For over 1.5 years people have been growing without the use of chemicals and ethylene-blockers and has, as was shown in stability tests conducted by FloraHolland, the least amount of bud failure. This is told to us by a proud Martijn van Geel of Van Geel Orchids from Erica in the Dutch province of Drenthe.
Berro, the grower at the company
All 44 Phalaenopsis suppliers of FloraHolland commit to certain standards. One of the requirements is that the Quality Group can pick and choose plants at random from the supplied amount to test on things like growth, transport and shelf-life. FloraHolland does this at random, both in time and location, so that the growers can't influence this process. The results are then shared amongst themselves.
“In most areas the differences don’t appear to be that big”, Van Geel tells us, ”but this is a notably positive result. The cause of this is undoubtedly a combination of different factors. Part of it is the assortment, a different part regards the cultivation – for instance how stable can you regulate the climate in case of moisture and temperature. A third factor is the stability in the maturity during the moment of delivery. Combined with the fact that we hardly use any chemicals to protect our plants, the results are very good.”
Van Geel Orchids is the still a young plant nursery (established in 2006) owned by Martijn van Geel and his brother-in-law Johan Booster. On 4 hectares mainly a 2 branch mix is being cultivated. The grower distinguishes himself, in his own words, by having a nice assortment which is flexible and has a long shelf-life which always is available on the market at a fair price. The guys also grow 5 hectares of the Baltica chrysanthemum, Van Geel is both the only chrysanthemum and Phalaenopsis grower in Drenthe.
Van Geel participates in all achievable certificates – they have MPS+, GAP and Product Proof – “but a certificate for ‘least amount of bud failure’ or ‘best shelf-life’ don’t exist”, Martijn says laughing. “Of course we are happy with the results and are glad to share them, given permission by the auction and other parties.”
For more information:
Van Geel Orchideeën
Beekweg 24
7887 TN Erica
M: (031) 06-55344491
T: (031) 0591-303518
F: (031) 0591-304262
E: martijn@vangeel.nl
www.vangeelorchideeen.nl