This system is optimized for head lettuce production. The automated growing system is designed for growing head lettuces and herbs that are sold with their root ball (living lettuce) in a pot or as cut head lettuce.
The system utilizes a highly efficient plant tray-table and 63–100 mm wide growing gutters which allow for the use of multiple types of growing media. The most common system set up has one single transplanting step during the entire growing cycle.
1. Medium Filling
2. Sowing
Handling of plants (H)
3. Germination
Handling of Plants (H)
4. Nursery
Transplanting (T)
5. Growing
6. Harvest
7. Cleaning
Gutter Management
8. Additional Processes
The production of lettuces and herbs starts with the seedling production. Plant trays are
filled with growing substrate such as peat or rockwool. Typically, our systems use paper
or plastic pots inside the tray to ensure safe and efficient transplanting.
Next, seeds are sowed to the pots. The sowing process is PLC controlled and various
types of seeds can be used. Trays of pots are irrigated and stacked onto a pallet to be
transferred to the germination room.
Trays of pots are transported into and out of the germination room with a pallet which can
hold up to 120 trays.
Next, seeds are sowed to the pots. The sowing process is PLC controlled and various
types of seeds can be used. Trays of pots are irrigated and stacked onto a pallet to be
transferred to the germination room.
Trays of pots are transported into and out of the germination room with a pallet which can
hold up to 120 trays.
After the trays have been placed on the nursery tables, they are irrigated from overhead
with moving irrigation booms. These booms are regulated by our control system. During
their days on the nursery tables, plants grow strong roots and are ready to be
transplanted to the hydroponic NFT system.
The transplanting from trays to gutters is done in one efficient step using a simple
transplanting tool. After transplanting, the empty trays are washed with a tray washing
machine and used again. After transplanting, the empty trays are washed with a tray
washing machine and reused.
The gutters with the plants move automatically through the greenhouse toward the
harvesting end. During that process, the distance between the gutters is adjusted
according to the space requirements of the plants in each growing phase, giving the
plants as much space as necessary, but as little as possible, ensuring maximal usage of
the greenhouse growing area. The plant density achieved with the adjusting gutters is
unmatched and a key component in efficient growing.
During the growing process, the plants have moved through the greenhouse toward the
harvesting area. Harvesting takes place at the end of each line and is usually done
manually. Harvested lettuce heads and herbs can be packed directly at the harvesting
station or can be transferred via conveyor to a centralized packing station.
Once the lettuce is harvested, the empty gutter is fed into an automatic washing machine. Automated harvesting waste management solutions are available.
The clean gutter is then placed on the gutter wagon and returned to the transplanting area, where it will be ready for a new growing cycle.
When using loose medium, such as peat, the system features a bale breaker which is re-filled with large bales.
The standard system is equipped with a single conveyor which takes the waste substrate
stream from the removal machine to a mobile dumpster. Alternative solutions are
available.
Plants are irrigated and fertigated automatically by our control system. In the irrigation
system the water is dosed to the gutters from drip emitters. Excess water flows from the gutters to the return water tanks, which can efficiently be placed under the growing lines. By using this smart irrigation system, we make certain plants get the correct amount of both water and nutrients. Water which is not consumed by plants is cleaned, returned to water tanks and then reused for irrigation. A powerful and robust filtration system
ensures highest water quality for your leafy greens. Using a hydroponic NFT system and
re-circulating the unused irrigation water reduces water consumption by up to 95%
compared to open-field farming
