Dutch nursery Bolk Plants has recently started operating from a brand-new, 35,000-metre greenhouse in Haaften. The grower has almost quadrupled in size and production. Because the cultivation facilities are optimal for growing the wide range of potted plants and to inform the customers about this, those who wish to see it are welcome to come and take a look this week.
Ton de Bresser (left) and Martin Bolk
This week is also the week of the "FlowerTrials". Officially, the Trials will not take place, but unofficially, breeders and suppliers will nevertheless seize the opportunity to present their novelties. Selecta One is one of them, but for the occasion they were looking for a nice new location. And because one plus one makes two, grower/customer Martin Bolk and Ton de Bresser of Selecta One joined forces.
The greenhouse is about 300 metres deep. Even with the screen almost closed, it is easy to see how evenly the light is distributed.
The greenhouse itself is finished, although work is still going on all around it. It was not until October last year that the final decision was taken - it was preceded by an extensive headache file on PFAS and nitrogen and other complications - and construction could finally begin. This was then done at breakneck speed: already in the first months of this year (January-March) the pouring of concrete took place, while Martin followed the concrete merchant to place his plants on the barely hardened ebb-and-flow floor. He has already practically done a complete round, and the same goes for the hanging plants.
The greenhouse can be filled from front to back: tubes and drip hoses everywhere, with room for a total of 40,000 plants ("and they were all hanging there this spring"). At the same time, investments have been made in diffuse glass, so that the light is spread out evenly and the plants on the floor are hardly hindered by shade.
Plants from the Verbena Drums series
"The trade knows us for our wide range and good quality," says Martin. "As far as that range is concerned, we will be slimming down a little, but as far as quality is concerned, thanks to this new cultivation facility, we can even improve a little. That is what I want to show my customers, both local and retail. We are ready just in time, so this is a perfect time to open the doors."
One of the new numbers in the Sky series, the Mystery Sky
For its part, Selecta One is obviously pleased with the timing. The traditional trials at P. Van Geest in Maasland were cancelled and other companies, with whom they normally present together, went their own way. As did Selecta, who likes to present its customers several new series and novelties. The show is stolen with, among others, a new series of Verbena Drums, a series of compact plants which can be grown completely without inhibitor; the new dianthus I❤U, some new features in the Sky series, several novelties in petunias, and a new double white osteo, the "3D Nanuk".
3D Nanuk
I❤U
Last but not least, the grower and breeder brought along a group of companies that were eager to give a presentation. A number of builders and suppliers are present, a few fellow breeders (namely Prudac) have also set up a table and banner. Last weekend the place was swept clean, everyone who wants to come is welcome - just call, and respect the currently relevant COVID rules.
For more information:
Bolk Plants 
Enggraaf 36
4175 ER Haaften
www.bolkplants.nl
Selecta Holland
+31 (0)6 2013 4787
t.debresser@selecta-one.com
www.selecta-one.com