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Ursula Key-Davis, Fibrex Nursery:

UK: Pelargonium growers preparing for next season

The pelargonium season has come to an end and growers are starting to prepare for the next season. As are Fibrex Nurseries. After a profitable year, this Warwickshire pelargonium grower is sending out their final plants and is emptying the greenhouses. "We are clearing the ground up and every plant needs to be processed, which will take us up till Christmas", says Ursula Key-Davis owner of this nursery.


Wrapping up the greenhouse.

Good season
According to Ursula, it has been a excellent season. "The plants were good, even though they were a bit slow to flower due to a cold spring. And the sales were higher than last year. We are in a quite rural area and many hobby growers from all over the country visited our nursery to find pelargonium that they cannot find in the retail shops." For several years now, Fibrex nurseries has held the National Collection, which means that they are growing the largest collection of pelargoniums in the UK; over 2,000 different species and cultivars.



Always a guess
At the moment, Ursula is busy taking cuttings from the pelargoniums, which is an intensive and time consuming job. "I started the end of June and it will take up to Christmas." On a daily basis, Ursula strips and plants around 1000 cuttings. And it is not only just taking the cuttings, Ursula also needs to decide which varieties to increase for next season. "We look at trends, but it remains a guess what people will buy. Last season, for example the scented leaves and species pelargoniums were in high demand", says Ursula. So this year, in addition to their usual 'best-sellers', Ursula will plant more of these varieties. And as she expects the pastel colored pelargonium to increase in demand, she will also plant more of these."




Cleaning greenhouse
At the same time when Ursula is taking the cuttings, the greenhouses are being cleaned. "We grow under 0.5 acres of glass and when cleaning, all plants need to be moved out and be stored elsewhere. Then, we pressure wash the greenhouses. It entails a lot of work, but it is something we do every year, so we are used to it.''



Next season
According to Ursula, next season looks promising. "We've already received orders from our customers and we noticed an increase in orders. So, let's see what the coming season will bring."





For more information
Fibrex Nurseries LTD
Ursula Key-Davis
Tel: (01789) 720788
Fax: (01789) 721162
e-mail: [email protected]
Honeybourne Road,
Pebworth,
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 8XP
England
www.fibrex.co.uk

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