Telos, a leader in advanced grow lighting technology, played a crucial role in the production of The Green Planet. Presented by Sir David Attenborough, the award-winning BBC documentary covers various biomes globally from the perspective of plants. Each episode explores the extraordinary ways in which plants have learnt to survive and thrive in almost every environment.
From 2019 to 2021, the production team cultivated rare and exotic plants using Telos 0008 systems. Director of Timelapse Photography, Tim Shepherd, used these plants to produce timelapses and B-roll for each episode. Telos systems delivered high PPFD output to accelerate evenly distributed plant growth. Operating at lower temperatures in high humidity grow environments, Telos 0008 systems ensured consistent tropical conditions for delicate plants. Additionally, these lights afforded precise scheduling and intensity control, replicating natural diurnal patterns.
a timelapse captured a young Balsa plant outcompeting other vines and monsteras for light. Native to South America, the Balsa tree grows up to 30 feet per year. Comparatively, other tropical trees grow only an inch annually. The lightweight, buoyant Balsa bark is used to craft surfboards. Telos 0008’s high PPFD output accelerated the Balsa plant’s growth while eliminating hotspots and preventing photodamage.
Tim built a tropical microbiome for Amazonian Giant Water Lily. Originating in the Pantanal region, they are the world’s largest water lily species, growing up to 10 feet wide. The specimen was grown especially for Tim at Kew Botanical Gardens, London. Giant Water Lilies are sensitive to sudden environmental changes; Telos 0008 systems maintained the perfect environment with precise PPFD uniformity and spectral tuning. With Telos 0008 systems, Tim captured photosynthetic processes that would typically take over a year to film in the wild.
the UK-native climbing plant Hops latched onto other plants with its vines. Telos 0008 systems provided precise light scheduling and intensity control, replicating British summertime to support plant growth and biological processes.
a Carrion Flower was filmed unfurling its petals. Native to African desert regions, these succulents emit a foul odour, depositing its pollen onto attracted flies. Carrion Flowers take 3 to 4 years to mature. The Telos 0008 systems in the studio accelerated development, making filming more efficient.
Telos 0008 systems accelerated the growth of a Rubber Fig Tree, enabling a timelapse of its root development. Native to Southeast Asia, the plant’s milky sap is used to make natural rubber latex. Local people train and tie its strong roots to form living bridges spanning streams in tropical forests.
Since completing The Green Planet, the studio has used Telos systems for other projects. This includes an upcoming Disney+ wildlife documentary, in which Telos systems were used to grow Chinese Privet for a leaf cutter ant colony.
Telos systems are also integral for animal care at other UK locations. At Stratford Butterfly Farm, Telos lighting systems provide a precisely tuned spectrum, replicating natural sunlight to support plant growth and biological processes. Telos systems provide the perfect light spectrum for growing the exotic plants to feed the butterflies. Stratford Butterfly Farm is often used to film for both David Attenborough and other wildlife documentaries. After Telos lights were installed, the butterflies’ caretakers observed mating behaviours never-before-seen in captivity.
Designed for specialised grow spaces, Telos lights deliver science-driven yield optimisation, unrivalled PPFD uniformity, and precise spectral control. Telos continues to push the boundaries of horticultural lighting, supporting research, conservation, and media production. To learn more about how Telos technology can enhance your next project, visit our commercial page.
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