News

Growing lettuces in new climate cells, model for ‘city farm’ concept.

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands – Philips and greenhouse grower Deliscious have developed a new cultivation concept for lettuce using LED lighting. In a special climate chamber, tiny lettuces are grown in layers, one on top of another, under LED lighting with a light spectrum precisely tailored to promote plant growth. The optimization of the cultivation process has resulted in better yields for the grower and consistent-quality produce. With the correct lighting, Deliscious can grow perfect heads of root-ball lettuce all year round.

“This is the first real model for ‘city farming’, a new and sustainable concept that is increasingly starting to be used in cities and more densely populated areas for people to produce their own food in unusual locations, such as on patios and roofs. Given the growing level of urbanization and the need to grow food closer to home, this innovation ensures optimum use of the cultivation area,” explains Udo van Slooten, Director of LED Horticulture at Philips. “Space, water and energy are becoming increasingly scarce resources and that is why we are working on sustainable growing methods. The multi-layer method of cultivation currently used by Delicious is a ground-breaking concept and a model for the future.”

From seedling to plant under LED lighting

In the spring of 2012 the first potable lettuces will be harvested from the new greenhouse. During the first phase – from seedling to potable plant – the root-ball lettuce will be grown in seven layers, one on top of another, in a special eight-meter-high climate chamber lit with Philips GreenPower LED lighting.

After more than a year of testing with various lighting levels and spectra on a single growing layer, just the right lighting mix has been found for the cultivation of root ball lettuce without daylight. This means that the growing time can be considerably reduced and the quality of the lettuces is more consistent throughout the seasons. By using this new lighting formula Deliscious can manage the entire production process in-house – from seed to lettuce head – and minimize adverse external impacts at source and on quality. Production can be made more efficient as a result and the company can reliably supply consistent-quality lettuce all year round.

Custom service

Philips aims to provide its clients with a custom service and therefore offers a total package for greenhouse horticulture businesses, with the lighting installation and maintenance provided by Philips. To enable greenhouse growers to switch rapidly to innovative solutions using LED lighting, Philips can also provide operational funding through Philips Lighting Capital. In this way growers can repay the cost of the lighting over time from the more efficient production.

Philips also offers integrated lighting solutions of this type to other clients in industry, retail, and the hospitality trade, as well as municipalities and government bodies. These service and finance packages mean that Philips can make it possible for organizations in both the public and private sectors to invest sooner in innovative lighting solutions.