Since the end of 2021, the Roots greenhouse at the Zwethlaan in Honselersdijk has been colouring pink. At this location, the modern tomato nursery of mini-troscherry tomatoes has switched to a brand new LED cultivation system. Thanks to this innovation, the company will be able to make gains in terms of quality, sales and sustainability in the future.
Optimum light recipe
The company, with an area of 26 hectares divided over four locations in Honselersdijk and Zevenhuizen, has now been growing under the pink supplemental lighting for several months. Luc van der Knaap, member of the board at Roots, explains: "In November 2021, we removed some of the old lamps and replaced them with Signify's GreenPower LED toplighting force 3500 (TLF) in collaboration with Stolze. The new grow lights are distributed in a checkerboard arrangement through the greenhouse to ensure equal light and heat distribution."
Since then, everything has been done in Honselersdijk to create the optimal light recipe. To this end, Roots continues to cooperate with Stolze and Signify. "Together, we have the right knowledge in house when it comes to growing with LED lights. We see it as a great advantage that they are involved in this, because working with LEDs is still a different way of growing."
In their own words, the growers are taking 'a calculated gamble' with the LED lighting. Photo credits: Signify and Roots Growers
'Light' positive results
Although LED cultivation systems are being used more and more often, Roots has taken what it says is a bold step. "Whether we can achieve better quality and more sales through this step will soon have to be proven in practice. Not much is known about the way we have done it now - on such a large scale. Certainly not with the crop we grow, so in that area we have certainly taken a calculated gamble."
Nevertheless, Luc is convinced that the quality of the mini-vine cherry tomatoes will become even better with the installation of the new growth lights. He is already cautiously positive about the first results: "We see that the plant is growing well, but of course we would like to see the sales increase, especially in winter. So we can only draw a definite conclusion at a later stage."
Further expansion not excluded
But it's not just about quality and sales: "LED lamps are of course increasingly popular, because they are much more energy-efficient. With Signify's grow lights we get twice as much light with the same power input. In view of the current exciting energy market that is advantageous, but what we also find important is sustainability. We are taking big steps in that area too with this investment," says Luc.
With the company's vision, this is also the motivation to further expand with LED lighting at the other locations in the future. "We don't have any concrete plans yet, but I think that's coming!", Luc concludes.
For more information:
Roots Growers 
[email protected]
www.rootsgrowers.nl