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[Table] IAmA hydroponic grower in a large hi tec greenhouse. We have over 2.5 million plants! AMA
**Verified?** *(This bot cannot verify AMAs just yet)* **Date:** 2012-02-27 **[Link to submission](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/)** **[Link to my post](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/tabledresser/c3vkj6v)** Questions|Answers :--|:-- [What are the pros/cons of growing cannabis hydroponically compared to in soil?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vd9w4?context=5)|The main thing is that you control the fertiliser content and alkalinity. you can manipulate the plant better to achieve the highest results. [Edit: why in the fuck did this get downvoted and the reply upvoted?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vd9w4?context=5)|If you're really advanced you can take analysis of the nutrients and customize a recipe ideal for production and quality. [What medium are you using? Does that get recycled too?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vcwc8?context=5)|The medium we use is crushed coconut fibre. It comes in bags that fill up 18 liters of volume the coco fibre gets composted then sold off for bedding plant mix ( it has a very high nutrient content!) [Do you add extra calcium/magnesium to your fertilizer mixes to compensate for the coco?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vja0n?context=5)|In northern climates the crops start in december, when there is little light. As a result, the plant does not require much water. There are difficiencies in the coco and you do have to supplement more calcium and magnesium, as well as copper and manganese. In the southern climates, we irrigate a lot more often. By doing this, we `charge`the slab faster with the correct nutrients. Some companies that sell coco allready pre treat the slab with extra nutrients. [Does your produce need special labelling? As in 'hydroponic tomatoes' What markets are you selling to? Do you use any pesticides? Are there any plans to diversify into different products? How many workers are required for the current operation? I have many many more questions...](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vcgrn?context=5)|We sell through the label tomatur We sell to canada, unted states and mexico We use a combination af natural occuring poant extracts, biological agents (insects), and only during emergencies we use pesticides Only profitable products now are tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. We have over 1000 employees Keep asking, i willntry my best to keep up! [What country do you work in and how did you first get into this line of work? Do you see this as a career that you will stick with for a long time?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vdseq?context=5)|I work in mexico, but im canadian. I studied agricultral economics and horticulture. Got a job in a greenhouse and worked my way up. I've been doing this for 13 years now and i will continue to do it. I love working with plants! There are growing opportunities in the industry and pays well. [Were you fluent in Spanish before you got there? How about now?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vho6w?context=5)|Before i got down here i took a few classes. But i really just learned by talking spanish to people no matter how bad i thought my spanish was. I can communicate well is spanish now. [How often do you get pests/infestation? what is the most common problem and how much damage can it cause?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vcu6f?context=5)|We rarely get pest infestations. We have a program where we monitor the plants every day to finds pests and disease. We also apply biologicals into the crop to combat the pests. Our one pest that causes problems is the tomato psyllid. When it feeds on the plant it poisens it and dies. It can cause production losses of up to 20%. [Can you talk more about the computerized climate controls? Can you control/monitor from the internet, or just onsite?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vd7pt?context=5)|The climate control computershave sensors all over the greenhouse that measure temperature, humidity, co2. These readings are the basis for control in the greenhouse. We manipulate the climate ( through ventilation, heating pipes, air circulation and shade cloth. These are all setpoints that we enter in order to achieve results with tomato production. Irrigating is done the same way with light sensors in the greenhouse. We can irrigate based on light or time duration. I can look at the climate control comuter from home. [Pretty cool. What is this system called? What does something like that cost?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vdbbj?context=5)|Its called a PRIVA integral climate control system. At our site there is about $500,000 invested just on computer control. [Any suggestions for safe pest control products? Other than precautions...](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vcps1?context=5)|Neem oil works good on most pests and its natural. [Do you ever use neem as a systemic treatment or only on foliage?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vdtk5?context=5)|Only as a folier treatment that contacts the pest directly. [Do you use cloning techniques to satisfy the huge numbers needed? Or do you actually grow all those plants from seed?