Page 16 - IPLANTS_Nov 2021 issue_TAMMY FINAL VERSION_Nov 30th_21_LARGE VERSION

Prior Proper

Planning

Prevents

Possible

Problems

By Carolyn Goodin, CLP

The best-case scenario is for the plant company to

get on the design team. This way the plants may be
designed into the project and attention to lighting,
for good plant performance, will be drawn on the
floor plans. In the real world this is not always
possible. Usually, the plants are placed after the

plans are drawn. Often, an environmental analysis
cannot be performed until the project is built.
However, whether before or after construction, For example, if the exposure is east, the window

performing the analysis before the plants are will receive morning sun. ENE exposure
installed, will alleviate potential future problems. will be only in the early morning hours. ESE,
however, will receive light through the early
When given the floor plan with plant placements afternoon. Full South will receive direct light
included, visit the site with light meter in hand. from late morning through early afternoon.

Determine the plants, if any, that will be placed Full west windows will receive direct light from
at widow positions. These will essentially receive midafternoon through sunset and so forth.
natural light. Natural light is essentially full Carry a compass to determine all window

spectrum light. Note if the windows are tinted. exposures.
Tinted windows are designed to filter out Ultraviolet
light and will diminish intensity. Next, note the Determine interior positions where plants
exposure of the window. The exposure will tell you will depend on artificial light. Determine the
how long the light will be available and also inform distance from the lamp to the plant. Realize that

you as to whether the plant at this position will be the light level will decrease exponentially, with
subject to heat. distance from the source. What kind of lamps

16 Making The New Normal Better!