Hort Americas

Far-red is a waveband of light that is marginally visible to us but has profound effects on plant growth and development. Far-red light is often described as radiation with a wavelength between 700 and 800 nanometers (nm). However, the waveband between 700 and 750 nm is of most interest because of its potential to increase plant growth. Use the short guide below to learn more about how far-red light can enhance plant growth and development.

We are very proud to have been working with Connected Cannabis Co. for the past 5 years. There’s quite a difference between doing research for the sake of it and having it fit a business case. This is the crucial lesson Ian Justus learned while working with Driscoll’s, a lesson he has applied as SVP of Cultivation Operations at Connected Cannabis. “At Driscoll’s, I started as a strawberry plant breeder,” he recounts. “But my CEA background surfaced as a unique skill set for the company. That’s how I ended up leading applied research.” In other words, Ian transitioned from breeding new varieties to innovating for commercial growers and commercializing new genetics. Read the complete article here: https://lnkd.in/gVzAuDV5

In this video, you see how to make a nutrient solution from scratch for growing leafy greens hydroponically — perfect for beginners. We cover everything you need to know, from considering your water source to adjusting calcium and sulfate levels. Why Your Water Source Matters Your water may contain high levels of calcium or sulfate, which can affect the balance of your nutrient solution. If needed, we show you how to adjust calcium and sulfate amounts to achieve the ideal mix for healthy plant growth. Getting the Measurements Right The instructions on your fertilizer may not account for your unique water source. We guide you on how to test for pH and electrical conductivity to make sure your solution is optimized. Mixing Ingredients in the Correct Order To make sure your nutrient solution is as effective as possible, it’s important to add each ingredient in a specific order. We explain why this matters and demonstrate the process step-by-step in the video. Special thanks to The University of Arizona, Dr. Murat Kacira, Tilak Mahato, and Dr. Triston Hooks for their help with this video. https://lnkd.in/gSX-Abbv

What is Controlled Environment Agriculture? Ricardo Hernández not only answers this question in the below video, but he also explains how North Carolina State University's Controlled Environment Research Coalition is working with industry partners to solve the grand challenges to make CEA more sustainable and profitable. We are proud to have Christopher Higgins represent Hort Americas and work with all members of the coalition to provide guidance on what tools, services and research are needed to push the USA CEA industry forward. Learn more about the Controlled Environment Research Coalition: https://lnkd.in/gA2fwciV https://lnkd.in/gPtMZUEz

Opel Growers installed Arize Life2 LED grow lights (from Verjure Horticulture Lighting) in their germination chamber and tissue culture acclimation room to improve the quantity and quality of transplant-ready plants. By using these lights, they gained greater control over environmental factors, which helped produce more uniform plants with stronger roots. Besides optimizing growing conditions, this approach also reduced production times and costs, creating a more efficient and reliable cultivation process. Read the full article below on Arize Life2 LED grow lights can help you improve seed germination and tissue culture acclimation. https://lnkd.in/garpAp7K

Using a USDA-REAP grant, TrueHarvest Farms, LLC is installing a solar photovoltaic system that enables the leafy greens grower to reduce its energy costs by as much as $80,000 a year. Read below to get all the details and learn how the USDA help make your greenhouse operation more energy efficient. https://lnkd.in/efUPUpAd

Join Hort Americas Canada, Verjure Horticulture Lighting and Grupodesa (TomSystem) next week at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference in Niagara, Canada. Christopher Higgins, Jordan Goulet, Karla Garcia and Gabrielle Verdon will be there to talk business and answer all your questions.

In this video, we discuss all things calcium when it comes to plant health. Calcium plays a critical role in growth, and deficiencies can wreak havoc on your crops, especially in new leaves and developing areas. We cover common symptoms such as tip burn in lettuce, tip burn in strawberries, and blossom end rot on fruits such as tomatoes and peppers. These issues are often a sign of a calcium deficiency, and solving them goes beyond adjusting your nutrient solution. You also need to address environmental factors that can limit calcium uptake. We explain why nutrient solution mistakes, although uncommon, can sometimes lead to problems, as well as how a slow uptake of calcium and your water source can play a role in deficiency. Calcium toxicity is something you also need to watch out for. Too much calcium in the nutrient solution can cause its own set of challenges. From vine crops to leafy greens, this video gives you all the tips you need to spot calcium issues and prevent them before they damage your harvest.

Help us learn more about your thoughts on CO2 usage in commercial greenhouse production. Fill out the questionnaire: https://lnkd.in/gzBzuvUW

Ever find yourself guessing what will work best in your hydroponic farm? With an emphasis on leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and strawberries, the Hort Americas consulting team can guide you through all aspects of hydroponic farming. We can help whether you have technical questions or production challenges, or need to optimize your crop's nutrition. Consulting services are also available for: ➡ Designing greenhouses, irrigation systems, or systems related to hydroponics and greenhouse production. ➡ Marketing and branding strategies. More information is available below.