Upper left: Dutch Royal Couple, Upper right: Inventory with blooming plants. Bottom left: Transport vehicles CosMic Plants and bottom right: Mike and Neil van Steekelenburg, owners of CosMic Plants.
It is a busy period for the owners of Cosmic Plants. "Next to the fact that the company should look spotless, quite a preparation is needed for this important day" says Van Steekelenburg. The security services, for example, have been around almost weekly for the last 4 weeks to check the facility and the area and the Embassy personel has visited Cosmic Plants several times to go over the tight planning. "Everything is planned out to the minute. Moreover, there are instructions for our staff and everyone else who will be present that day. Besides that, there is a lot of media attention. The Royal Dutch Embassy in Ottawa though, is really helpful with it all."
The goal of the visit of the Dutch Royal couple is to thank the Canadians for their pivotal role in the liberation of the Netherlands 70 years ago and to strengthen the trade relations between the Netherlands and Canada. The theme of the visit is: 'Two countries one spirit'. "This also counts for the horticulture industry" says Van Steekelenburg. In this industry, the Dutch and Canadians work closely together. "Many techniques used in Canadian greenhouses come from the Netherlands and many growers have business partners in the Netherlands."
On May 28, after visiting a Canadian University, the Royal Couple will pay a visit to Cosmic Plants in the afternoon. They will receive a 20 min tour from the owners, Mike and Neil. During this tour, all growing processes of the orchid will be presented. "We will show how we start the growing process from the tissue culture plants, to the planting at the potting machine/robot and afterwards, the part of the greenhouse where the orchids are grown to finished blooming plants." That is where - after the tour - Mike and Neil will host a high tea, right at the inventory system full of colour. During this high tea, local entrepreneurs from Dutch heritage have the possibility to share their horticulture experiences in Canada with the Royal Couple and with the participants in the trade mission.
For more information
CosMic Plants Inc.
4228 Maple Grove Road
Beamsville, Ontario L0R 1B1
Canada
T: +1 905 562 9389
F: +1 905 562 9390
Email: info@cosmicplants.com
www.cosmicplants.com
