Grower installs UK’s first 100% LED system for high-wire cucumbers

Glinwell PLC, a UK producer of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplants, is installing the UK’s first 100% LED grow light system for cultivating high-wire cucumbers. In recent years, high-wire growers have been rapidly adopting LEDs as supplemental lighting systems for their crops and have experienced higher yields, more consistent quality and the ability to move to continuous production. These results convinced Glinwell PLC that a 100% LED system was the best way for them to produce high-quality, British-grown cucumbers all year long to meet growing demand from UK retailers.

The only way is up
“For years, we have seen growers reap the benefits of using our LEDs in the cultivation of high-wire tomatoes. These range from higher yields and better quality fruit to more control over the growing climate and energy costs,” said Udo van Slooten, Business Leader Horticulture at Philips Lighting. “Now we see these benefits also being achieved by high-wire cucumber growers. We expect that the only way is up for LED in high-wire cultivation.”

Shaping the future
“We’re proud to be participating in this ‘first’ for the UK high-wire cucumber market,” said Joe Colletti, Director of Glinwell PLC. “During the winter months, we produce our cucumbers at our own overseas nurseries. We expect that this move will enable us to start growing cucumbers also on British soil, every month of the year. Not only does this greatly reduce our food miles, it allows us to meet the demands of some of Britain’s largest retailers, who want to offer consumers fresh, tasty products that are locally sourced.”

Philips Horticulture Partner Cambridge HOK will be installing the 100% LED system which consists of two lines of Philips GreenPower LED interlighting and one line of Philips GreenPower LED toplighting. The project will be undertaken jointly by Eduard Udyanskyy, Growing Manager at Glinwell PLC, and Erik Stappers, Plant Specialist at Philips Lighting.

For more information:
Philips
www.philips.com/horti