Planting
Plastic greenhouses used in Nanhai, Guangdong in 1963
Greenhouses are often used to grow flowers, vegetables, fruits, tobacco plants, etc., and bumblebees are the best pollinators for pollination in greenhouses.
Except for tobacco and above, many vegetables and flowers are grown in greenhouses in late winter and early spring, and transplanted outdoors when the weather warms up. In addition, farmers will also buy and sell at the farmers’ market at this time. Special varieties such as tomatoes grown in greenhouses often become commercial products.
Equipment
The sealed environment in a greenhouse will naturally have unique equipment compared to growing outdoors. Pests, diseases, heat, humidity, etc. are completely controlled and irrigation water is used instead of natural drinking water. One of the important conditions and equipment in a greenhouse is light and heat, especially for tropical vegetables grown in the greenhouse in winter.
The importance of greenhouses in the food supply of high-latitude countries is gradually increasing. The largest synthetic greenhouse in the world is located in southern Ontario, Canada, at high latitudes. There are about 200 acres (0.84 square kilometers) of tomatoes grown in greenhouses. .
Greenhouse ventilation
Ventilation is one of the most important components of a successful greenhouse. Without proper ventilation, a greenhouse and plants can become prone to problems. The main purpose of ventilation is to regulate the optimal level of temperature and ensure the movement of air, thus preventing the accumulation of plant pathogens (such as Botrytis cinerea). Ventilation also ensures a supply of fresh air for photosynthesis and plants, and may make important greenhouse crops accessible for pollination.
Greenhouse heating
Heating, especially in cold climates, is one of the most significant costs. The main issue with greenhouse heating, as opposed to a building with solid opaque walls, is the amount of heat lost through the greenhouse covering. Since the covering is needed to allow light to filter into the structure.
Passive heating methods exist that seek to utilize heat with low energy input. Solar energy can increase temperatures from being captured during periods of relative abundance (daytime/summer) and released during cooler periods (nighttime/winter). The waste heat can also be used to heat livestock in greenhouses, for example, for animal breeding in greenhouses where the animals provide heat.
Electronic controllers are often used to monitor temperature and adjust the conditions under which the furnace operates. This can be as simple as a basic thermostat, but operation in larger greenhouses can be more complex.