
Category: Blog
How to avoid calcium deficiency in controlled environment food crops
Free Download: Key Aspects about the Use and Management of LED Lighting in Crop Production

As LED grow lights continue to become more affordable, an increasing number of greenhouse growers and vertical farmers are considering whether the lights would benefit their production systems. Several studies and growers applications have demonstrated the development of new lighting technologies such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can increase the capability to provide ideal light conditions to crops, making possible the improvement of crop performance and product quality.
Continue reading Free Download: Key Aspects about the Use and Management of LED Lighting in Crop ProductionPhotoperiod and Flowering

One of the most important environmental factors affecting flowering induction is Photoperiod. Photoperiod is defined as the time plants are exposed to light in a daily cycle.
Continue reading Photoperiod and FloweringPhotons and Yield

Light incidence over our crops will have a direct effect on yield. Photosynthesis is the most important process in plants to produce energy. But how can we relate photons of light to yield? Based on research we know now one mole of photosynthetic photons is required in order to produce one gram o dried biomass (yield).
Continue reading Photons and YieldHort Americas and its partners focus on community food production, people and jobs

Partnerships created the project AppLit resulting in the manufacturing of LED grow lights in the United States that will be used to grow greenhouse vegetables in the Appalachian region.
Continue reading Hort Americas and its partners focus on community food production, people and jobsFree Download: Substrates and Rootzone Guide


Substrates are a key element in hydroponic systems. As growers, we must learn the needs of our hydroponic systems and crops. Crops and hydroponic systems demand particular characteristics from growing substrates. Substrates, along with all environmental variables managed at the root zone level, will have a strong effect on plant growth, development, product quantity, and quality.
Continue reading Free Download: Substrates and Rootzone GuideIrrigation Systems: Key aspects to consider for drip irrigation

Irrigation can be a complex topic. In order to get to understand this topic, we need to have good base knowledge. In this article, we will summarize key aspects to provide a good introduction to irrigation management.
Continue reading Irrigation Systems: Key aspects to consider for drip irrigationHort Americas partners with Irrigation Design & Construction (IDC) to market GE Current LED grow lights

Irrigation Design & Construction has signed an agreement with Hort Americas to become an authorized dealer of GE Current, a Daintree company, LED grow lights.
Continue reading Hort Americas partners with Irrigation Design & Construction (IDC) to market GE Current LED grow lightsStomata Behavior

Stomata are pores constituted by two cells called: Guard cells. Guard cells are hydraulic valves making possible stomata closure and opening.
Stomata open or close depending on different factors: Light intensity, light quality, temperature, leaf water status, and intracellular CO2.
Continue reading Stomata BehaviorAquaponics

Aquaponics is a technique used to grow plants and aquatic animals in a system using the recirculation of water. In order to understand aquaponics, we need to have knowledge about aquaculture, hydroponics, and bacteria.
But how could aquaponics be a good option?
Continue reading AquaponicsHort Americas Brian Harris will be speaking at the 3rd Annual Controlled Environment Conference

December 9–10, 2021
The 2021 Texas A&M Controlled Environment: Urban Agriculture Conference is designed for new and prospective growers interested in specialty crop production under controlled environment and for experienced growers who want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of crop production in a controlled environment. This conference is also suitable for hobbyists and gardeners interested in hydroponic production.
Continue reading Hort Americas Brian Harris will be speaking at the 3rd Annual Controlled Environment ConferenceFree Download: Fertilizer Management and Plant Nutrition Guide


Fertilizer management and plant nutrition are key aspects that need to be learned when working with hydroponic systems.
Continue reading Free Download: Fertilizer Management and Plant Nutrition GuideLeaf Area Index: Definition and importance in crop production

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key variable used in horticultural studies involving the relation between crop growth and yield. This variable can be a very useful tool when looking to evaluate the performance of your crop.
Continue reading Leaf Area Index: Definition and importance in crop productionHow can you make LED grow lights more affordable?

Geographic location is a major driver in who qualifies for a utility rebate and how many rebate dollars are available for specific projects. Photo courtesy of Hort Americas
Hort Americas is working with Current to ensure their customers receive the maximum utility rebates for their LED grow light purchases.
Continue reading How can you make LED grow lights more affordable?Fresh Weight vs. Dry Weight

When evaluating crop performance and yield we usually look to evaluate different traits such as Size, Shape, Brix levels, Leaf area, Titratable acids, Flavor, Texture, Fresh weight, Dry weight, and more.
Continue reading Fresh Weight vs. Dry WeightUnderstanding Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD)

Vapor Pressure Deficit, also known as VPD is a very useful tool for growers. However it is a variable growers sometimes forget, do not know about its existence or do not understand.
Continue reading Understanding Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD)AppLit: The story of how companies can come together to strengthen communities

During the very early months of the pandemic, our friends at AppHarvest came to us with a challenge. They wanted to know if Hort Americas could help them source lights that were:
Continue reading AppLit: The story of how companies can come together to strengthen communitiesUnderstanding Temperature in Growing Systems

In order to improve temperature control inside of a growing system, we must understand how temperature works inside of a system with plants and the variables involved in determining temperature for our crops.
There are different variables that affect temperature in plants. Some of the most important variables are radiation, metabolic heat, latent heat and sensible heat.
Continue reading Understanding Temperature in Growing SystemsGrowing Microgreens

Microgreens are gaining attention from small, medium and large growers. This is a product that can be used to expand a current market or start a small business with good profits.
Continue reading Growing Microgreens
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