Huge interest
"When we finally decided to build a greenhouse on this spot, we were almost immediately contacted by six greenhouse manufacturers," says Steef. "Everyone wanted to build in the Netherlands again. In many cases their last projects were finalized around ten years ago and it is always nice to have a more recent project in the Netherlands. So, we were in a position of luxury and we chose Kubo."
Steef gives presentation about Arcadia Chrysanten.
The New Cultivation (Nieuw Telen)
The new greenhouse is equipped with all the techniques that are required when implementing the New Cultivation. A major advantage is the fact that the humid air does not has to be discharged anymore, which saves a lot of energy. With pipes, that are located in the roof of the greenhouse, dry air is being blown into the greenhouse. This air removes the humid air within the crop. In this way, windows do not have to be opened that often, the heating can be lowered and a low level of humidity can be maintained. "All in all, energy will be saved. Up to 35 percent," says Steef.
Also new in this greenhouse is the use of double screens, which is still quite uncommon in chrysanthemum cultivation. With these screens, the level of humidity also decreases. Furthermore, they have chosen to use diffuse glass with a 2xAR coating and a haze of 55 perent. Besides that, the lamps are a bit stronger than on the other locations (1100 lux) and this design of the greenhouse also enables easier and more careful cleaning and steaming.
Last but not least, Arcadia also acquired a Furora. This processing line of Bercomex, a machine that is commonly used for tulips, now also finds its way to different cut flowers. With the use of the Furora, Arcadia saves on labor, reduces the amount of proceedings and is able to form uniform bunches. The leaves of every flower are being removed, they are being photographed and are being criticized on different aspects. Then, they are being cut and bunched, together with other flowers that meet the same requirements. In the end, the bunches are being sleeved. This is all faster and much more precise than manual work. "There are still some points that can be improved - like the amount of loss of flowers can be reduced - but in general we are very satisfied."
20 ha
Currenlty, Arcadia grows chrysanthemums on five different locations in the Netherlands, on 20 ha in total. Spray chrysanthemums Zembla Sunny are being cultivated on 4ha and on the remaining acreage disbudded chrysanthemums are being cultivated. In total, they produce 20 varieties of chrysanthemum. According to Steef, the segment of spray chrysanthemums decreased over the last years. However, the Zembla Sunny is still being cultivated as it is still in good demand. Arcadia sells 50 million branches a year in both Eastern and Western Europe.
AIPH International Grower of the Year Award finalist
Arcadia Chrysanten is one of the two finalists in the cut flowers category of the AIPH International Grower of the Year awards, together with Turkish Flash Tarim, who produce and export more than 1.5 million stems per week to more than 20 countries.
Other finalists include: Florensis, Germany/Netherlands, Kunming Hongzhihua Gardening, China, Shanghai Yuanyi Seedling, China for the Young Plants category, and Dutchmaster Nurseries, Canada, Dashun International Flower, China, Majestic Trees, UK and Costa Farms, USA for the Finished Plants and Trees category.
The Awards event commences on January 28 at 6pm with a drinks reception followed by a four course dinner and ceremony. After the ceremonies and awards there will be an evening of celebration.
For more information
Arcadia Chrysanten
Steef van Ruijven
T: +31 (0)6 46 08 63 31
E: [email protected]
www.arcadiachrysanten.nl
Steef gives presentation about Arcadia Chrysanten.
The New Cultivation (Nieuw Telen)
The new greenhouse is equipped with all the techniques that are required when implementing the New Cultivation. A major advantage is the fact that the humid air does not has to be discharged anymore, which saves a lot of energy. With pipes, that are located in the roof of the greenhouse, dry air is being blown into the greenhouse. This air removes the humid air within the crop. In this way, windows do not have to be opened that often, the heating can be lowered and a low level of humidity can be maintained. "All in all, energy will be saved. Up to 35 percent," says Steef.
Also new in this greenhouse is the use of double screens, which is still quite uncommon in chrysanthemum cultivation. With these screens, the level of humidity also decreases. Furthermore, they have chosen to use diffuse glass with a 2xAR coating and a haze of 55 perent. Besides that, the lamps are a bit stronger than on the other locations (1100 lux) and this design of the greenhouse also enables easier and more careful cleaning and steaming.
Last but not least, Arcadia also acquired a Furora. This processing line of Bercomex, a machine that is commonly used for tulips, now also finds its way to different cut flowers. With the use of the Furora, Arcadia saves on labor, reduces the amount of proceedings and is able to form uniform bunches. The leaves of every flower are being removed, they are being photographed and are being criticized on different aspects. Then, they are being cut and bunched, together with other flowers that meet the same requirements. In the end, the bunches are being sleeved. This is all faster and much more precise than manual work. "There are still some points that can be improved - like the amount of loss of flowers can be reduced - but in general we are very satisfied."
20 ha
Currenlty, Arcadia grows chrysanthemums on five different locations in the Netherlands, on 20 ha in total. Spray chrysanthemums Zembla Sunny are being cultivated on 4ha and on the remaining acreage disbudded chrysanthemums are being cultivated. In total, they produce 20 varieties of chrysanthemum. According to Steef, the segment of spray chrysanthemums decreased over the last years. However, the Zembla Sunny is still being cultivated as it is still in good demand. Arcadia sells 50 million branches a year in both Eastern and Western Europe.
AIPH International Grower of the Year Award finalist
Arcadia Chrysanten is one of the two finalists in the cut flowers category of the AIPH International Grower of the Year awards, together with Turkish Flash Tarim, who produce and export more than 1.5 million stems per week to more than 20 countries.
Other finalists include: Florensis, Germany/Netherlands, Kunming Hongzhihua Gardening, China, Shanghai Yuanyi Seedling, China for the Young Plants category, and Dutchmaster Nurseries, Canada, Dashun International Flower, China, Majestic Trees, UK and Costa Farms, USA for the Finished Plants and Trees category.
The Awards event commences on January 28 at 6pm with a drinks reception followed by a four course dinner and ceremony. After the ceremonies and awards there will be an evening of celebration.
For more informationArcadia Chrysanten
Steef van Ruijven
T: +31 (0)6 46 08 63 31
E: [email protected]
www.arcadiachrysanten.nl
