Methods to grow cannabis plants within an interior of an enclosure are described, the method comprises condensing water vapor from the interior of the enclosure to produce a source of liquid water and supplying the liquid water to the cannabis plants. The source of liquid water may be supplied to a common reservoir and then transferred to the cannabis plants. The common reservoir includes fish, a microorganism, or treated water. Water drained from the cannabis plants may be recycled back to the common reservoir. The water may be filtered or oxygenated and mixed with a pH adjustment solution, a macro-nutrient, a micro-nutrient, a carbohydrate, an enzyme, or a vitamin. Solar panels may be used to provide electricity for electrically powered lights that illuminate the cannabis plants. The cannabis plants may be grown within a growing medium, harvested, trimmed, ground, heated, and made into multifunctional compositions or foodstuffs.

A biological lighting system to provide temporally- and spatially-modulated photon flux output and spectral power distributions to plants on a circadian and circannual basis, or circadian and life cycle basis, to maximize effective and efficient growth in a horticultural setting. The photon flux or irradiance output and the spectral power distribution are modulated to match circadian and circannual rhythms, with individual or multiple luminaires controlled through one or more controllers. Different lighting spectra can be employed depending on the direction of illumination. The photon flux or irradiance output and the spectral power distribution may be set as best suited for any particular plant species, and the system is also useful for raising animals.

A method and apparatus for a light fixture that uses current sharing across any one or more parallel LED strings within the light fixture. A processor determines the current requirements of the one or more LED strings that are needed to produce a given intensity level. The processor then apportions the current generation capability of a power supply across all active LED strings using time division multiple access (TDMA) whereby each LED string conducts its apportioned current within its allocated time slot to the mutual exclusion of the remaining active LED strings in any given time period. The light fixture utilizes LEDs with increased forward voltage interspersed with LEDs having reduced forward voltage in the same LED string. A processor utilizes shunt devices across the one or more LEDs with increased forward voltage to substantially match the cumulative forward voltage of each LED string.

A method and apparatus for a light fixture that uses current sharing across any one or more parallel LED strings within the light fixture. A processor determines the current requirements of the one or more LED strings that are needed to produce a given intensity level. The processor then apportions the current generation capability of a power supply across all active LED strings using time division multiple access (TDMA) whereby each LED string conducts its apportioned current within its allocated time slot to the mutual exclusion of the remaining active LED strings in any given time period. The light fixture utilizes LEDs with increased forward voltage interspersed with LEDs having reduced forward voltage in the same LED string. A processor utilizes shunt devices across the one or more LEDs with increased forward voltage to substantially match the cumulative forward voltage of each LED string.

A conveyor system (4, 5) moves vertical poles (2) in an agricultural facility between a growing area (20) and a workstation (W). Each pole carries plant growing containers (3) at multiple levels (H1-H9). An irrigation reservoir (30) may be mounted atop each pole. Irrigation lines (31-33) from the reservoir may be individually metered (35) at each level to compensate for differing water pressure with height. Sensors (40) in the reservoir and at each level of the poles may provide a controller (36) with data input. The controller may impose different growing conditions in different areas of the facility, including vertically different grow areas (20A, 20B), and controls pole movements and locations selectively to provide a sequence of poles at the workstation ready to harvest on a demand schedule. The workstation may have multiple heights (W1, W2, W3) for tall poles that increase plant density per facility footprint.

A conveyor system (4, 5) moves vertical poles (2) in an agricultural facility between a growing area (20) and a workstation (W). Each pole carries plant growing containers (3) at multiple levels (H1-H9). An irrigation reservoir (30) may be mounted atop each pole. Irrigation lines (31-33) from the reservoir may be individually metered (35) at each level to compensate for differing water pressure with height. Sensors (40) in the reservoir and at each level of the poles may provide a controller (36) with data input. The controller may impose different growing conditions in different areas of the facility, including vertically different grow areas (20A, 20B), and controls pole movements and locations selectively to provide a sequence of poles at the workstation ready to harvest on a demand schedule. The workstation may have multiple heights (W1, W2, W3) for tall poles that increase plant density per facility footprint.

A plant grow unit (10) includes a body (12) that bounds an interior area (14). Access to the interior area is controlled by a door (18). The interior area houses a plurality of grow lights (50) which are selectively operated in response to at least one control circuit (96) to provide suitable illumination and radiation for growing selected plants. Shelves (46, 48) are selectively positionable for supporting plants thereon. A plurality of sensors and devices in the interior area are operated responsive to the control circuit to maintain desired conditions for plant growth within the interior area and to indicate detected conditions.

A plant grow unit (10) includes a body (12) that bounds an interior area (14). Access to the interior area is controlled by a door (18). The interior area houses a plurality of grow lights (50) which are selectively operated in response to at least one control circuit (96) to provide suitable illumination and radiation for growing selected plants. Shelves (46, 48) are selectively positionable for supporting plants thereon. A plurality of sensors and devices in the interior area are operated responsive to the control circuit to maintain desired conditions for plant growth within the interior area and to indicate detected conditions.

A method and apparatus for an indoor horticultural system that utilizes a wired network to control lighting. The wired interface is used to relay both analog and digital intensity control information, whereby an analog signal is used to control the intensity of all LED arrays in each lighting fixture during a first mode of operation and a digital signal is used to control the intensity of each individual LED array in each lighting fixture in a second mode of operation. Both the analog and digital signals utilize the same physical interface.

An approach for controlling light exposure of a light sensitive object is described. Aspects of this approach involve using a first set of radiation sources to irradiate the object with visible radiation and infrared radiation. A second set of radiation sources spot irradiate the object in a set of locations with a target ultraviolet radiation having a range of wavelengths. Radiation sensors detect radiation reflected from the object and environment condition sensors detect conditions of the environment in which the object is located during irradiation. A controller controls irradiation of the light sensitive object by the first and second set of radiation sources according to predetermined optimal irradiation settings specified for various environmental conditions. In addition, the controller adjusts irradiation settings of the first and second set of radiation sources as a function of measurements obtained by the various sensors.