Creating shelf space
with light

For the new lab, Sierra Gold wants to make sure the light was just right. It collected information from other labs, researchers, and consultants around the world, and conducted a cost analysis of LED vs fluorescent lights. After weighing up the options, Sierra Gold was so confident in choosing LED technology that they saw no need to trial it against fluorescent lighting.

Working with Hort Americas, Sierra Gold Nurseries installed Philips GreenPower LED production modules in Deep Red and Blue. Because of the virtually heat-free performance of the lights, the correct temperature can be maintained easily. Vice President Cliff Beumel explains: “In a tissue culture growth room the plants have to be kept at the right temperature. A temperature increase of only -15 ºC / 5 ºF can have an adverse effect on the plants.”

Beumel says fluorescent ballast with two 40-watt bulbs sitting underneath a tissue culture shelf can raise the temperature of the shelf. If there is not enough space between the lights and the shelf, the warmer temperature can lead to problems with plant uniformity. Because there is no temperature increase with LED, Beumel can install more shelves and grow more plants, making for a more efficient setup.

LED plant grow lights are helping Sierra Gold Nurseries to achieve better plant uniformity and produce a greater quantity of roots. In addition, the energy-efficient performance of LED creates significant savings.