What are common mistakes in greenhouse climate management?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Preventing common climate management mistakes in the greenhouse helps to avert crop losses and waste of resources, by many growers using the same settings for different kinds of plants and failing to properly calibrate sensors, causing disturbances in the delicate balance between humidity-temperature-CO2 amounts needed for healthy plants.
Uniform Settings Fallacy
- Tomatoes require warmer temps than lettuce
- Orchids need higher humidity than herbs
- CO2 needs vary by growth stage
- Always customize zones for each crop
Environmental Imbalance
- High humidity reduces plant transpiration
- Temperature spikes close stomata openings
- Unbalanced CO2 causes nutrient lockout
- Monitor vapor pressure deficit continuously
Sensor Neglect
- Uncalibrated sensors drift by 10-15% yearly
- Dust blocks light and humidity sensors
- Placement errors create false readings
- Test accuracy monthly with reference tools
When sensor readings are inaccurate, these errors cascade into problems. If a temperature sensor reads 2° C above the actual temperature, the system creates unnecessary cooling. This maneuver wastes energy and can cause the plants to become even colder, beyond their optimal ranges. Similarly, humidity sensor miscalibrations cause erroneous fogging cycles, resulting in disease-promoting conditions that are problematic.
Maintaining ventilation avoids devastating failures. Clogged filters decrease airflow by 50% within a few months. Dirty fan blades can reduce efficiency by up to 30%. I plan for bi-monthly inspections after losing an entire crop of cucumbers to poor circulation in the greenhouse.
Maintaining environmental balance is an ongoing process. As temperatures increase, humidity must decrease. Additionally, CO2 enrichment will require new light intensity settings. Automated systems provide superior control and management of these variables compared to manual methods. They eliminate human error that can lead to excessive plant stress.
Corrective strategies protect crops and resources. Zone controls accommodate diverse plant requirements simultaneously. Sensor calibration guarantees accurate responses. A maintenance schedule enables the system to operate efficiently. These procedures will prevent 80% of common climate management failures.
Read the full article: Greenhouse Climate Control: Growth & Efficiency
