LED plant lighting makes roses grow bigger buds

Growers in the Netherlands have improved the size of the roses after trying out the LED plants.

In the rose line, size is important because bigger buds and longer stems are more commercially valuable in the market.

The newly adjusted ceiling light is part of the Philips Green Power Horticultural lighting series. Philips said that the previous LED rose formula increased production but did not increase the size of the rose. After adjusting for frequency, intensity and duration, Philips and its partners claimed that this part of the quality equation has now been cracked.

Marc Koene, head of Dutch plantation SK Roses, said, “Rose branches that grow under the new spectrum are longer, heavier, and have bigger buds.” This plantation includes other planters, academia and research institutions. About 30 companies within the company work with Philips to promote horticultural lighting technology.

Udo van Slooten, head of Philips Lighting's horticulture business, said, "Feedback from this coalition has helped us improve the quality and quantity of roses grown under LED lighting."

So what are the secrets proposed by Philips and 30 partners? Philips did not disclose that its spokesperson said: "Formulations are part of our accumulated knowledge and cannot be shared openly."