Smith Gardens Stabilizes Greenhouse Climate With Light-Diffusing Screens

Smith GardensSmith Gardens faced a challenge when constructing its newest range, a state-of-the-art Prins glasshouse at its Aurora, Ore., location. The long winters and warm summers characteristic of the climate in the Northwest U.S. make providing an even temperature and stable climate an often difficult task.

The operation found the answer in light-diffusing screens. After numerous trials and research, Head Grower Aaron Bivens selected XLS 45 F Harmony Revolux, an open, light-diffusing shade screen from Svensson.

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“You walk into the range and can instantly feel a more even temperature,” Bivens says. “There is a noticeable difference between the light diffusion in the new range, compared to our houses with aluminum screens.”

Diffused light is scattered by particles, in this case the screen, so it is much less intense and more evenly spread. Diffused light has been shown to provide significant benefits for plants in greenhouses, creating fewer hot spots and shady spots. In addition, studies have shown that plants produced in greenhouses where the light is diffused are larger, heavier and better quality than those produced in typical light conditions.

The impact has been clear for Smith Gardens.

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“This past summer we had a good number of days with high radiation and hotter than usual temperatures, so we used the screen quite a bit,” Bivens says. “Immediately, you could see a big difference, not only in terms of the light spread but also in terms of temperature — the screen allowed us to achieve much cooler conditions throughout the house.”

So much so, he says, that in the coming years, “we will need to start replacing the screens in some of our older ranges.”

For more information on this case study or any of Svensson’s products, call 704-357-0457 or visit www.ludvigsvensson.com.

Source: Svensson

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