Ever since he first heard about the Plant Empowerment philosophy in 2016, Jesper Søllingvraa Jensen has been leveraging its benefits in terms of yield, plant quality, greenhouse efficiency and sustainability. Now as an advisor for Grotek Consulting ApS, he is spreading the word among his customers throughout Scandinavia and beyond. Here, he explains how he uses the Plant Empowerment knowledge platform as a source of inspiration and explanation for growers, and as a tool for networking and continuous learning for himself.
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Grotek Consulting ApS
25 years of greenhouse experience
Jesper Søllingvraa Jensen first started implementing the Plant Empowerment philosophy around 2016. “At that time, I was head grower at an organic greenhouse in Denmark. My crop consultant, Jørgen Arndt from Grotek Consulting, suggested using screening not just in winter but also in summer to prevent heat loss at the top of our plants. This innovative and successful approach of putting the plant first sparked my interest to learn more,” he says.
Jesper subsequently joined Jørgen’s company as a consultant in 2021, and recently became co-owner. Grotek Consulting is specialized in providing independent, non-affiliated advice to both conventional and organic greenhouse growers, especially of tomatoes and cucumbers. “I enjoy putting my 25 years of commercial crop cultivation knowledge and hands-on experience to good use by advising growers throughout Scandinavia, as well as in Germany and several Baltic countries,” he comments.
Inspiration and explanation
In his role as an advisor, he makes extensive use of the webinars on the Plant Empowerment knowledge platform for both inspiration and explanation.
“Just like when you’re teaching someone how to ride a bike, it can sometimes be hard to explain things that seem straightforward to you. With their clear descriptions and excellent illustrations, the webinars help my customers understand concepts such as the radiation-to-temperature ratio (RTR) and screening strategies. Sometimes, we even watch the webinars together as the basis for discussion.”
Professional network
Jesper has a full membership, which gives him access to all the webinars – either live, or on demand in the archive. “That’s really useful given my hectic travel schedule,” he says.
Additionally, he finds that membership of the knowledge platform helps him expand his professional network. “The speakers in the webinars are all experts in their field. It’s good to know I can reach out to them if I have questions about a specific topic, or when I’m attending an event such as GreenTech,” he explains.
The need for accurate data
Jesper has been a firm believer in a data-driven approach for many decades. However, convincing other growers of the need for crop registration is not always easy, he says.
“The Plant Empowerment webinars underline the importance of accurate data. I don’t really mind which system a grower chooses for measuring, recording and analysing crop data – from Excel to the LetsGrow.com platform. What matters is that they collect and use data as the basis for continuous improvement.”
So how does the consultant help his customers implement the Plant Empowerment principles in practice? “The dream scenario for a consultant like me is to advise on a brand-new greenhouse project, which I’m lucky enough to be doing right now in Germany. Then you can include all the best practices at the design stage,” he explains.
Low cost and rapid payback
However, he acknowledges that most growers have limited investment budgets. “So we find ways of making improvements without rebuilding the greenhouse,” he states.
This often leads to him recommending low-cost solutions with rapid payback, such as installing an extra measurement box above the screens or adding a pyrgeometer to measure outgoing radiation. “When integrated with climate calculations, these quick and simple additions can transform a grower’s screening and gapping strategy. This can significantly improve crop performance here in Scandinavia, where screening is beneficial for many months of the year,” continues Jesper.
Getting the basics right
Implementing the Plant Empowerment philosophy doesn’t always mean adding new technology, he points out:
“In a holistic approach, it’s crucial to get the basics right before fine-tuning the details. There’s no point adjusting climate strategies or buying a plant sap-flow unit if the irrigation system is uneven, for example.”
That’s why Grotek Consulting helps growers to assess the whole picture and set priorities. “Is the fertilizer mixer in good shape and properly calibrated? And are strict hygiene and cleaning procedures being followed?” he says.
Sharing real-world experiences
According to Jesper, growers today are much more aware of the Plant Empowerment philosophy than a decade ago. “Many of them have heard about it before I even mention it, and over half our customers are members of the knowledge platform, while others follow the Plant Empowerment community on social media,” he states.
“Vegetable production is a competitive sector, but knowledge sharing is essential. A big part of my role as a consultant is enabling customers to learn from my insights into what has or hasn’t worked in practice elsewhere. The knowledge platform complements that by showcasing real-world experiences from growers and Plant Empowerment partners,” the advisor continues.
Keeping up with future advancements
Jesper expects that the knowledge platform will remain a valuable resource for him. “There’s always plenty more to learn. Things are advancing very quickly in terms of sensors, AI and autonomous growing, for instance, and the platform helps me navigate that changing landscape,” he says.
Another fast-evolving area is crop protection, with conventional growers’ spraying options becoming increasingly limited in the EU due to tightening legislation. “Organic growers are at the forefront of a chemical-free approach, as they have been using alternatives such as biostimulants for many years. We look forward to sharing our knowledge and experience in biological control for the benefit of conventional growers too. This aligns perfectly with the Plant Empowerment approach of maintaining the three balances as the basis for plant health and resilience,” Jesper concludes.