Lesson 3
Using Automated Systems
in the Greenhouse
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)
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.
Terms
Automated pot fillers
Automated seeders
Automated transplanters
Capillary mats
Conveyor belt system
Drip irrigation
Ebb and flood
Terms
Intermittent mist system
Irrigation booms
Overhead sprinklers
Spaghetti tubing
Tray mechanization
Intermittent mist system
Irrigation booms
Overhead sprinklers
Spaghetti Tubing
Tray Mechanization
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.
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.
Automated systems also allow for the
management of much larger
greenhouse operations.
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.
Automated Pot Filler
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 transplanters remove small
plants from plug trays and
transplant them directly to
pots.
What systems are used in moving
plants in the greenhouse?
One of the most laborintensive 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.
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?
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
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.
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
What are some advantages of automated
systems?
What types of automated systems are
used in planting processes?
What are some advantages of automated
systems?
What automated systems are used in
watering plants?
The End!