Last Thursday, on January 16, Dutch poinsettia growers and international breeders gathered for the traditional comparison trial of Royal FloraHolland.
The awarded Dutch poinsettia growers
The winner is Bram Breugem (third on the left) with Allegra Red, a variety of Italian breeder Lazzeri. Also, with this variety, was the winner in the category "12-13 cm red". In the same pot size range, but in the category "colors", Freek v/d Velden was awarded with the Superba New Glitter, another variety of Italian breeder Lazzeri. Then, there were two more awards for "colors" and "red". For pot size up to 12 cm, in the category "color", SV.CO was awarded with Alaska and Van Wensen Potplanten with Ferrara resp., a variety of Dümmen Orange. In the pot category over 13 cm Kwekerij de Stadswide was awarded with Alaska and Tim van Leeuwen with Christmas Feeling, a variety of Selecta one.
Finally, also the best novelty - the "breeders awards" went to Beekenkamp, with (still a code) Pon 128.
The comparison trial
The guests gathered in the flowering area of the auction in Naaldwijk.
In this area, also the plants of several cutting suppliers that have been grown by Kwekerij de Bonfut and Sonneveld plant were on display. Also an annual tradition; trialing the starting material.
Astrid van der Helm of Glastuinbouw Nederland, who organized the event for several years. Now, she handed out the awards.
On the opposite end of the auction of Naaldwijk, one can find World Horti Center. In this building, a seminar was organized by Jeroen Sanders of Proeftuin Zwaagdijk. He discussed a trial conducted with several crop protection products against Silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), and showed several solutions and suppliers. The most important lesson: if sprayed correctly, most products and strategies can be employed efficiently.
Jeroen Sanders, Proeftuin Zwaagdijk.
The Dutch poinsettia growers.
Innovation
Every crop knows its own seasons and challenges. Poinsettias are for Christmas and it will probably remain a plant for this occasion and that seems to be OK for the growers. However, they are looking for innovation and that is not that easy. There are colors, mostly red and white, but the consumer often chooses for red. Even though the smaller pot size of 10.5 cm is increasing in the demand, over the last years, the Dutch consumer, compared to, for example, the US consumer, is not likely to choose for a large pot size.
Last but not least, the Mouse of Selecta one is a novelty, which was awarded the same evening with the Glass Tulip Award.