June was the month of the FlowerTrials in the Netherlands and Germany, and in 2021 also the month of the California Summer Trials (CAST) in the US. This year, due to Covid, things have been a bit different. CAST continued, but in the Netherlands, the physical displays could not take place under the FlowerTrials flag this year. Nevertheless, there were still many breeders who opened their doors by appointment.
Of course much more happened this month: Benary expanded its Chinese activities, Clement Tulezi of Kenya Flower Council explained the three major challenges for Kenya's flower industry in 2021, the impact of Brexit on an exporting nursery was highlighted, Bull Breeding entered North America, hailstones destroyed greenhouses in Germany, Jan Willem Wieringa of Desch Plantpak explained how the lack of recycled plastic is causing stress in horticulture supply chain, Begonia I'CONIA Aroma Peach won FleuroStar Award 2021, and much more. See the overview below.
Karl Batschke on meeting the unexpected demand
20 million new US gardeners leads Darwin Perennials to increase supply by 30%
As a result of about 20 million new US gardeners in 2020, Darwin Perennials, which supplies growers worldwide with a comprehensive range of bareroot perennials from Colombia,…
Mike Mooney, Floral Union Farms:
US (CA): “We were unknowingly preparing for this high demand five years ago”
Unknowingly, their expansion plan made five years ago prepared Floral Union Farms, a grower and bouquet maker l
Gerard Schouwenaar, Orchard Park Growers
CAN: “It’s a ‘plantdemic’, everybody is searching for plants and hungry for more”
“While the high demand of the ‘plantdemic’ is still going strong, last year’s labor issues have luckily been resolved”, says Gerard Schouwenaar, owner of Orchard Park Growers,…
Rift Valley Roses on their recently installed floating solar power generator
Kenya: "It is already more efficient and generates more power"
“The farm is now running 60% on average on solar power generation. It is a big step into sustainable and environmentally correct flower growing and it makes us very proud”,…
NL: Rosa Plaza introduces flowers from new farm in Ethiopia
Monday June 7, 2021 Rosa Plaza will start with the sales of roses from their new production location in Ethiopia. This farm, located in Debre Zeit, will be taken over from…
Günter Kemper, Ebbing Lohaus
Germany: "Particularly the start and the end of the primula season was satisfying"
The primula season is over and despite the colder weather period, it has been a pleasing one for growers, explains Günter Kemper of German breeding company Ebbing Lohaus. “The…
Dr. Judson LeCompte, Spring Meadow Nursery
US (MI): “Production innovation is necessary to reduce demand for labor”
Innovation in both production and their plant assortment is key for Spring Meadow Nursery, a US wholesale shrub liner nursery that is based in Michigan. Dr. Judson LeCompte,…
Clement Tulezi, Kenya Flower Council explains:
The three major challenges for Kenya's flower industry in 2021
Over the last years, the Kenyan flower industry has grown rapidly. It currently is the country’s top industry after remittance, tourism and tea, and Kenya Flower Council’s…
Sunny results on the roofs of Bock
The goal of operating a PV system is well known. To generate renewable solar power and use it – as in the case of Bock Bio Science – for the production of plants. And to…
N
ew partnership announcement: Flamingo Holland and Vitroflora
Flamingo Holland is proud to announce that they have entered a partnership with Vitroflora for marketing and sales of TC3 material in North America. With over…
Gerard Werink of Floranova on their cooperation with Syngenta
“It is remarkable to see how well both companies seem to be a perfect match”
In 2018, Syngenta acquired Floranova to enhance its flower business in fast-growing Asian markets. Three years later, Gerard Werink, Commercial Director of Floranova, tells…
Iris Hassinger
Hassinger Orchideen moves to new location in the center of German horticulture industry
Hassinger Orchideen, a German grower of in vitro cups, young plants, semi-finished and finished orchids, recently moved to a new location. "Not only the improved demand has…
Strategic partnership between Floricultura and Spark Genetics
Floricultura explained the details behind its strategic partnership with Spark Genetics on Wednesday 9 June. 2021 marks the fifth anniversary of an exclusive partnership in…
