Orchids are an unforgiving crop; they will not tolerate an unfavourable climate, and require their exact needs to be met to grow and produce blooms.
"Orchid production is all about stability and consistency. They need even temperatures, humidity, and just enough light," says Jaco Meershoek, production manager at LVG Plants in Krugersdorp, Gauteng.
LVG produces 1,2 million Phalaenopsis orchids per year. They also produce other flowering pot plants, bonsais, and a variety of foliage plants, all in fully computerised and automated greenhouses spanning 110 000m². These are labour-intensive processes, and the company employs 250 people.
The farm was started in 1985 by the Van Geest family, who emigrated to South Africa from the Netherlands. Market growth for orchids has been consistently positive since the family added this species to their range 35 years ago.
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