"Most lighting controls in the market are schedule-based," James Fleet with Bloemteknik says. "Some provide insights, but still require the grower to interpret the data and act. GreenFingers closes that loop by acting on the data itself." GreenFingers is the new platform developed by Bloemteknik to autonomously manage greenhouse lighting based on incoming sunlight and crop-specific targets. The platform operates through a set of algorithms that connect directly with LED fixtures and adjust light output within safe-state parameters without manual intervention.
© Bloemteknik
GreenFingers is hardware-agnostic and can be deployed on existing installations. Bloemteknik plans to release a list of compatible fixtures at launch. The platform is designed to work with dynamic as well as dimmable LED fixtures. "While dynamic spectrum provides full functionality, dimmable fixtures can still use the platform to reduce electricity use by limiting light output when sufficient solar radiation is available," James explains.
GreenFingers operates without continuous grower input. James notes that growers typically manage multiple systems simultaneously, including climate, HVAC, and lighting. "Even with insights, someone still has to make decisions. This system removes that manual step, effectively eliminating decision-related downtime and ensuring consistent, uninterrupted operation."
Bloemteknik was founded three years ago by Charlie Benson and James Fleet following GE Current's exit from the horticultural lighting market. The company develops lighting platforms rather than single products, enabling growers to customise the lighting solution to their needs, with the stated aim of supporting productivity while managing cost of ownership.
Since its founding, Bloemteknik has developed four platforms serving six crops and reports approximately 30,000 fixtures deployed. Earlier this year, the company announced a capital raise involving UK-based private equity firm Foresight, alongside funding from Innovate UK to support market introduction of its technology.
© Bloemteknik
James Fleet and Charlie Benson, Founders
Three layers
James explains GreenFingers is built around three functional layers. "The first step is data acquisition. The initial release focuses on capturing solar radiance at plant level, measuring photon quantity, quality, and spectral composition."
Data is collected through a spectral sensor at the plant canopy. This allows the platform to measure not only light intensity, but also the composition of the incoming light. "Many existing systems focus on quantity alone," James says. "GreenFingers combines quantity and quality to inform control decisions."
In the second stage, the platform analyses the measured solar radiation against an optimal lighting strategy for the crop. The system evaluates whether plants are receiving too many or too few photons, and whether the spectral mix aligns with predefined crop requirements. This process moves the platform from data collection into insight generation.
The third stage is autonomous execution. Based on the analysis, GreenFingers wirelessly sends control signals directly to the lighting fixtures to adjust light intensity or spectrum. "Most lighting controls in the market are schedule-based," James says. "Some provide insights, but still require the grower to interpret the data and act. GreenFingers closes that loop by acting on the data itself."
The control logic adapts to different locations and production contexts. Whether in northern regions with limited daylight or southern regions with high solar radiation, the platform adjusts lighting based on real-time conditions. "On a sunny day or a cloudy day, the algorithm provides only the light that can be used by the plant," James says.
Growers can define specific parameters, such as photoperiod targets, daily light integral, light quality balance, energy considerations, or production goals. These parameters are incorporated into the control strategy during setup. The platform then operates autonomously within those boundaries.
GreenFingers is offered through Bloem's Pay-As-You-Grow subscription model calculated per fixture. There is no long-term contract, and growers can activate or deactivate the platform remotely.
The first commercial release focuses on solar-driven lighting control. Future phases are planned to include biological and photosynthesis-related measurements. Commercial and academic trials are currently underway in Europe, including greenhouse trials in Spain and Portugal, with a focus on crops exposed to high solar radiation levels over extended periods.
GreenFingers is scheduled for commercial availability during this year's growing season.
To learn more about this technology, join Bloemteknik for their webinar on March 4th at 2 PM CET. The session will take a deep dive into what the company calls the next frontier in greenhouse lighting, showing how real-time, autonomous control can deliver the ideal day of light, every day, without grower intervention. Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak directly with the founders and explore setting up their own trial.
For more information:
Bloemteknik
Sophia House Cathedral Rd Cardiff CF11 9LJ, United Kingdom
+44 (0) 2920 660250
[email protected]
bloemteknik.com
