Photo Report Proflora 2015
The Proflora 2015 was held in the Corferias in Bogota, Colombia last week. The 13th edition of this sold out trade show attracted a lot of international visitors. According to many exhibitors, the quality of the visitors was high which resulted in several new leads. FloralDaily was also at the show to make a full photo report. Click here for the complete photo report.
Canadian greenhouse growers fight whitefly and thrips with patterned sticky traps
Optiroll Super was developed by the Russell IPM R&D team after receiving reports that insects trapped on their original non-patterned Optiroll were found most commonly at the edge of the roll. After deducing that the insects were likely attracted to the contrasting colours of the border, the Russell IPM team began researching insect catch rate for different designs and after multiple trials the most attractive pattern was identified by Dr Clare Sampson of Keele University.
Photo Report: Ito Greenhouse
In Japan, the cyclamen is a popular end of the year gift item. "Around 50 years ago, the cyclamen came in as a present item to thank someone for the past year. This boosted the prices of the larger potted cyclamen. And they still receive a higher price now. The price of an 18 cm potted cyclamen for example, is twice as high as the average sized 15 cm potted cyclamen," explains Hidehiko Ito, owner of the Ito greenhouse, a 3,500 m2 sized greenhouse in which 9 cm, 15 cm, 18 cm and 20 cm pots are all grown.
Finalists announced for AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards 2016
Ornamental growers from China, Germany, Netherlands, Turkey, UK and USA are finalists in the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) International Grower of the Year Awards 2016. On January 28, the winner will be announced.
Experiment auction boxed rose seems successful
Since August 27, 2015, FloraHolland has been experimenting with roses being auctioned on the clock. Because more and more transactions are taking place with roses being sold in a box, FPC Roos asked for the enabling of auctioning in the box. So far, the results are far from disappointing, and pricing can generally be said to be good.
Photo report: "Royal" De Ruiter celebrates 100th anniversary
Rose breeder De Ruiter will be known as Royal De Ruiter from now on. Dutch King Willem-Alexander has appointed the company as purveyor to the court in recognition of the company's 100th anniversary. Before hundreds of guests, several generations of De Ruiters, the management, company employees and mayor of Aalsmeer Mirjam van 't Veld, a true 'United Nations of Roses' took place in the first week of November to celebrate all this.
Rose growers in full bloom thanks to Philips LED lighting
Royal Philips is helping rose growers increase yields and improve the quality of the most romantic, yet light-intensive flower in the world. Philips GreenPower toplighting LED solution brings more light for the same amount of energy, optimized light spectrum and a significant reduction in radiated heat. Philips announces that three major cut rose producers from Belgium and the Netherlands have installed GreenPower toplighting and are using Philips’ light recipes to obtain significant improvements.
Syngenta reorganizing flower departments
In November 2015, Syngenta announced its plan to reorganize its global research and development operations in flowers. This department is active in Enkhuizen and Andijk in the Netherlands, and Gilroy in the United States. Because of changes in the global flower market and shifts in consumption patterns, Syngenta is looking to focus more on strategic crops and unique technologies.
Panalpina acquires Airflo
International freight forwarding and logistics company Panalpina is to acquire a majority stake in Airflo, a company based in Kenya and the Netherlands specialized in the export handling of flowers and vegetables. Airflo is part of Dutch Flower Group (DFG). The acquisition reflects Panalpina’s continued expansion in Africa and its increasing focus on the perishables business.
Photo Report: Growers, traders and suppliers at IFTF
A 3D printer, huge flower processing lines and countless new varieties. IFTF took place in Vijfhuizen in the Netherlands from 4-6 November 2015. Over 27.000 trade visitors attended the three day expo. Together with the 253 exhibiting companies, the number of participating countries totaled this year 128. View the photo report here.
Photo Report: Record number of visitors FHTF 2015
With 15,000 visitors, the Flora Holland Trade Fair 2015 had more visitors than any previous edition. Over 750 companies introduced their innovations, new concepts and/or services, at the most beautiful and striking stand. At the trade show, originally intended to provide a platform to growers connected to FloraHolland, more and more breeders and other suppliers have signed up in recent years. Click here for the full photo report.
Jiffy to build large new substrate manufacturing plant in Holland
In November, Jiffy International announced to build a new plant in the Netherlands. The new plant will be located at the Oude Maasweg in Zwijndrecht, encompassing 25,000 m2 production area and 550 m2 office space as well as including a harbour facility.
Japan: Younger generation don't buy flowers and plants
In November, we had an interview with Nobuya Kaishita, senior director of JFMA and vice-chairman of Chrysal Japan. He told us about the buying behavior of plants and flowers of the young generation in Japan. According to him, the younger generation of the flower minded Japan does not attach much value to plants and flowers any more. It is a worldwide problem in the floriculture sector and the flower minded Japan also has to deal with it. In Japan, flowers were often used for religious purposes, but over the years, increasingly more people do not have a religion. As a consequence, the consumption of plants and flowers decreases. In particular, people under the age of 50 are buying less plants and flowers. Therefore, plants and flowers need to be promoted to these age groups. An organization that is doing this is Japan Floral Marketing Association (JFMA). Their mission is to boost the floral consumption and home-use flower market in Japan.
Ready-made premium bouquets: a much wanted, challenging niche
Ready-made premium bouquets are challenging for growers to prepare. "They are in high demand, but it has to be done properly," says Zing of Waridi Farm, a 15 ha boutique Kenyan farm that started to supply ready-made premium bouquets, three years ago.
Save energy by painting the pipes
Much is done in the modern greenhouse to save energy during the winter months. A saving that is simple to make, and one that is often forgotten, is painting the heating pipes.
Dutch flower trader sought by Russians for drug smuggling
Disney shows interest in Ontario grown Medinillas
Walt Disney World in Florida is highly interested in the Medinillas of Northend Gardens and are putting them on trials now. "It will take about a year and if they are satisfied with the quality of the plant, they will start using them to decorate the park," says Ted Oorsprong, owner of Northend Gardens. He has good hopes that his Medinillas can be seen in the park next year.