In 2015, Cravo's Demonstration & Training center in Culiacan, Mexico welcomed growers from North America and as far away as Australia, South Africa and India. Visitors saw first-hand the performance benefits of yields, quality and season extension of 4 months for crops like peppers and cucumbers in the retractable roof at latitude 24.
For 2016, berry crops are being expanded to respond to the positive results and the accelerated growth in this sector globally. There are now 3 varieties of blueberries, short and long day strawberries and plans are finalizing on transplanting raspberries. This year a tunnel was constructed so that visitors familiar with growing in static structures can observe the same planted crops using this system.
Impact of mist on managing excessive heat
Vine crops of peppers, tomatoes & cucumbers saw plantings 6 weeks earlier (September 2) to target the high priced window in December and to test a longer season extension. For added cooling a low pressure misting system was added to the X-Frame to develop protocols to utilize this added feature.
While Cravo harvested until the end of June last year, they wanted to prove they could grow further into the summer while maintaining fruit size and quality. To help accomplish this, a low pressure misting system was installed. In the section with a stationary insect net, the misting system is installed in between the retractable roof and the stationary insect net to help reduce temperatures, while minimizing the wetting of the leaves. In the section without the insect net, the misting system is installed below the retractable roof. Cravo believes this design will be good for producing in extreme heat without the use of pad and fan cooling. This has the ability to result in significant water savings while simultaneously reducing usage of electricity.
Upcoming Cravo demo house tours
Cravo will be hosting tours again this year at their Demonstration and Training Center from April to June. If you are interested, contact Derek Vollebregt at derekv@cravo.com for more information. The training center is open 5 days per week for visitors who happen to be in Mexico and wish to visit.