Announcing the passing of A.M.A. founder Allen Monsma
It is with great sadness that A.M.A. Horticulture Inc. announces the passing of company founder, Allen (Eelke) Monsma, at age 87. Allen died suddenly yet peacefully on June…
Benary expands its Chinese activities
In a new joint venture with Ican Horticulture Co., Ltd, German company Ernst Benary GmbH, is expanding its Chinese activities. The name of the new company is Tangchao…
Beam Sailern, AmeriSeed:
"Surge in demand for Marigolds for The Day of The Dead and Halloween"
Marigolds are one of the most easily recognizable symbols of “Dia de los Muertos” - “The Day of The Dead”, but are also fast becoming a symbol of Halloween, explains Beam…
Bill Steen, Fleurizon:
"Hoya is finding its place among the field of popular houseplants"
"It seems like yesterday that Hoya were a secondary product in the houseplant market. Today, consumers can’t get enough and the demand isn’t slowing down", says Bill Steen of…
Open days at several locations in the Netherlands
Photo Report: Breeders opening their doors
Despite the fact that the physical displays cannot yet take place under the FlowerTrials flag this year, there were still many breeders who opened their doors by appointment…
Rebecca Barrett on British Flowers Week 2021
“We cannot keep up with this year’s social media engagement”
“There have been a lot of people involved this year, with a lot of social media engagement and media coverage.” According to Rebecca Barrett, Head of Strategy Partnerships and…
Neil Alcock, Seiont Nurseries:
UK: “We can’t ship certain plants to Europe because of Brexit”
“Our export to the EU has gone down from 18% to 2%,” says Neil Alcock, Managing Director of Seiont Nurseries in Wales. “Now that the UK is considered a ‘third country’, we…
Selecta’s Drums Verbena now includes Drums Red White
“We are extending our Verbena range that far exceeded our expectations”
“Even in its first year, Selecta One’s Drums Verbena range has been a big hit with growers and demand has far outstripped our expectations,” says Thomas Meise, Head of Product…
PGR's, plant diseases, biodegradable pots and more
Hot topics discussed at PanAmerican Seed FlowerTalk
On June 15 and June 16, PanAmerican Seed Organized FlowerTalk where they shared information for young plant growers and finished growers in two separate webinars in which not…
Adam Muhr, APH:
Sweden: “It is a challenge to get chrysanthemums for Midsummer celebrations”
“It has been a struggle to get a hold of certain imported flowers for this year’s Midsummer celebration, which will be widely celebrated in Sweden on the weekend of June 25,”…
June 23-27:
California Summer Trials 2021 in full swing
The California Summer Trials (CAST) are in full swing. They took off yesterday, on June 23, and will last till June 27, where several breeders are showcasing their varieties…
Bull Breeding goes West, entering North America
German grower makes headway with own-bred summer and fall varieties
“Breed from a grower point of view”, that is Hartwig Bull’s general slogan in breeding. This German grower initially started breeding for his own use, but soon realized that…
Germany: Royal Estelle Plant 'n' Relax wins the Golden Rose in Baden-Baden 2021
On June 23, 2021, a floribunda rose was awarded the internationally honorary prize "Golden Rose of Baden-Baden". She bears the name Royal Estelle Plant 'n' Relax and comes from…
Jason Kendall on the impact of COVID-19 on Kendall Farms
US (CA): “Pleased to be back at 100% labor, but we could use another 20%”
They had to cut their labor by 60% when the COVID-19 crisis started in early 2020, but Kendall Farms, a California flower farm, is now back to 100% labor. Still, with this…
Gartenbau Versicherung
Hail destroys German greenhouses
Hailstones, some as big as tennis balls, hit Germany last week. These caused significant damage. Like at a grower in the Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg. Most of one of his…
Jan Willem Wieringa, Desch Plantpak
NL: “Lack of recycled plastic causes stress in horticulture supply chain”
“We are asking for more understanding for our industry as there are currently severe limitations concerning the availability of raw materials,” says Jan Willem Wieringa, CEO…
Begonia I'CONIA Aroma Peach wins FleuroStar Award 2021
Fleuroselect announces that the FleuroStar Award 2021/22 goes to Begonia I'CONIA Aroma Peach from Dümmen Orange. Alexander van der Kaaij, Senior Product Manager Bed & Balcony,…
