Greenhouse Temperature Management

Temperature controls the rate of plant development and thus, crop timing. Temperature can also influence extension growth of plants, greenhouse energy consumption, and crop quality attributes. Additional information on temperature, including crop responses and greenhouse energy consumption, are listed in the articles below. Additional resources follow.

Virtual Grower, a free computer program for greenhouse growers to predict heating costs. Developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Temperature and Scheduling: Improving Greenhouse Production Efficiency by Erik Runkle and Matthew Blanchard, Michigan State University.
Greenhouse Temperature Management by A.J. Both, Rutgers University.

Resources

The fundamentals of temperature

Published on November 17, 2010
The concepts of base temperature, optimum temperature, and maximal temperature are discussed in the context of greenhouse production of annual bedding plants.
Greenhouse temperature considerations

Published on October 17, 2010
This article presents some of the factors to consider when selecting temperature setpoints for growing ornamental plants.
Energy-efficient annuals 12: Pentas & verbena

Published on February 22, 2010
Researchers from Michigan State University present research-based information for scheduling pentas and verbena in an energy-efficient and predictive manner. Part 12 of a 12-part series.
Energy-efficient annuals 11: Angelonia & browallia

Published on January 22, 2010
Researchers from Michigan State University present research-based information for scheduling angelonia and browallia in an energy-efficient and predictive manner. Part 11 of a 12-part series.
Energy-efficient annuals 10: Vinca & wax begonia

Published on December 22, 2009
Researchers from Michigan State University present research-based information for scheduling vinca and wax begonia in an energy-efficient and predictive manner. Part 10 of a 12-part series.
Energy-efficient annuals 9: Dahlia & osteospermum

Published on November 22, 2009
Researchers from Michigan State University present research-based information for scheduling dahlia and osteospermum in an energy-efficient and predictive manner. Part 9 of a 12-part series.
Why use Virtual Grower?

Published on October 17, 2009
The Virtual Grower greenhouse simulation software translates your structure’s data and manipulates it to help calculate costs and make choices to be more energy efficient.
Energy-efficient annuals 8: Rudbeckia & viola

Published on October 12, 2009
Researchers from Michigan State University present research-based information for scheduling rudbeckia and viola in an energy-efficient and predictive manner. Part 8 of a 12-part series.
Energy-efficient annuals 7: Geraniums & zinnias

Published on September 22, 2009
Researchers from Michigan State University present research-based information for scheduling geranium and zinnia in an energy-efficient and predictive manner. Part 7 of a 12-part series.
Energy-efficient annuals 6: Petunias

Published on August 22, 2009
Researchers from Michigan State University present research-based information for scheduling petunia in an energy-efficient and predictive manner. Part 6 of a 12-part series.
Energy-efficient poinsettia production

Published on August 8, 2009
As fuel prices continue to soar, finding ways to limit energy consumption in the production process of poinsettia has never been more important.
Energy-efficient annuals 5: Ageratum & cosmos

Published on July 22, 2009
Researchers from Michigan State University present research-based information for scheduling ageratum and cosmos in an energy-efficient and predictive manner. Part 5 of a 12-part series.