Issue 42 summer 24 web - Flipbook - Page 93
Helping Camellias Grow
Lumatek’s part in the restoration of the Wentworth Woodhouse Camellia House Project
Lumatek has always been passionate about not just
creating innovation in the world of horticulture, but about
preserving horticultural history. In early 2020 we were
approached by the Head Gardener at Wentworth
Woodhouse estate and asked to consult on a project set
up to preserve their incredible camellia collection. The
Wentworth Woodhouse estate is home to an incredible
collection of 250 year old camellias, whose home is a
beautiful Grade 2 listed greenhouse.
As with any old buildings, this beautiful greenhouse
needed restoring, and was to be renovated to turn it into
a tea room and event space for the general public.
The renovation plans included an entirely new glass roof.
The process of this would mean that the camellia plants
would be deprived of sunlight whilst the work was ongoing, as a crash decking installed at roof height was needed
to prevent debris falling onto the plants. Lighting provided
by us at Lumatek would ensure that the plants would not
suffer whilst the work was ongoing.
We chose to use the Lumatek ATS300W Pro full
spectrum horticultural light LED fixtures for this project.
These lights provided the sole-lighting source during the
works. The full spectrum acted as the closest replacement
for natural sunlight to provide the right levels of light for
healthy growth and photosynthesis.
The full renovation of the roof took a year to complete
and much to the joy of the Lumatek team the camellias
not only survived, but thrived. They produced more lush
foliage and vibrant colourful flowers, growing strong under
the lights whilst the work was completed.
Once the work on the camellia house glass roof had been
finished the ATS 300W Pro LED fixtures were moved
and re-purposed. They have now been coupled with the
Lumatek 100W Full Spectrum Supplemental Light LED
bars so that cuttings that have been taken from the original plants can be grown. This new use for the Lumatek
fixtures helps to protect the genetic lineage of these
beautiful old plants for many generations to come.
The Wentworth Woodhouse Camellia House tearoom
was successfully opened in March of 2024, restored and
renovated to it’s full glory for use by the general public
visiting the house. Lumatek were proudly represented at
the opening ceremony by Antony and Alan from our
Lumatek UK team. Working on a project such as this was
extremely rewarding for our team, as it allowed us to help
protect the history of the camellias themselves and the
beautiful house in which they thrive.
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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