Urban Deli Greenhouse Farm
You are viewing a modular vertical farm that is currently being used for disseminating being conducted by IVL, KTH, University of Bologna, and Autonomous University of Barcelona to research to improve the resource efficiency of vertical farming. In this system we showcase experiments being conducted at the different research sites to show the potential for employing growing media (i.e. different types of media used in place of soil) for hydroponic systems. These will be sourced from waste streams (e.g. urban residuals and other wastes).
Current System Configuration (Experiment 4)
Lighting
Crocus Sirius X.3
Photoperiod- 16 Hours/day
Side 1: Green and White Light Spectrum
Side 2: Green and White Light Spectrum
Growing Media
Currently the system is using coconut coir (i.e. the shell, a by-product from coconut production). In the coming months this will be changed to assess residual materials from urban environments as potential growing media. Planned substrates include spent mushroom substrate, brewing spent grains, biochar blends, paper, etc. used either in full or mixed with other substrates to ensure adequate growing conditions.
Fertilizers
Side 1: Plagron (Solution A and B).
Side 2: Biobizz Organic Fertilizer mix.
Planted Crops you are viewing
Side 1 -Friarieli Broccoli, and Basil
Side 2 - Friarieli Broccoli, and Basil
About the Vertical Farming System
The vertical farming cabinet farm is a Vegger Flaxfarm 30. It is roughly 30 cm deep, and 130 cm wide. Each level contains 18 hydroponic pots for different crops. For more information about Vegger's vertical farming systems, please visit www.vegger.org
Current System Configuration (Experiment 4)
Lighting
Crocus Sirius X.3
Photoperiod- 16 Hours/day
Side 1: Green and White Light Spectrum
Side 2: Green and White Light Spectrum
Growing Media
Currently the system is using coconut coir (i.e. the shell, a by-product from coconut production). In the coming months this will be changed to assess residual materials from urban environments as potential growing media. Planned substrates include spent mushroom substrate, brewing spent grains, biochar blends, paper, etc. used either in full or mixed with other substrates to ensure adequate growing conditions.
Fertilizers
Side 1: Plagron (Solution A and B).
Side 2: Biobizz Organic Fertilizer mix.
Planted Crops you are viewing
Side 1 -Friarieli Broccoli, and Basil
Side 2 - Friarieli Broccoli, and Basil
About the Vertical Farming System
The vertical farming cabinet farm is a Vegger Flaxfarm 30. It is roughly 30 cm deep, and 130 cm wide. Each level contains 18 hydroponic pots for different crops. For more information about Vegger's vertical farming systems, please visit www.vegger.org
Third Harvest-Results to Experiment with Lighting Spectrum
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The third experiment we did was to measure the energy use from modulating blue-red spectrum and its affects on lettuce growth. As shown on the picture above, we were able to produce large lettuce heads, using less energy than a typical full spectrum lighting.
Lighting
Side 1: Modulating Blue-Red Spectrum
Side 2: Modulating Blue-Red Spectrum
Lighting
Side 1: Modulating Blue-Red Spectrum
Side 2: Modulating Blue-Red Spectrum
Second Harvest-Results to Experiment with Lighting Spectrum
The second showcase experiment was to show the effects of lighting spectrum on plant growth (this time only with red oak leaf lettuce). We used a similar lighting spectrum as the Experiment-1. We didnt notice a large difference in leaf area or in the lettuce. Exciting results!
Lighting
Side 1: Green and White Light Spectrum
Side 2: Red and Far-Red Spectrum
Lighting
Side 1: Green and White Light Spectrum
Side 2: Red and Far-Red Spectrum
First Harvest-Results to Experiment with Lighting Spectrum
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The first showcase experiment was to show the effects of lighting spectrum on plant growth. As shown on the picture (above left) the use of more red/far red lighting elongated the plants. However, on the other side of the greenhouse (above right) the use of more white/green lighting kept the plants compact. Exciting results!
Lighting
Side 1: Green and White Light Spectrum
Side 2: Red and Far-Red Spectrum
Lighting
Side 1: Green and White Light Spectrum
Side 2: Red and Far-Red Spectrum
Mushroom Experiments
Within the greenhouse farm, you can also see a 'Shrooly' mushroom farm. Inside this system, we are showing different mushroom production methods and types of mushrooms (which will change every month or so depending on the time needed). The mushrooms are produced in the system utilizing waste streams to show how mushrooms can be produced using urban and agricultural waste.
One thing we noticed in our experiments with this Shrooly system is that the water (small water resevoir) needs to be filled every 3-4 days, otherwise the mushroom block will dry out. A few of our previous attempts have failed because of this.
One thing we noticed in our experiments with this Shrooly system is that the water (small water resevoir) needs to be filled every 3-4 days, otherwise the mushroom block will dry out. A few of our previous attempts have failed because of this.
Mushroom (Experiment 4)
In the Experiment 4, Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are being grown utilizing wastes from the harvested plants (i.e. the pots and substrate (including the roots and plant waste with a small addition of straw pellets).
Substrate:
80% Waste from plants in the greenhouse from previous flush
20% Straw Pellets
In the Experiment 4, Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are being grown utilizing wastes from the harvested plants (i.e. the pots and substrate (including the roots and plant waste with a small addition of straw pellets).
Substrate:
80% Waste from plants in the greenhouse from previous flush
20% Straw Pellets
Mushroom (Experiment 3)
In the Experiment 3, Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are being grown utilizing wastes from the harvested plants (i.e. the pots and substrate (including the roots and plant waste with a small addition of straw pellets).
Substrate:
80% Waste from plants in the greenhouse from previous flush
20% Straw Pellets
In the Experiment 3, Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are being grown utilizing wastes from the harvested plants (i.e. the pots and substrate (including the roots and plant waste with a small addition of straw pellets).
Substrate:
80% Waste from plants in the greenhouse from previous flush
20% Straw Pellets
Mushroom (Experiment 2)
In the Experiment 2, the Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) were grown using waste from brewing grains. It worked great, but brewing grains need to be cleaned and thoroughly sterilized to avoid mold. Three separate flushes were obtained with this setup.
Substrate:
70% Spent Brewer's Grains (waste product from beer production)
30% Straw Pellets
In the Experiment 2, the Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) were grown using waste from brewing grains. It worked great, but brewing grains need to be cleaned and thoroughly sterilized to avoid mold. Three separate flushes were obtained with this setup.
Substrate:
70% Spent Brewer's Grains (waste product from beer production)
30% Straw Pellets
First Experiment (Yellow Oyster on Straw Substrate)
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Follow the Experiments
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More Sensor Data to come.... |