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vddo3?context=5)|All of the plants we used are grafted. This means that we use two varieties and tomato plants to make one plant. We use one plant that has a very resistant root system and one plant that we want for the variety of tomatoes to be produced. These plant are 'fused' together at an early stage in production. We do not clone plants, we use f1 hybrid seeds for each plant. [How did you decide that you wanted to be a hydroponic grower? There is a small hydroponic farm in my city and when I asked the person who gave me a tour how he decided to go into that field, he just said "my brother taught me how to build things, and once I realized I could build a hydroponic system I got an intership then knew I wanted to be an urban farmer." I have always been interested in hydroponics but I don't know much about building things or the particulars of farming... do you think I would still be able to learn and get a job somewhere in the field of hydroponics?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vf59j?context=5)|Well to be honest, one day i was on schrooms and was drawing an came up with a plan to build greenhouses. After that i went back to school to study horticulture and get a job in a greenhouse. The rest is history. Anyone can learn anything at any age and become to master it. You can do anything you want. [Do you grow heirloom tomatoes? Also, I hear stories about how hard it is to be a grower since so many are leveraged Out their asses. Do you have any trouble making a decent living? Which crop sells at the highest margin?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vcsb1?context=5)|We don't have any heirloom varieties, they're difficult to grow and are a niche product. Its a lot of work, this investment is over 125 million usd. I dont have any problems making money and finding work, every one needs to eat! Small cocktail tomatoes makes the most, but everything is market driven. [What kind of hydroponic system do you use and what kind of nutrients??](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vcgba?context=5)|We use pressure released drippers which activate all at the same time to irrigate all of the plants. Our nutrients are mixed as per a recipe i decide based on the stage of the crop. [Why are green houses so tall? Wouldn't that just increase climate control costs?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vicse?context=5)|The greenhouses are tall because the extra space provides a layer above the plants that cannot be changed very easily. when its cold outside and you open the vents in a short greenhouse, the climate changes very fast and can disrupt the growing process in the plants. In a high greenhouse, the air mixes more and is more stable. Plants can cool themselves off better in a taller greenhouse. There is very little difference in the costs. [Also what strategies do you have in place for disease control and how much of a problem is it?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vicse?context=5)|We have an integrated pest management (IPM) program that includes biolocals, mechanical removal, monitorring, prevention and as a last resort, chemicals. We have several people employed just for this monitorring. [If I wanted to become employed there what would I need to do?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vdri7?context=5)|Study horticulture or plant science for the middle management jobs. No skills required for crop labour. [Can you give us an indication of the economic of the greenhouse? Like how much did it cost to set it up and what sort of yields does it produce annually?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vdr0o?context=5)|Setup costs can be close to $1,000,000 per hectare for really advanced greenhouses. Generally our costs and arounds $50 per m2 and revenue of $70 to $80 per m2. [Wow those are pretty solid returns. Out of curiosity how does the $1 million set up cost break down? Does it also include the price of land?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vea2h?context=5)|Does not include land. Generally, it includes the greenhouse structure, heating system, irrigation system, co2 systems, packing facilities, infastructure, ground leveling. A lot of concrete! [How many people does it take to run the whole operation?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vdptv?context=5)|Over 1000 people. [You mentioned something about fish?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vdpff?context=5)|Fish can be used to clean the water. Different pools of water are designed that hold different concentrations of fertiliser. Plants are grown in these ponds that consume the excess fertiliser. Water flows from pool to pool and fish consume the plant material. The end result is very clean fresh water that is then reused. [Do you know the species of the fish?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3ve0n9?context=5)|No sorry. [Ever done aquaponics (where you use fish to help produce nutrients for the plants) ?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vd60u?context=5)|No, never done that. [What is your distribution system like?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vds1p?context=5)|We package in house and gets sold to a marketer. We ship everything by truck to distribution areas, then distributed to retailers. [From your point of view in the industry does it look like there could be a shit towards hydroponic farming for a large part of our produce needs? If you think this is a possibility how feasible would a system with a majority of the business being hydroponic be long term? Would a shift like this have any major advantages to our current system?