"The most air-purifying place in the Netherlands"

OZ Export paid a visit to perhaps the most air-purifying place in the Netherlands: grower Bestplant in Poeldijk. Bestplant produces Spathiphyllum in the larger pot sizes: 17, 19 and 24 cm from which the most plants are traded under the name Air so Pure. Patrick Zuidgeest and his business partner Laurens van Dijk, forms the management of the company.

In total, the nursery consists of 4 locations and a team of 35 employees. Bestplant in its current form started in 2010, but history goes back further. The father and grandfather of Patrick were already gardeners, after the cultivation of tomatoes they started 25 years ago with the cultivation of houseplants. Spathiphyllum has been cultivated since the first years. Over the years, the company has grown from 2.5 hectares to no less than 7.5 hectares today.

Bestplant is very experienced with the cultivation of Spathiphyllum and can therefore produce plants of a very good quality in line with the market. The grower works with fixed lines:

Lauretta in P. 19 and 24 cm
Vivaldi P. 17 cm
Sebastiano P. 24 cm
Sylvana P. 24 cm
Sensation P. 24 cm

The cultivation period is 40 to 60 weeks. From mother plants to cuttings, 20 to 30 weeks are added. Good planning is therefore important, because for every change you are sometimes 2 years delayed.

In addition to the fixed lines, Bestplant also supplies Spathiphyllum Spa, their own variety of very high quality in pot size 17 cm. The Chlorophytum Green Orange is also produced in small numbers. This is a difficult crop that is completely under control at Bestplant, because it started producing it 15 years ago.

The peak is in the winter months, and especially in January. In the quieter period, Hortensia and Begonia are grown next to Spathiphyllum.

Sustainability
Bestplant is at the forefront of sustainability. With due pride is indicated that Bestplant is in possession of no less than 6 MPS certificates. The grower is also busy getting a footprint from Benefits of Nature. Biological resources are used as much as possible.

The activity with regard to sustainability is in the blood of the nursery. Patrick's father has been very involved in the foundation of Air so Pure and is still active as a board member despite his retirement age.

Would you like to speak to this enthusiastic grower with a clear passion for plants? From 21 to 23 February they will be present at MyPlant & Garden in Milan.

source: OZ Export