How do I set up a tribe-owned greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Setting up a tribe-owned greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved is a great way to boost your tribe's resource production, especially for crops like vegetables and berries. Greenhouses provide a significant growth speed bonus and yield increase for crops, making them essential for advanced crafting and taming. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to set one up effectively.

First, you need to understand the greenhouse mechanics. Greenhouses are built using greenhouse structures, which include greenhouse walls, ceilings, and roofs. These structures are made from materials like metal, crystal, and cementing paste. The greenhouse effect is determined by the percentage of greenhouse structures surrounding your crop plots. The higher the percentage, the better the growth speed and yield. A 100% greenhouse effect provides the maximum bonus, which is a 300% increase in growth speed and yield.

To start, gather the necessary resources. You will need a lot of metal ingots, crystal, and cementing paste. Metal ingots are smelted from metal ore in a forge, crystal is mined from crystal nodes, and cementing paste can be crafted from chitin or keratin and stone, or harvested from beaver dams. You will also need polymer, which can be crafted from organic polymer or obsidian and cementing paste. Make sure your tribe has a steady supply of these materials before starting construction.

Next, choose a location for your greenhouse. Ideally, this should be near your main base but in a secure area to protect it from raids. Flat terrain is best for easier construction. Clear the area of any obstacles and lay down a foundation. Greenhouse structures must be placed on foundations or ceilings, so start by placing a large foundation grid. Use metal foundations for durability, especially in PvP servers.

Once the foundation is laid, begin building the greenhouse walls and ceilings. Greenhouse walls are transparent and allow sunlight to pass through, which is essential for the greenhouse effect. Place the walls around the perimeter of your foundation grid, leaving space for doors or windows if needed. Then, add greenhouse ceilings above the crop plots. The ceilings must be directly above the plots to count toward the greenhouse effect.

After the structure is complete, place your crop plots inside the greenhouse. Large crop plots are recommended for growing vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and corn, which are used in advanced recipes and kibble. Fill the plots with water using a water source or irrigation system. You can connect water pipes to a nearby water source or use a water tank to store water. Make sure the plots are irrigated properly to keep the crops growing.

Now, plant your seeds in the crop plots. Each crop requires specific seeds, such as rockarrot seeds for carrots or longrass seeds for longrass. You can find seeds by harvesting bushes or using a tamed herbivore like a Brontosaurus or Stegosaurus. Once planted, the crops will grow faster and yield more due to the greenhouse effect. Regularly check the plots to ensure they have enough water and fertilizer. Fertilizer can be crafted from feces and thatch in a compost bin or obtained from tamed creatures like the Phiomia.

For tribe management, ensure that the greenhouse is set to tribe-owned. This allows all tribe members to access and maintain the crops. Assign roles to tribe members, such as a farmer role, to manage the greenhouse and ensure it is always stocked with water and fertilizer. Use tribe logs to track who is contributing and to prevent resource theft.

Common mistakes to avoid include building the greenhouse in an unsafe location, using the wrong materials, or not properly irrigating the crop plots. Always prioritize security, especially in PvP servers, by adding turrets or tamed creatures to defend the greenhouse. Avoid using thatch or wood structures, as they are easily destroyed.

Advanced techniques include automating the greenhouse with Tek structures or using tamed creatures like the Dung Beetle to produce fertilizer automatically. You can also optimize the layout by stacking crop plots vertically to save space. Use a combination of greenhouse walls and ceilings to maximize the greenhouse effect while minimizing resource usage.

In solo play, setting up a greenhouse is still beneficial but requires more effort. Focus on smaller greenhouses with fewer crop plots to manage resources efficiently. Use tamed creatures to help gather materials and defend the greenhouse.

In conclusion, setting up a tribe-owned greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful planning, resource management, and teamwork. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, your tribe can enjoy the benefits of faster crop growth and increased yields, giving you a significant advantage in the game.