Together with Philips, Arjan de Hoog began an intensive period of testing different colored LEDs and light recipes on several orchid varieties, first on a small scale and then on a larger scale. Philips specialists measured the light levels and provided advice on the light recipes. The ultimate goal was to reduce energy costs in the cooling cell used to initiate flowering, increase the number of flowering buds on plants, and achieve year-round production of challenging orchid varieties.
As a result of its thorough LED tests, the company constructed a brand new greenhouse at its location on Vrederustlaan and equipped it with the latest technologies to grow Dendrobium Nobilé year round in a special cooling cell. The cooling cell has been equipped with three vertical layers, each illuminated by Philips GreenPower LED production modules using a defined light recipe.
Arjan de Hoog says, “With the LEDs, we have achieved results we couldn’t achieve using HPS lights. The LED lighting gives us a real competitive advantage by inducing more flower buds on a plant, even the difficult orchid varieties, year round.” De Hoog believes this is the first LED installation of its kind for large-scale production of orchids.
Looking ahead, Arjan de Hoog believes that LED will play an even more important role in floriculture by allowing growers to reduce energy costs, while controlling certain growth phases of plants, coloration, blooming, and the overall quality of the plant itself.
For more information
Philips Horticulture LED Solutions
Daniela Damoiseaux
Global MarCom Manager
High Tech Campus 45, Eindhoven
HTC 45, Ground Floor, PO Box 80020, 5600JM Eindhoven
T: +31 6 31 65 29 69