NL: Improved alstroemeria yield with LED

Dutch Nursery de Hazekamp installed several Unilights Green LED fixtures in two test sections of their greenhouse. The grower, who has almost one and a half hectares of alstroemeria, wants to find out whether an increased production can be realized with 2 different, higher light levels.

"The picture doesn’t really show actual reality, it only reveals the LEDs in operation. When the SON-T is lit, you will hardly see the LEDs in the picture", says grower Gert van Daalen. "In practice it will almost always be a combination of the two lights. Alstroemeria can sometimes also use the heat well, it is possible to switch off the SON-T earlier and with LEDs on to get just a little extra range." 

The test is not entirely unique: there are already a few fellow growers with LED tests, and there is even one with a test that includes a number of hectares. Also the Gewascoöperatie Alstroemeria, of which Gert is the chairman, is already conducting a test at family Vreugdenhil’s greenhouse. The WUR is also involved in this, with the aim, of course, of finding the best possible light recipe.

The light fixtures are supplied by Unilights Green. "Of course there are several suppliers, but the choice for them is primarily a practical one," says Gert. "I am in Brakel and they are in Den Bosch. Actually, initially I wanted to start this summer, but then it didn’t happen. When I got around to it, everything was arranged within a week. Last week we discussed the matter twice, on Saturday the lights were delivered and on Monday they were installed. Incidentally, it is true that the output of these lights, in comparison with other suppliers, is simply very good, if not the most efficient."