Final answer:
Greenhouses can grow crops such as alpine exotics, salad greens, and out-of-season flowers due to the manipulation of light, regulation of temperature and humidity, protection from pests and environmental factors, and the extended growing season.
Step-by-step explanation:
Greenhouses can grow crops such as alpine exotics, salad greens, and out-of-season flowers due to several factors:
- Manipulation of Light: Greenhouses use different types of lights to mimic natural sunlight and provide the necessary wavelengths for plant growth. For example, fluorescent lights high in blue wavelengths encourage leafy growth and are ideal for starting seedlings. Incandescent lamps rich in red light promote flowering in some plants.
- Regulation of Temperature and Humidity: Greenhouses allow for precise control of temperature and humidity, creating optimal growing conditions for plants that may not thrive in the local climate.
- Protection from Pests and Environmental Factors: Greenhouses provide a barrier against pests, diseases, extreme weather conditions, and temperature fluctuations, ensuring a more stable and controlled environment for plant growth.
- Extended Growing Season: By providing a warm and protected environment, greenhouses extend the growing season for crops, allowing for the cultivation of plants that would otherwise be limited to specific seasons.