The specialists of the “New Holland” complex in the Leningrad region know exactly what the best present for International Women's Day is, as they have been growing flowers for more than 10 years. Even though the Leningrad region cannot boast the perfect climatic conditions for that kind of business due to low temperatures, winds and high humidity, the growers have their own secrets to success.
Holland nearby
“Our nursery has all the contemporary equipment”, says the agronomist, Mr. Ruslan Novikov. Before starting his position with the “New Holland” complex, he was educated in the Netherlands. Mr. Novikov has been working with the company since its opening and knows every single nook and cranny of it. “Here we have four greenhouses with an acreage of three hectares each. 20 thousand lamps are responsible for the lighting. Our bushes grow in special sacks with rockwool and not in the ground. Each rose bush is fed with a special nutritious substance. There are heating pipes along the bushes. We cut the flowers twice a day. Annually, we harvest 27 million pieces of roses."
Ruslan personally sets the temperature and humidity levels, which are maintained by an automated system. The greenhouse complex is equipped with its own meteorological station that regulates ventilation. They have even invented a remedy for the white nights here: the ceiling is covered with a special tent. In winter, the roof is warmed up in order to melt the snow.
No chemicals
“We do not use chemical substances for crop protection. Beneficial insects dwell among the flowerbeds. They destroy the harmful insects without harming the plants”, adds Ruslan.
All the equipment was imported from the Netherlands, as well as the rose cuttings.
They grow 28 varieties of roses here - no other greenhouse complex in the Russian Federation can boast such a variety. There are roses of various colors represented, but the most popular ones are the red ones.
“I would say that red roses will remain in highest demand for at least another 50 years”, noted the chairman of the board of directors of JS New Holland, Mr. Aleksey Arkhipov. “The flower fashion does change though. Customers used to prefer gigantic roses, and now short ones are in bigger demand. Also, peony roses have become very popular”.
Source: m.spb.kp.ru