Growing More Crops Vertically with HORTIV’s Flexible Solutions
Vertical Field develops cutting-edge technologies for the latest generation of indoor vertical farms. Its 360-degree turn-key solutions integrate data-driven technology, crop science, and patented equipment to make consistent, efficient, and resilient supply of fresh produce year-round possible anywhere in the world.-free.
Its farming technology uses minimal resources, which can be controlled remotely via an IoT system, creating the best conditions for plants to thrive in and reach maximum yields.
Partnering with experts, Vertical Field offers the first fully customizable and nature-based indoor solutions that can transform any space into a hyper-efficient farm, serving a very broad clientele of food suppliers, such as supermarket chains, restaurants and many others.
The company strives to be at the forefront of the modern urban revolution by improving access to healthy, fresh and consistent food supplies in city centers, providing increasingly efficient environmentally sound growing solutions for their dwellers.
Vertical Field has partnered with several leading research institutions in the largest known living-walls experiment—to methodologically study and quantify the impacts and opportunities of smart vertical solutions as they relate to Nature Based Solutions (NBS).
The Challenge
To find lightning fixtures that are suitable for different types of vertical growing systems and expand the range of crops that can be efficiently cultivated this way.
The Hortiv Solution
Hortiv’s systems and support gave Vertical Field the flexibility it required, with more adaptable and adjustable equipment and solutions, by performing trials for the particular needs of vertical farming together.
The Result
Vertical Field is now able to extend its research and development efforts with lighting that is appropriate for different types of crops and stages of development.
Our Customer Says
“When talking about growing plants there are several parameters
essential to realizing crop potential. One of them is the lighting
system where we need to determine color, intensity, and duration
of illumination. Obviously, all this has to make financial sense with
lower power consumption and increase energy efficiency for our
investment.
This includes farming in closed enclosures, in containers and later,
in hangars.
I chose to work with HORTIV as our main supplier because they
have the ability to produce the fixtures and the equipment,
customizing the products according to my requirements. They are
knowledgeable, so even if I come with my own requirements or
fantasize about specific solutions, they make things happen. They
can provide the tools and flexibility that help us make all kinds of
corrections during the development process.
It is important to note that the field of vertical growth in closed
spaces (vertical, indoor) is relatively new. HORTIV is open to be
part of a joint learning process, which is one of the reasons I enjoy
working with them.
We know that different plants at different growth stages differ in
their lighting requirements. For example at the seed-to-seedling
stage, the plant will invest more energy in producing a strong and
healthy root system, whereas in the seedling-to-mature plant
stage, the plant will invest more energy in developing foliage. In
fruits, for instance, light plays a central role in promoting
blossoming.
When growing in closed spaces, the lighting we provide the plant
is their only source of light, so we need to learn how to adjust and
reach the right type and level. Building new knowhow and products
is critical in an area that has not yet been well studied. Despite a
lot of information available on the internet, not all of it is reliable
and it’s important to verify it.
Looking ahead, most companies currently active in the sector
concentrate on growing leafy greens rather than a variety of other
vegetables. We have been busy researching for 3 years aiming to
expand the range that can be grown in closed spaces. To mention
just one initiative, we are working on growing strawberries
simultaneously with pod crops, tomatoes, beans, zucchini or melons.
We have operations in Austria, where we are establishing a cluster
that supplies to supermarkets in Vienna. We also run a cluster in
Israel for the Rami Levy chain for which we grow leafy greens.” said Idan Ayalon, Agronomist