RED x Pierrick L’Eost in 2021
The world-travelling journalist conquering the strawberries of Plougastel
14 November 2023
The world-travelling journalist conquering the strawberries of Plougastel.
Pierrick L’Eost is a strawberry producer in the “Fraise de Plougastel” region. After a career in journalism and a trip around the world, Pierrick decided to settle down in Loperhet in 2019 to set up a 1.3 hectare farm. He produces the Gariguette and Mariguette strawberry varieties in a hanging garden, in a glass greenhouse that has a drip watering system and misting.
In order to produce a quality strawberry, he emphasizes the success of his integrated pest management program:
Extend the production period to retain staff.
When Pierrick decided to turn to artificial lighting, his objective was to supplement natural light to extend his production cycle.
In his initial research, he ruled out HPS lamps, due to their high energy consumption and the significant heat they generate. Pierrick sought a solution that would deliver plants ready 10 days earlier while keeping energy costs low.
“When I met Louis and Yassine, the directors of RED Horticulture, I was immediately convinced by their speech and their explanations and I invested in a 1,500m2 surface.”
Teaching the specifics of LED lighting.
When equipping his greenhouse with LED lighting for the first time, Pierrick asked RED Horticulture’s teams for the equipment installation. Pierrick chose the TAURUS 300 lighting system, installed under the ridge and managed with SOLSTICE.
“With RED I found a complementary lighting system that not only enhances the flavor of my strawberries but also boosts my yield.”
Support to provide the necessary knowledge on photobiology.
On a daily basis, Pierrick is accompanied by Raphaël Quenum, agronomist at RED Horticulture and specialist in strawberry production. The support consists of one visit per month and regular telephone calls.
Pierrick’s objective is to understand the light factor in order to be able to make the right decisions. Understanding how the plant reacts to each wavelength according to its stage of development is one of the priorities for the Finisterian producer.
During the first season under LED lighting, Pierrick let Raphaël take the reins of the lighting strategy. Becoming more comfortable during this second season with the light spectra and the plants’ light demands, Pierrick wanted the collaboration between RED Horticulture and himself to be based on exchange and education.
Precocity, yield and quality: objectives achieved.
Despite a challenging weather event, with warm nights following a snowstorm that caused the loss of several flower stalks, Pierrick managed to keep his plants productive, achieving a 25% higher yield in the illuminated area.
In terms of earliness, he noted the first harvest under LED lighting was 10 days ahead of schedule. However, for Pierrick, the most important aspect is the earlier peak in production.
+25%
Yield
+50%
Brix
+10j
Precocity
An increasing production area for the next seasons.
Later, Pierrick intends to increase his production area, in particular by taking over the family farm in the area of Le Relecq-Kerhuon.
He will also double his lit surface on the site of Loperhet. To both teams’ satisfaction, the successful collaboration between RED and Pierrick is just beginning.