The 31 FlowerTrials locations where 62 breeding companies were showcasing their varieties, closed their doors last Friday, June 14. From all over the world, growers, traders and retailers visited the trials to see what's on display. And as the Greentech was held in the same week, that made the event for many visitors even more worthwhile to visit.
FloralDaily and our colleagues of BPnieuws were also at the FlowerTrials. We visited every location to make an extensive Photo Report. Click here for the photo report.
What was different this year? First of all, the run-up was a little chaotic. For many Europeans, Monday was a bank holiday. As a result, the real Monday fell on a Tuesday which resulted in a slower than usual start. Regarding the set-up, particularly for the Greentech, costs were higher as it fell on Whit Monday.
Regarding the novelties, we noticed two trends (but inform us when we're wrong). Firstly, there seem to have been an emphasis on the compactness of a variety. Growers want to reduce the use of PGRs for varieties that usually need it. They, therefore, are looking for improved ones. At the same time, everything needs compacter, they say, as people's gardens are becoming smaller.
A more critical note is regarding the number of novelties that are being introduced. It might be a modern expectation that we always want something new and improved, but that it's always possible is not self-evident. But of course, that cannot be the reaction of the breeder. He feels the pressure not to be satisfied with one new color, so he introduces ten, twenty or fifty novelties. The sustainable future of these varieties need to be seen.
The weather this year was not that nice - after a sunny start on Tuesday, a lot of rain fell on Wednesday and Thursday and even on Friday some drops fell. Even though, it didn't influence the positive atmosphere. All in all, the participants we spoke to were pleased with the number of visitors they welcomed at their location.