A vegetable grower expanding into tulip cultivation - it may sound like an unusual combination, but for GH Botanica it makes perfect sense. The greenhouse complex 'Botanica' plans to produce cut flower tulips in the new propagation facility, which will be opened in 2020.
The South Russian company from Volgograd (legal name LLC Ovoshevod) grows cucumbers on 36 ha and tomatoes on 27 hectares, which will be increased by 2021 to 54 ha. Specifically for tomatoes Botanica plans to build a tomato propagation facility of 4 hectares. Tomato young plants only have to be produced once a season, however, leaving 4 hectares of the propagation greenhouse empty. That's where the tulips come in.
High-tech tulip cultivation
Since tulip production only takes two months in total, it's a logical choice. The tulips will be grown for the Russian market, with a focus on Women's Day (March 8).
The new propagation unit is a professional growing area on heated concrete, with 10,000 Lux light, a mobile grow pipe and a top heating monorail system.
The propagation will be supplied with a fog system of 850 cm3/m2/h and 2 screens: an energy saving and shading one.
The supplier of all technological equipment for propagation is Dutch company Van der Hoeven. Water is supplied after filtration thanks to a reverse osmosis system. The tulips will be grown in plastic trays, filled with substrate.
Partnership
For the tulip project, Botanica is looking for a Dutch partner with broad experience in tulip cultivation and export.
“The above options will ensure a stable climate, which, combined with the supervision of an experienced grower, will result in the highest quality plants", Angelica Zarutskaya, assistant of the company's CEO, said. "We invite the concerned parties for cooperation."
For more information:
Botanica
Angelica Zarutskaya
+79616856297
botanika-only.ru
angelica.zarutskaya@yandex.ru