Sun and heat protection for greenhouse crops
One of the biggest benefits of greenhouse growing is that you can control the climate and offer the best environment to your crops at each unique growth stage. How do you protect your plants from soaring temperatures and harsh UV radiation? Here’s a closer look at the tools and systems that form part of a climate-controlled greenhouse solution for hot conditions.
UV-blocking greenhouse plastics
While UV light is important to plant development, too much can be harmful – and different crops have different UV requirements. That’s where advanced plastic greenhouse covers come in. These specialised films contain UV-blocking additives that enable them to absorb and reflect UV radiation. They’re also available in different protection levels, providing partial to complete UV blockage - depending on what your crops need.
Some insects need UV light to find their way, so the UV-blocking properties of these films have the added benefit of reducing pest activity. This means less damage to plants and a lower risk of insect-borne plant diseases – and it allows growers to reduce your fungicide and pesticide use.
Clever cooling systems
The simplest and easiest way to keep crops cool in a polyethylene greenhouse is through good ventilation. The right system for you will depend on what you’re growing, and the climate and environment you’re in. Some options include:
Passive ventilation: A venting window throughout the ridge of the greenhouse allows fresh air to move in and heat and humidity to move out. This is a cost-effective option, perfect for milder climates.
Active ventilation: Growers in warmer climates usually need more active ventilation. Here, we use fans throughout the greenhouse to increase the rate of air exchange.
Evaporative cooling: When passive and active air exchange isn’t enough, evaporative cooling methods like pad and fan and high-pressure fogging are the way to go. In a pad and fan system, exhaust vents draw air through wet cooling pads, while in high-pressure fogging, fine water droplets are released into the air. In both systems, the water’s evaporation lowers the temperature in the greenhouse.
What about screens?
Screens are another simple but highly effective way to control light and temperature in a greenhouse. Here, we use horizontal, vertical, and external screens to completely control the light conditions in a greenhouse. As a result, you can expose your plants to the right levels of light at each growth stage – and even create blackout conditions if needed.
Ready to chat about your greenhouse requirements?
Vegtech Netafim engineers solutions with wide ranges of high-quality covers, specialised shade nets, tailored cooling systems and smart irrigation. We’d love to discuss the best solutions for your growing needs.
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