The characteristics of Phalaenopsis orchid propagation are a long cultivation period and a high demand for heat, so the cost of heating is very high. Is there a way to reduce energy consumption and be more environmentally friendly to meet future needs? Some orchid growers in the Netherlands, PlantLighting, a plant lighting company, and Certhon, an integrated facility horticulture company, are conducting an innovative study. Propagating Phalaenopsis seedlings in completely sunless conditions might be an option. So far, the results of this research have been very optimistic.

This project began at the end of 2023, where orchid grower Ter Laak Orchios and Certhon jointly explored sustainable development approaches for Phalaenopsis cultivation. Certhon has a history of over 120 years and is dedicated to developing tailor-made facility horticulture solutions for different clients. The Ter Laak Orchios company produces 9 million Phalaenopsis plants a year and is a super-large-scale orchid production enterprise.

After various brainstorming sessions, they came up with an innovative idea of production without light. Data calculations show that compared with traditional glass greenhouses, production without any sunlight can significantly reduce the demand for heat. Moreover, compared with purchasing fuel from outside, most of the electricity needed to provide lighting can also be solved locally.

The key question is: Is it possible to cultivate high-quality orchids without sunlight?

▲The existing production greenhouse of Ter Laak Orchid Company

At present, the entire industry in the Netherlands is facing the goal of achieving more sustainable and energy-efficient planting. Therefore, the industry organization - Pot Orchid Crop Cooperative submitted a subsidy application to a project of the Dutch government that encourages energy conservation and the use of sustainable energy in greenhouse horticulture, and received support. In addition to Ter Laak Orchid Company, several large Phalaenopsis producers such as Opti-flor, Levoplant, Anthura, Pikoplant and floriculture are also involved, co-creating and sharing innovations.

The experiment was conducted in two 160-square-meter completely sunless rooms at the Certhon Innovation Center, where the traditional glass greenhouse roofs were replaced with sandwich panels. Solar panels are installed on the roof to power the LED lighting inside the room. The air handling system with heat recovery function ensures efficient dehumidification, and the evaporation volume is precisely controlled through the precise distribution of air in the pipes. Phalaenopsis reproduces and grows under these completely controllable conditions. Certhon's technical experts believe that Phalaenopsis orchids require more heat and relatively less light, making them highly suitable for this sunless cultivation method. Because in such a closed environment, the balance among environmental data can be adjusted more precisely than in a greenhouse, where the system needs to be constantly adjusted.

▲Technical experts from Ter Laak Orchid Company and Certhon Company are in the experimental planting room

The results of the experiment are quite optimistic. Compared with traditional greenhouses, the new experimental environment requires nearly 70% less heat, and the additional power consumption is largely offset by the rooftop solar panels. The quality and growth rate of Phalaenopsis seedlings are close to those of the control cultivation in ordinary greenhouses, and the uniformity has also been significantly improved. Sunless cultivation also has operational advantages. Moreover, the growth conditions remain unchanged throughout the year. The utilization efficiency of geothermal energy is much higher, control becomes more autonomous, and the combination with sustainable energy is more effective.

At present, the project is still ongoing. By the end of October, the repeated trials had been launched, and new energy-saving explorations were also initiated simultaneously. Current experiments show that sunless breeding is technically feasible and energy-saving. The investment cost is comparable to that of modern Phalaenopsis seedling glass greenhouses, and the operational returns are quite attractive. However, this technology is more suitable for new projects because it is technically unfeasible to renovate existing glass greenhouses with sandwich panels.