Indoor vertical farms typically obtain their seeds from various sources. Here are some common methods for acquiring seeds for indoor vertical farming:
- Seed Suppliers: Vertical farms often purchase seeds from reputable seed suppliers or distributors. These suppliers specialize in providing a wide range of vegetable, herb, and plant seeds suitable for indoor cultivation. They may offer specific varieties optimized for vertical farming, such as compact or high-yield varieties.
- Seed Banks: Seed banks are repositories that preserve and store a wide variety of seeds for different plant species. Vertical farms may access seed banks to obtain heirloom or rare varieties, ensuring genetic diversity in their crops. Seed banks often provide high-quality seeds that have been carefully preserved and maintained for long-term viability.
- Seed Saving: Some vertical farms practice seed saving, where they collect and save seeds from their own crops. This allows them to maintain a self-sustaining seed supply, ensuring consistency and control over the quality of their seeds. Seed saving involves selecting healthy, high-performing plants, allowing them to produce seeds for future use.
- Research Institutions and Universities: Vertical farms may collaborate with research institutions, agricultural universities, or plant breeding programs. These partnerships can provide access to specialized seeds, new varieties, or experimental crops developed through breeding programs or genetic modification. Collaboration with research institutions can help vertical farms stay at the forefront of innovation in plant genetics.
- Vertical Farm Networks: Some vertical farming companies or networks have their own seed banks or seed repositories. They may have developed specific varieties optimized for vertical farming systems, and these seeds may be available exclusively to members or partners within the network.
When selecting seeds for indoor vertical farming, growers consider factors such as crop characteristics, growth habits, disease resistance, taste, and market demand. They also evaluate the compatibility of specific seed varieties with the vertical farming system’s environmental conditions, such as lighting, temperature, and nutrient delivery. Choosing high-quality seeds from reliable sources is crucial to ensure consistent and successful crop production in indoor vertical farms.