Lumigrow adds vigor to Tomatoes of Patterson Greenhouses:
'60 percent lower monthly energy bills for North Carolina grower'
Patterson Greenhouses has been successfully producing tomatoes since 1998, but owner Ryan Patterson said he's been looking for a way to increase crop yields within the existing 7,400 square-foot space for a while. Due to North Carolina's relatively long growing season and mild winters, the company hadn't used supplemental lighting before. Patterson, who is also president of the North Carolina Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association, knew that installing supplemental lighting was the most likely way to achieve the company's goal of growing more tomatoes without adding another bay to the greenhouse.
"If you average the amount of sunshine we receive each winter, it seems like we shouldn't require extra light," said Patterson. "If we have three cloudy days in a row, though, the plants don't get what they need so they don't grow as big or as fast. The tomatoes we have under the LumiGrow lights show more vigor than those that aren't."
Currently, one third of Patterson's tomato crop benefits from LumiGrow LED supplemental lighting. The 700 plants soaking up the extra rays are growing faster than those using sunlight alone.
The spectral control enabled by LumiGrow lighting also allows growers to use light to encourage plant growth towards the vegetative or reproductive states. For instance, during the early stages of tomato growth when thicker stalks are desirable, the plants under supplemental lighting were .63 inches in diameter wider than those that didn't receive extra light. This was a clear early indication of their superior vigor.
"We're very happy to say that tomatoes love LumiGrow," said Neil Coppinger, LumiGrow's Vice President of Sales. "We're dedicated to working with growers like Patterson to ensure they get specific results tailored to the needs of their crops."
Patterson decided to use LEDs rather than another form of horticultural lighting for a couple of reasons. Tomatoes are relatively tall plants so he didn't want to use lights that would potentially overheat or burn the crop as they grow to their full height. LEDs are a good choice in this instance because they produce less heat than other light sources. They also convert the electricity they use into light much more efficiently than legacy lighting systems — which means 60 percent lower monthly energy bills — another factor in Patterson's decision.
The company turned to LumiGrow because of its knowledgeable sales and technical services teams and also because it tries to buy American products whenever possible. Patterson is now looking into other ways to fine-tune their operation with state-of-the-art control systems as well as considering adding even more supplemental lighting.
For more information:
LumiGrow
T: 800-514-0487
Email: info@lumigrow.com
www.lumigrow.com