Maximum Yield USA June/July 2019 | Page 31

Stadium- or Colosseum-Style Gardens A stadium- or colosseum-style indoor garden can be a very effective type of multi-tier setup to maximize the efficiency of an artificial light source. Stadium- or colosseum-style gardens are similar to the staggered seating in a stadium or colosseum, hence the name. The light source is positioned vertically in the center of the plants. The plants are then staggered around the light source in a manner similar to stadium or colosseum seating. This type of setup minimizes the distance the radiant energy travels from the artificial light source to the plants, thus maximizing the available radiant energy. A basic form of indoor stadium- or colosseum-style gardening is shelving that allows the grower to place planting containers around the light source and stagger the plants vertically next to the light. With this setup, the plants can be moved or re-positioned depending on their size to further maximize the radiant energy emitting from the artificial light source. Vertical Hydroponic Systems Vertical hydroponic systems can also be set up in a stadium- or colosseum-style to best maximize the available radiant energy from a grow lamp. Vertical hydroponic systems range from homemade stackable modules made from PVC to state-of-the- art pre-manufactured vertical hydroponic systems that come complete with pumps, tubing, and growing accessories. Most vertical hydroponic systems used by indoor horticulturists rely on irrigation lines to deliver nutrients to each individual plant. A series of tubes or gutters collect runoff and direct the nutri- ent solution back to the reservoir for reuse. A vertically posi- tioned light source surrounded by a vertical hydroponic system provides the highest amount of radiant light energy. “ Vertical hydroponic systems combine the speed of growth associated with hydroponic gardening with the space-maximizing benefits of multi-tiered vertical gardening.” Indoor horticulture and greenhouse gardening provide heightened control over most of the parameters that affect plant growth. To best utilize the given radiant light energy, some growers get creative in the ways they position the plants within their greenhouses or indoor gardens. Multi-tiered, verti- cal gardens are a great way to utilize the radiant energy from the light source. Both greenhouse growers and indoor horticul- turists are limited by their given spaces. To maximize space and radiant energy, many indoor and greenhouse growers are implementing some sort of multi-tiered, vertical garden- ing technique. Whether a grower chooses simple shelving or a sophisticated automated vertical hydroponic system, he or she is sure to see the biggest return on investment when the given space and the available radiant energy are efficiently used. Maximum Yield 31