Dutch Touch Greenhouse Operations Quiz

Study Notes

Dutch Touch has over 1500 plant varieties and sells around two and a half to three million plants, with a greenhouse holding about 75,000 plants.
The business started 30 years ago, with the founders building structures gradually to accommodate more plants and increase profitability.
The founders had backgrounds in construction and flower shops, later taking agriculture classes to enhance their plant knowledge.
Dutch Touch is a specialty grower that adapts to industry trends and customer preferences by constantly adding new structures and plant varieties.
They work with a local co-op for materials and equipment, using technology like vent control motors and automated booms for irrigation.
Daily operations involve planning tasks, prioritizing plant maintenance, and addressing issues like pest management and plant watering.
Dutch Touch primarily operates as a wholesaler, but also caters to smaller customers who can shop like at a grocery store, and occasionally serve retail customers.- Plants are strategically placed in the greenhouse based on factors like location and compatibility for optimal growth, pest control, and watering efficiency.
Trailing plants are easy to propagate, allowing for increased profits from a single crop.
A shade structure was installed to accommodate a custom order for a company requiring a large quantity of house plants.
South-facing windows are recommended for house plants as they receive consistent sunlight throughout the day.
A specialized system is used to automatically water plants based on established timing, reducing manual watering efforts.
The greenhouse irrigation system utilizes renewable water sources and advanced controllers for efficient plant hydration.
Infrastructure planning includes incorporating watering and irrigation systems into new structures for seamless plant care.
The greenhouse features an automated shade structure to regulate sunlight exposure based on light intensity.
Regular maintenance checks are conducted on equipment like shade structures, benches, basket lines, and water pumps.
The business ships products using a box truck, primarily selling wholesale to locations like Chicago and Michigan.
The greenhouse temperature is maintained around 50 degrees in winter, with backup generators in place to prevent outages affecting plant health.
Cacti are a significant focus, with over 120 varieties cultivated, requiring specific watering schedules and temperature ranges.

Description

Test your knowledge about Dutch Touch, a specialty grower with over 1500 plant varieties and advanced greenhouse technology. Learn about their daily operations, plant propagation techniques, strategic plant placement, and infrastructure planning.