Morrill Greenhouses: Facts and figures

The Morrill greenhouse facility encompasses 6,626 square feet under glass, of which approximately 90 percent is occupied by plants. The Morrill house is a semicircular unit attached to the south end of the Morrill Science Center. A glass tunnel leads to four identical ranges, numbered one to four, that are divided into east and west sections. The Clark house is located about 100 feet away from Morrill and is attached to Clark Hall.

What follows are sizes of specific areas in the various greenhouses, but note that the actual uses and sizes of the areas given below vary from year to year. Also shown is the purpose for a particular space.

• Class/Collect is the category that includes plants grown for course demonstrations or lab materials, and for undergraduate research projects.
• Research indicates space that is primarily for faculty research, and is used by post docs, graduate students, and by visitors, technicians, etc. from the faculty member's lab.
• Service refers to space dedicated to propagation, seed germination, and seedling growth.

Temperatures are regulated throughout the greenhouses by a thermostat-controlled venting system, and by fan-powered evaporators in ranges #1 through #3, east and west. Lights of various intensities with programmable timers can be rigged over any bench. Range #4 (east and west sections) is devoted solely to tropical plants, and the Clark house is where plants are grown that thrive under cooler conditions (e.g., alpines).

Growth Chambers

Our growth chambers are housed in a 60-foot by 18-foot structure located opposite the four ranges. Almost all of the plants in these chambers are used for research, although some space is allocated for class use.

The environmental parameters are determined by the individual users, but the greenhouse manager is responsible for insuring that the requested conditions are maintained.

The walk-in growth chamber features an adjustable, counter-balanced light canopy, a sampling tube that allows control at plant canopy height, and a design that permits plants to be placed directly on the floor. Specific details about the individual growth chambers include:

• 1 – Conviron PGW40 is 40 tf2, 1 growing tier with 76 in. of growth height. LED Lighting delivering up to 1000 umoles/m²/sec with closed loop dimming. Humidification capabilities and temperatures may be controlled between 4-35C
• 1-–Percival E41L2 is 13.7 ft2 per chamber, 2 growing tiers with 20” of growth height.  Lighting delivers up to 650 umoles/m²/sec with closed loop dimming. Temperatures may be controlled between 10-44C
• 1 – Percival E-75L1 is 10.8 ft2, 1 growing tier with 56” of growth height.  LED lighting up to 1360 umoles/m²/sec with closed loop dimming. Ultrasonic humidification and dehumidification capabilities. Temperatures may be controlled between 7-44C at 
• 2 – Percival E41L1s are 6.8 ft2, 1 growing tier with 46” of growth height. Lighting delivers 650 umoles/m²/sec with closed loop dimming.  Temperatures may be controlled between 7-44C. per chamber
• 4 – Conviron  E7/2 dual compartment units, each of which has 0.76 m2 x 64 cm of growing space. Lighting delivers up to 33 umoles/m2/sec. Temperatures may be controlled between 4-45C
• 1 -–125L incubator with five shelves, lighting and humidity controls, and horizontal airflow patterns.