H 310 Greenhouse Management
Instructor Information
Name: Steven E. Newman, Ph.D., A.A.F.
Email: Steven.Newman@Colostate.edu
Office location: 105 Shepardson
Office hours: 11-12 Monday and Wednesday
Phone: (970) 491-7118
Biography: My official title is Greenhouse Crops Extension Specialist and Associate Professor of Floriculture and I have been at Colorado State University since the fall of 1994. I was previously employed in a similar position for nine years at Mississippi State University. I earned my Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, my M.S. from the University of Nebraska, and my B.S. from Montana State University. I am a native of Montana. My wife is Debra and we have two boys, Russell (12) and Thomas (9).
Course Information
Course title: Greenhouse Management
Course number: H 310 -- (4 semester credits)
Course discipline: Agriculture
Course description: Design and use of enclosed structures to manipulate controlled environments, effects on growth as applied to crops, production, and marketing crops.
Course date: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 through Friday, May 6, 2005
Locations and Times
Lecture: Monday and Wednesday 9:00-10:40 am -- 118 Shepardson
Laboratory: Section 1: Monday 1:10-2:50 pm -- University Greenhouse
Section 2: Monday 3:10-4:50 pm -- University Greenhouse
Course Goals
Course goals: Teaching and Learning of the principles greenhouse management for the production of floral and vegetable crops.
Learning Objectives
Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
  • Design a commercial greenhouse;
  • Understand environmental control systems for maximum crop productivity; and
  • Understand management practices, including: media, irrigation, fertilization, light, growth regulators, and pest control.
Policies
Introduction: Greenhouse Management is being offered at Colorado State University via two means of instruction, traditional classroom and on-line. The on-line version of this course is designed for students not in residence on campus or for resident students who can not enroll in the traditional section; however, the material is identical for the students in residence. Therefore, the on-line version is a valuable study tool for all students.
Additional information:

Resident students are expected to:

  • Attend all lectures, however, attendance will not be measured;
  • Participate in all laboratory excercises. Laboratory attendance is mandatory;
  • Complete all assignments in a timely manner; and
  • Participate in on-line activities, including:
    • Discussion sessions with both resident and on-line students;
    • Email communication with instructor;

Distance, on-line, students are expected to:

  • Complete all on-line modules in the semester enrolled ;
    • Special dispensation can be extended to complete the entire course up to six months after enrollment.
  • Complete all off-line assignments specific to distance students; and
  • Participate in on-line activities, including:
    • Discussion sessions with both resident and on-line students;
    • Email communication with instructor;
Course Requirements (Resident Students)
Introduction: The following information includes information on examinations, laboratory assignements, and projects.
Requirements:
Points
Examinations: Exam I February 9, 2005
150
Exam II March 2, 2005
150
Exam III April 6, 2005
150
Exam IV May 10, 2005 - 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
150
Laboratory Research Report Assigned topics
100
Laboratory Sessions (12) and Practicum
200
Greenhouse Design
50
Tours - For dates, go to the Calendar (2)
50
Total
1000
Course Requirements (Distance Students)
Introduction: The following information includes information on examinations, off-line assignments, and projects.
Requirements:
     
Points
Examinations Exam I Upon completion of Unit 2
150
  Exam II Upon completion of Unit 3
150
  Exam III Upon completion of Unit 6
150
  Exam IV Upon completion of Unit 10
150
     
Off-line Experiences Off-line Experiences Activities (5)
100
  Problem Sets Assigned (4)
100
  Projects Greenhouse Design and Report
150
  Greenhouse visits At least two from your area
50
    Total
1000
Grading Policies
Resident Students: The scoring system listed below is not negotiable.
Scoring System:
Score
Grade
>924
  
A+
891-924
  
A
858-890
  
A-
825-857
  
B+
791-824
  
B
758-790
  
B-
725-757
  
C+
691-724
  
C
658-690
  
C-
625-657
  
D+
591-624
  
D
558-590
  
D-
>558
  
F
Textbook
Required reading: Greenhouse Operation and Management, Paul V. Nelson, Prentice Hall, Sixth Edition - 2003, 0-13-010577-5
Introduction
Unit 1: Introduction to Greenhouse Management
: In this section you will discover some of the history of greenhouses and plant protection structures. Also, in this section is a brief synopsis on the history of the Colorado flower growers.
  1. Introduction
  2. Colorado greenhouse growers' history
  3. State and national greenhouse production statistics

 
Greenhouse Structures and Construction
Unit 2: In this section, you will learn options and issues to consider when locating a greenhouse as well as floor design, glazing materials, and environmental control.
  1. Site location, structures, and glazing
  2. Bench design
  3. Floors and layout

 
Greenhouse Environment
Unit 3: This section will the greenhouse equipment that maintains the greenhouse environment.
  1. Heating
  2. Cooling
  3. Environmental control
Greenhouse Media
Unit 4: This section will cover the components that make up greenhouse root-zone media and how they influence plant growth.
  1. Rhizosphere
  2. Media constituents
  3. Pasteurization
Greenhouse Nutrition
Unit 5: Fertilizer choice influences plant growth in a greenhouse. This section will cover some basic plant nutrition of floral crops, and fertilizer.
  1. Plant nutrition
  2. Chemistry
  3. Fertilizers
  4. Hydroponics
  5. Nutrient deficiencies and toxicities
  6. Carbon dioxide

 
Water in the Greenhouse
Unit 6: Water is one of the most important factors in greenhouse production. This section will cover some information on water chemistry, water treatment, and irrigation methods.
  1. Irrigation systems
  2. Water quality
  3. Water sanitation
Light and Temperature in the Greenhouse
Unit 7: This section will cover how light and temperature interact to grow plants in a greenhouse. Some discussion will include HID lighting.
  1. Photosynthesis
  2. Photoperiodism
  3. Temperature
Greenhouse Pest Management
Unit 8: This section is devoted towards the control of insects, mites, and disease.
  1. Integrated Pest Management
  2. Insects and mites
  3. Diseases
Plant Growth Regulation
Unit 9: This section will cover plant growth regulation. Plant growth regulators are used to enhance plant quality. Most growth regulators are chemical in nature, however, we also manipulate plant growth by mechanical and/or environmental means.
  1. Chemical
  2. Mechanical
  3. DIF / DROP
Post Production
Unit 10: This final section will cover post production quality and care of floral crops. In this section, you will also learn some marketing strategies as well as business management tools useful for a greenhouse manager.
  1. Quality
  2. Market
  3. Business management

Last update: January 28, 2005