Indoor farming, could be a big thing in the future

[Itse]

Interesting. Could especially be a big thing in cold places like Canada in Finland.

http://weburbanist.com/2015/01/11/wo...re-productive/

The statistics for this incredibly successful indoor farming endeavor in Japan are staggering: 25,000 square feet producing 10,000 heads of lettuce per day (100 times more per square foot than traditional methods) with 40% less power, 80% less food waste and 99% less water usage than outdoor fields.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Itse

Interesting. Could especially be a big thing in cold places like Canada in Finland.

http://weburbanist.com/2015/01/11/wo...re-productive/

Isn't there already some of this going on?


I was sure that an old salt mine in Canada was being used to grow pot.

[Ozy_Flame]

That 99% less water usage is staggering.

This is also from the country that has the worlds largest floating solar farm.

[Itse]

Well it's obviously been a gradual development, so there's always going to be earlier versions.

The efficiency just seems to be ramping up quickly, so I felt that now is as good a time as any to stop and think about the potential... To grow pot, if you that's the potential that first comes to mind

Especially the water usage thing could make a huge difference in some places.

[Canehdianman]

How do the plants get the nutrients they need?

Answered my own question: It gets added to the water that circulates. I'd be curious to see how efficient this is when you take into account the energy/water used to make the nutrient powder.

[troutman]

Every warehouse in Denver is involved in "indoor farming" too.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado...na-60-minutes/

[mrkajz44]

Is this a hydroponics type operation? I'd think it has to be, in order for that water figure to be correct. Any water not used by the plants are recycled and used again, so no water is ever "lost". That's my understanding anyway.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

How do the plants get the nutrients they need?

Answered my own question: It gets added to the water that circulates. I'd be curious to see how efficient this is when you take into account the energy/water used to make the nutrient powder.

Human waste.

If anyone has been to The Land pavilion at Epcot in Disney World in Florida the have a "ride" that has exibits like this showing new ways to grow vegtables in smaller area's in doors with minimal enviromental impact.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by troutman

Every warehouse in Denver is involved in "indoor farming" too.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado...na-60-minutes/

$14.53/joint?! Holy.

[Azure]

Fabulous idea.

But, I think this will not be adopted easily by North American farmers simply because companies like Monsanto and Viterra are going to fight it all the way. Hits their profit margins way too hard.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by Azure

But, I think this will not be adopted easily by North American farmers simply because companies like Monsanto and Viterra are going to fight it all the way. Hits their profit margins way too hard.

Fight it how, exactly?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by jammies

Fight it how, exactly?

By buying lawmakers. The same way every innovation is fought.

[FlamesAddiction]

Combine this with cricket farming, and you could probably feed the world.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Azure

Fabulous idea.

But, I think this will not be adopted easily by North American farmers simply because companies like Monsanto and Viterra are going to fight it all the way. Hits their profit margins way too hard.

More likely they would get in it. Seems like it would be a great way for them to make more money.

[Itse]

Yeah. More products on less land and less resources, replace farmers with robots.

Sounds like a corporate dream.

[wireframe]

I've been trying some indoor farming in my furnace room for the past year. I am only growing 8 heads of lettuce right now (only funny weed jokes allowed) and it usually takes about 3 weeks between harvests. This is my third and final experimental setup and I plan to go large scale (for a home) within the year.

It has been a cheap and fun hobby for me. I recommend it to anyone with an interest.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by wireframe

I've been trying some indoor farming in my furnace room for the past year. I am only growing 8 heads of lettuce right now (only funny weed jokes allowed) and it usually takes about 3 weeks between harvests. This is my third and final experimental setup and I plan to go large scale (for a home) within the year.

It has been a cheap and fun hobby for me. I recommend it to anyone with an interest.

you should post some photos of your set up, Id be interested in how this works

[lazy_programmer]

Originally Posted by wireframe

I've been trying some indoor farming in my furnace room for the past year. I am only growing 8 heads of lettuce right now (only funny weed jokes allowed) and it usually takes about 3 weeks between harvests. This is my third and final experimental setup and I plan to go large scale (for a home) within the year.

It has been a cheap and fun hobby for me. I recommend it to anyone with an interest.

What kind of lights are you using, I have something like this:

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B002JQBQZQ/r...ds=grow+lights

I usually use it just to start seedlings in the early spring, but tried this winter to grow lettuce in potting soil with the lights and it's definitely gonna take longer than 3 weeks. I'm avoiding any higher wattage lights primarily because of energy costs.

[kevman]

But is it certified organic?

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by kevman

But is it certified organic?

And gluten free???