most often. Starting off with the 350l waterbutt that i use to top up my tanks with, storing water in the waterbutt allows the water to reach room temperature and any chlorine to evaporate. The waterbutt also holds the water to both my HR-15 humidification systems. I chose to position the waterbutt in the centre against the backwall of the greenhouse because thats the least distance for me to travel with buckets of water, and both humidifiers point to either end of the greenhouse to distribute the humidity evenly and effectively.The next choice i made was because the greenhouse is a display greenhouse i wanted it to look good when you walk in. I thought that putting the IWS Systems either side of the waterbutt would present some symmetry when entering the greenhouse. It also display the 3 sizes of waterbutts that we stock.
Last years banana plant grew massive and hopefully this year it will too. Taking this into consideration i had to position it at the far end of the greenhouse under the apex of the roof where the greenhouse is at it's tallest.Since this picture was taken i've done a bit of shuffling around of systems. I swapped the drip system with the NFT Multi-Duct 601 because i have set the drip system up as a 'run-to-waste' systems and it makes life easier for me when it is near the door and i can run a hose out of the catchment tray.
Another thing i had to consider was planting density, which plants were off in what systems, how many plants will fit in the system and how much space will the plants require at their mature size.
It can be quite hard to visualize all those factors when your plants start off so small. I like to give myself room to manouvre around the plants but i also like the jungle look in the greenhouse.
Hi Jamie
ReplyDeleteDo you use a nutri doser of any type? I was looking at the he IntelliDose™ autodoser from Autogrow Systems® in New Zealand but its pricey,
Any suggestions
Roy
Re: http://aquaculture-hydroponics-greenhouse.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHello Jamie,
I am a graphic designer for Maximum Yield magazine (www.maximumyield.com)
and was wondering if you would be interested in letting us publish some of the photos from your blog? We would publish a credit to the photographer as well as the url to your blog. I can be reached by email at alice[at]maximumyield.com
Thanks so much!
Hi Roy i don't use a nutri-doser, i've got loads of tanks each with their own nutrient type and levels. If i had one system running a mono crop a nutrient doser would enable me to keep a constant EC and pH level at all times, which would be ideal. The reality is i have to spend most mornings manually monitoring and readjusting the nutrient levels in each system.
ReplyDeleteAt Aquaculture we sell the IntelliDose unit at £849, there are other units which are cheaper but aren't as flexible. Some will monitor just the EC level and auto dose your basic nutrient without dosing additives etc. Best thing is to compare functionality, reliability and price and match what your require from it.
Hi alice I'd be happy for you to use some images from the greenhouse. What articles would you want to use them in?
ReplyDeleteThis shows that planning is necessary in every stage of growing
ReplyDelete