Standard

Updated: 02/2005

EHO 103 - Greenhouse Operations

Course Description

Develops a basic understanding of greenhouse design, construction, and environmental factors affecting plant growth. Topics include: greenhouse construction, greenhouse heating and cooling, greenhouse soil functions and components, irrigation types and effects, fertilizer types and applications, and fall crops for the local area.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

Greenhouse Construction

Class

2

Greenhouse Heating and Cooling

D. Lab

0

Greenhouse Soil Functions and Components

P. Lab/O.B.I.

3

Irrigation Types and Effects

Credit

3

Fertilizer Types and Applications

 

 

Fall Crops for the Local Area

 

 

 

 

 

Prerequisite:

Provisional admission

Corequisite:

 

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION

4

0

0

Location

Select a suitable location for a greenhouse.

 

 

 

Structures

Identify greenhouse components.

 

 

 

 

Describe different styles of greenhouse structures.

 

 

 

 

Discuss economic factors involved in greenhouse construction.

 

 

 

Covering materials

Discuss the characteristics of materials used in greenhouse construction.

 

 

 

 

Glaze or recover greenhouse structures.

 

 

 

Benches

Design greenhouse bench systems.

 

 

 

 

Evaluate bench systems in terms of overall greenhouse design and crops being grown.

 

 

 

GREENHOUSE HEATING AND COOLING          

4

0

0

Heating

Explain basic differences in types of available greenhouse heating systems.

 

 

 

 

Calculate heating requirements for a greenhouse.

 

 

 

 

Maintain growing structure heating system.

 

 

 

 

Regulate growing structure temperature.

 

 

 

Cooling

Explain the basic principles of greenhouse ventilation and cooling.

 

 

 

 

Describe methods of greenhouse cooling.

 

 

 

 

Calculate cooling requirements for a greenhouse.

 

 

 

 

Maintain growing structure cooling system.

 

 

 

GREENHOUSE SOIL FUNCTIONS AND COMPONENTS

4

0

0

Introduction

Define soilless media.

Explain why soilless media are desirable.

 

 

 

Components

List components of artificial soils and their characteristics.

 

 

 

Functions

Discuss the function of soilless media.

 

 

 

Economics

Evaluate the cost effectiveness of various greenhouse soil mixes.

 

 

 

Practical application

Mix greenhouse growing media.

 

 

 

 

Alter pH of greenhouse growing media.

 

 

 

 

Pasteurize greenhouse growing media.

 

 

 

IRRIGATION TYPES AND EFFECTS

4

0

0

Effects

Describe the effects of water on plants.

 

 

 

Rules

Explain general guidelines for watering plants.

 

 

 

Quality

Demonstrate an awareness of importance of water quality for plant growth.

 

 

 

Systems

Identify types of systems used for irrigation greenhouse crops.

 

 

 

FERTILIZER TYPES AND APPLICATIONS

4

0

0

Types

Compare various types of fertilization procedures for greenhouse crops.

 

 

 

Methods of application

Calculate fertilizer requirements for greenhouse crops.

 

 

 

 

Calculate liquid fertilizer concentrations for greenhouse crops.

 

 

 

 

Prepare fertilizer solutions for greenhouse crops.

 

 

 

 

Fertilize greenhouse plants.

 

 

 

FALL CROPS FOR THE LOCAL AREA

0

0

30

Greenhouse plant cultivation

Apply growth regulator to local fall greenhouse crops. Disbud fall greenhouse plants.

 

 

 

 

Pot fall greenhouse plants.

 

 

 

 

Pinch fall greenhouse plants.

 

 

 

 

Label greenhouse plants.

 

 

 

 

Stake fall greenhouse plants.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

 

Books

 

Nelson, P. (2003). Greenhouse Operation and Management. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Beytes, C. (2003). Ball Redbook, Greenhouses and Equipment. Batavia, IL: Ball Publishing.

McMahon, R. (2000). An Introduction to Greenhouse Production. Columbus, OH: Curriculum Materials Service, Ohio State University.

Aldrich, R. (1994). Greenhouse Engineering. Ithaca, NY: Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service.

Walls, I. (1996). The Complete Book of the Greenhouse. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing.

Jozwik, F. (2000). The Greenhouse and Nursery Handbook, A complete guide to growing and selling ornamental plants. Mills, Wyoming: Andmar Press.