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3ve4me?context=5)|Right now greenhouse account for about 20% of all tomatoes, peppers and cucmbers. In Europe its closer to 90%, so yes, I think the market will continue like this way. We need to be very efficient in our food production in the coming years as the world population booms Greenhouse can produce for up to 25 years before major renevations need to be done. [Are there any crop types we need that do not do well enough in a Hydroponic system?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3veccp?context=5)|All crops would produce better in hydroponics. Its just a matter of economics. For example, Production is way cheaper for grains and you require a lot of space, not effective in hydroponics. [I have heard many times that the reason many grains are so cheap to produce is that they are heavily subsidized by the government. Do facilities such on the level of your's use breeds specialized for growing in the conditions there or do you just alter the conditions to fit whatever breed produces what you want the best?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vejtz?context=5)|We are not subsidised, we pay close to $.55 a seed for special varieties that produce well and have a quality trait that we disire for the market. [What type of hydroponics system do you work with and how much food do you produce compared to production on a same size plot of soil?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vdndm?context=5)|We can get up to 30 times the amount of production more than field production. Our hydroponic system is dripper preasure compensated technology. [Ooh! Best sweet peppers for hydroponic growing (or what kind do you grow)?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vcja6?context=5)|Red, orange and yellow peppers. [Do you get to take home any of the produce? Or any other benefits like that?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3ve1us?context=5)|All the tomatoes i can eat! [Also, if you're familiar, what are your thoughts on Howard Resh and his literature? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0880072229?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vjlqx?context=5)|I will do a little research on this guy and get back to you. [While the coco coir may decrease water usage I thought it was important to keep the fresh delivery of nutrients to the plants. May I ask what your watering schedule is with a coco coir only substrate?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vkxvo?context=5)|We deliver up to 8 liters per M2 of area. in this area there are about 3 plants. We also irrigate on cummulative light intensity. (the more intense the light, the faster we come back and irrigate) Each irrigation is about 70 Ml, but that can change too. On cloudy days we irrigate to get drain and we dry out the slab as much as possible for the next day. [What is the air like in there? :)](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vec8i?context=5)|Its very fresh, as you can imagine hundreds of thousands of plants giving off oxygen all day. Normal air had a concentration of 380 ppm of co2, we inject co2 to increase that value to about 800 ppm. The plants thrive under these conditions. [What systems do you use to increase the CO2 levels? Burning methane?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3velx1?context=5)|We burn natural gas to heat up water to close to 95 degrees celcius. We store this hot water in a tank (approx. 4,000,000 liters) to use at night. The combustion of natural gas is water, co2 and some other minor particulates. We collect this co2 and deliver it through fans to the greenhouse. [What kind of system do you use to collect the CO2?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vj63b?context=5)|Blowers that suck the exhaust from the boilers and distribute to the greenhouse. [Do you have a breeding program associated with the greenhouse or do you buy seed from commercial sources?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vje93?context=5)|We don`t do any breeding, we buy our seeds from a seed company like Enza Zadden or De Ruiter seeds, they do all of the breeding. [Have you had any outbreaks of disease such as Tobacco Mosaic virus, Fusarium wilt or other pathogens, and how do you deal with them? If yes, how bad (in terms of $ lost, plants lost) have some of the outbreaks gotten?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vje93?context=5)|We have had outbreaks of Bacterial canker, viroide, gemini virus etc. We have strict measures for disinfection with the workers and the plants. Sometimes we are cleaner than a hospital!!. We can loose millions of dollars with a bad outbreak. [What system do you use for automation? Is it a prepackaged software/hardware unit? What kind of variability does it allow you? How did you get into hydroponic growing?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3veo14?context=5)|The computer systems are realy flexible, they allow you to use different influences on each setting. With all of the data i get from the greenhouse i can set limits to a disired outcome to achieve the best results. I try to give the plants exactly what they need to grow, from climate to irrigation to crop work. [Are you able to tell us the name and location of the facility? If not, no worries.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3ve0iz?context=5)|We're located in central mexico. [Guanajuato by any chance?