Improving crop growth and worker comfort with Phormium's Clima+ 35 O at Amerigo Farms

John Albers is the proud President at Amerigo Farms, located in Mt. Dora, Florida. With a passion for cultivating flowering crops, John has expanded his farm with the latest greenhouse technology from Cravo, the Cravo Retractable Cooling House. The primary focus of this expansion is to grow Calla Lilies.

The challenge
The hurdle encountered by John was the intense heat during the summer months in Florida. While Calla Lilies can tolerate direct sunlight, the combination of extreme heat proved to be disastrous for the delicate flowers. This posed a significant challenge as May and June (extremely hot, but critical months for the growing season) were unsuitable for cultivation.

Without an effective solution, Amerigo Farms faced the risk of being unable to cultivate Calla Lilies during these crucial months, impacting both productivity and profitability.

The solution
John Albers turned to Phormium, a producer of agricultural shading solutions and in consultation with sales manager Joshua Gauche, he selected the Clima+ 35 O shading screen, which was integrated into the Retractable Cooling House.

The Clima+ 35 O was mainly selected for its proven performance in previous greenhouse installations, showcasing its ability to effectively regulate temperature and protect crops from the damage of direct sunlight and heat. Additionally, the open-weave structure of the screen allows water (rain) and airflow to pass through, ensuring optimal irrigation for the crops.

An extra feature, noted by John, was the double function of the screen. Not only does it shield the plants from excessive heat and sunlight, but it also creates a comfortable working environment for the farm's employees.

The integration of the Cravo system with Phormium's Clima+ 35 O proved to be 'a game-changer for Amerigo Farms. They now had the flexibility to adapt to extremely high temperatures, ensuring that the Calla Lilies received the optimal growth climate.

Moreover, the cooling effect of Clima+ 35 O, contributed to increased productivity of the farm's staff.

The collaboration between Amerigo Farms, Cravo, and Phormium exemplifies the synergy between innovative technology and sustainable agriculture. By addressing the specific challenge of heat in the summer months, the farm created a more comfortable environment and obtained a healthy crop yield during the first growing season. Phormium is happy to contribute with its shading screen. As John says: "people love it, plants love it and after all, plants are people too!"