Dutch nursery Valstar Plantenkwekerij has added a distinctive new product to its range: Rosita, a tulip-flowered primrose. According to Jack Poot and Mandy Zwinkels, the variety offers clear added value within the company's broad assortment of bedding and potted plants.
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At Valstar, the main season for begonias and pot chrysanthemums runs from February to November. During the winter months, from November to January, the heated greenhouse is used for pepper plants. "That is where the business originally started," Jack explains. "But that season is now really coming to an end, and our focus has fully shifted back to ornamental crops."
Rosita is produced in one of the cold greenhouses and is grown entirely under cold cultivation conditions. "It is an early spring plant and a real niche product within the outdoor plant segment," says Jack. "At the same time, it offers a lot of added value."
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What sets Rosita apart is its abundant flowering. Each plant carries a large number of flowers, with many buds still developing beneath the open blooms. "You can clearly see that it continues to flower for a long time," adds Mandy Zwinkels, who joined Valstar and is responsible for marketing and sales. "That makes it an attractive product for both consumers and the trade."
The range consists of six different colours. As Rosita is grown from seed, individual plants are not identical in colour. According to Jack, this adds to its appeal, while the wide colour palette makes the product suitable for various applications. "It is not a mass product, but that is exactly what makes it interesting. It offers something different from standard lines, and demand for that is clearly increasing."
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
The season has not been without challenges. In particular, pot roses proved difficult in the period leading up to Valentine's Day. "That remains a sensitive product," Jack acknowledges. "But that is part of doing business in this sector. You are dealing with seasons, weather influences and a market that sometimes slows down. Overall, trading conditions have been fairly subdued."
Despite this, he remains optimistic. "Once the weather improves and the season really gets going, I expect demand to pick up. With Rosita, we also have something extra to help surprise the market."
For more information:
Jack Poot and Mandy Zwinkels
Valstar Plantenkwekerij
Tel: +31 174 212021
[email protected]
www.valstarplant.nl