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vhjvr?context=5)|Were in the state of mexico. I really like guanajuato though, its a beautiful city! [When do you think we will go into space in a sustainable way? I.e. a spaceship that can support life for multiple generations or terraforming a planet?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vixod?context=5)|It`s going to be needed one day, but by that time we`ll be able to grow things much faster than we do now. [Do you use NFT at all?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3veu5k?context=5)|No natural flow technique (NFT) causes to many root problems. We grow in coconut fibre and drip irrigate the plants. [Do you see rising water prices becoming a problem in the years ahead, and do you think hydroponics would be hit more harshly than other methods of growing?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vgqqn?context=5)|We collect all of the rain water that falls on the greenhouse and we have a closed system so we recirculate everything. There is a backup well to supplement when we run low. Any greenhouses that don't have good water management strategies will find it hard to compete in the future. [How often are the greenhouses damaged by storms? Great AMA.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vf5k6?context=5)|Sometimes hail can damage the glass, but its pretty tough. One time in Vancouver, an earthquake struck and the whole structure shook. Fortunately the greenhouses are built for sway. [What is your favorite sort of tomatoes?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vflbh?context=5)|I like cherry and cocktail tomatoes the most because they have great flavor. [Where are you based and can you please let me work for you?!?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vev5e?context=5)|Im in mexico. If you're qualified then you can get work in any greenhouse :-) [What are the operational costs on that like? Also How much do you make off of your crops?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vj90v?context=5)|Please check below. [Do you think that hydroponic skyscrapers are a logical idea for feeding large cities?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vjozt?context=5)|I think that it is an opportunity to use the space about existing buildings to produce vegetables. think of all the unused space there is. Another advantage is that the greenhouses above the buildings can use waste heat and co2 from the existing buildings to produce year round. [My girlfriend is studying hydroponics while I am study engineering. You can understand why I don't think it would be a great career choice, and it will be difficult to find a job. I want to be supportive. Can you convince me that it is a great career choice?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vj0bw?context=5)|Really good growers who have connections in the industry easily make more than six figures plus bonuses and extras (car, house, medical). But it takes education and work experience to get there. Plus your going to be an engineer, you`ll make good money soon. [So you think greenhouses could be built on top of a bunch of existing buildings? I like that idea too. But my original question was more along the lines of, say a 30-floor skyscraper, completely devoted to hydroponic farming. Is that a really far-fetched idea?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vkf8p?context=5)|No its not a far fetched idea, some skyscrappers are being built for this right now. I just think its better on top of exsisting buildings where we have a lot of waste heat and co2 that can be used. [What do you use to keep the water cycling?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vhzod?context=5)|A system of pumps, collection silos, an ultra violet system to destroy pathogens and a mixing unit to combine water fertilser and recirculated water. [Can anything you grow be considered "organic?"](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vfplo?context=5)|The only reason we are not organic is because the source of fertilser we use comes from a process (usually chemical reactions) [Do you guys ever have to deal with root rot?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vj2da?context=5)|We deal with pythium, fusarium, and verticillium. The best way to prevent these root rots is to not over irrigate them. [Will the type or temperature of water i use ( tap vs spring) have any noticeable effect on my house plants?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3viygh?context=5)|Spring water at room temperature is the best. don`t put cold or hot water in a potted plant, it will stunt its growth. [Where do I submit a CV? IT guy, here.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vhf8r?context=5)|Do a search on greenhouse grower jobs. [What is the street value of your "plants"?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3viztc?context=5)|About 24 million USD. [Do you have any experience with Deep Water Culture?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vf5yg?context=5)|No sorry. [Where is the source for your Natural Gas? Does it come from Hydraulic Fracturing? If so, does the extraction process concern you or is destroying the environment not on your radar?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/q7g8z/iama_hydroponic_grower_in_a_large_hi_tec/c3vgapp?context=5)|Our source is the same source you probably heat your home with. *Last updated: 2012-03-02 15:39 UTC* *This post was generated by a robot! Send all complaints to [epsy](/message/compose/?to=epsy).* more