Perfecta Breeding, the cooperative partnership of Lankhaar Nursery in Bleiswijk and breeding company Agriom in De Kwakel, is expanding the growing area in Brazil with new Kalanchoe selections. "Our genetics are supremely suitable for cultivation in South America’’, says Agriom's Jaap Stelder, who visited Holambra at the end of November.
Modern kalanchoe nurseries like that of Joost van Oene are based in Holambra. Photo credits: Agriom/Jaap Stelder
The Perfecta and Prime-line selections bred by Perfecta Breeding are easy to grow and require practically no growth retardants. The Perfecta selections in particular have a compact growth habit, which makes them very suitable for cultivation in smaller pot sizes. By opting for 6 cm pots, Brazilian growers are responding to consumer preferences. Sales of pot plants to local supermarket chains and wholesalers via the Holambra auction are increasing significantly year on year, confirms Stelder. "That opens up opportunities for a consumer-friendly product like Kalanchoe."
Brazil is familiar territory for Perfecta Breeding. The cooperative partnership of Lankhaar Nursery and breeding company Agriom collaborates in Brazil with Ball Horticultural do Brasil and has been doing business for many years with producers including Bloom and Rios Flores.
Jaap Stelder is aware of the growing market in Brazil and the opportunities it offers. He is noticing that Brazilian growers are looking for new products. "That's a trend we are happy to respond to. Our goal is to offer new selections that fulfil the wishes of growers even better. Specific climate conditions demand careful selection from our extensive gene pool. This requires intense cooperation, and we are happy to contribute to that process!"
For more information:
Agriom
Achterweg 58a
1424 PR De Kwakel
The Netherlands
www.agriom.nl