Photo : ©Floréac | © www.thejoyofplants.co.uk | Unsplash | Pixabay | Pexel | Floradania
#21 3-2022
magazine
© www.thejoyofplants.co.uk
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Uncorking autumn ‘POP!’ Nothing sounds more celebratory than uncorking a champagne bottle, and we’ve had the privilege of hearing that pop a couple of times in recent months. Firstly, Floréac was once again awarded the prestigious Trophée d’Or 2022 from JardinPlus – the third year in a row! Secondly, we have become a member of FSI 2025, which is a turning point in our history. By 2025, 90% of all purchases must be sustainably grown and traded. This is not the easiest target to hit, but one that is necessary for the entire sector. You can read how we are approaching this on p. 18. The Trophée d’Or and FSI are closely linked. We won the former thanks to our efforts in various areas, including sustainability – and naturally also thanks to our customers and suppliers. In this magazine, we once again put another two in the spotlight. Nursery De Waele – Wilwoodii has the most years on the clock, but they are certainly not resting on their laurels. On p. 8, you can read all about their innovative approach. The Dutch nursery ICHTUS is a little younger but stands out because of its business operations: two crops under one roof. It grows cut flowers and green pot plants. Read all about the advantages and disadvantages of double cultivation on p. 24. Themes are a permanent fixture in this magazine. So what stands out for me this autumn? That the understated combines perfectly with frivolous... just as it does in life. POP! Here’s to a wonderful autumn!
Enjoy reading! Benoit Strauven CEO
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EARTHY SHADES
Brown, cognac, ochre, orange, terracotta… you can never go wrong with earthy tones. These are colours that ease the soul and radiate trust and tranquillity. They also go well with all kinds of plants: from intensely green succulents and Sanseverias to orchids in frivolous colours. So why not bring a piece of pure nature to your point of sale? Get inspired by our eclectic range. Robust terracotta next to a Scandinavian-inspired pot in a soft hue? Nice, right?
Discover the Floréac selection in our webshop
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CACTMX-SP271A
CACTMX-SP317A
CAMBMX-SP17TA2A
COUPE-§SP052A COUPE-§SP053A
COUPE-§DECO012A
ORCHMX-SP12TA2A COUPE-§SP086A COUPE-§SP087A COUPE-§SP116A
PHALOR-SP03TA4A
PHKOWI-SP75TA2A
PHALWI-SP04TA3A
SUCCMX-§SP38A
SUCCMX-SP532A
PHALWI-SP02TA8A VANDMX-SP11A 5 All products for this theme are of course available in our webshop: www.floreac.shop
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AN AUTUMN BUFFET FOR THE GARDEN
From fire-red Skimmia to violet Callicarpa, and from warm red rose hips to bright orange pyracantha... Not only will you make the birds in your garden happy with this berry buffet, these treats for the eye will please everyone. You can certainly admire them, but just don’t eat them! Then again, why would you? These shrubs, bushes and trees bring colour to the garden until winter.
Discover the Floréac selection in our webshop
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GAULTH-10A
CABOPR-19A
GAPRBIBE-12A
CABOSNST-19A
HYMIMX-17A
HYMIMX-23A
PEMUMXT2-14A
PEMUMXT2-11A PEMUMXT2-17A PEMUWI-17A
PEMURD-17A PEMURZ-17A
SKJARE-15A SKJAVE-23B12+A
SKJAMX-29A
SKJAMA-15B12+A
7 All products for this theme are of course available in our webshop : www.floreac.shop
SUPPLIER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
“Every day, we feel the urge to do something new.” Lode De Waele is not resting on his laurels. He represents the fourth generation of growers in his family. What began modestly in 1927 as a classic azalea nursery has today grown into a modern floriculture company with a sales market that extends deep into Europe. And they still have plenty of growth ahead of them.
Lode De Waele
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SUPPLIER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Nursery De Waele – Wilwoodii sees opportunities in sustainability Almost a century of craftsmanship Today, Lode manages a nursery whose history spans almost a century. He looks back on a few pivotal moments. “2011 was an important year. That’s when we took over the Wilwoodii nursery from Willy Devriendt in Lochristi. Willy mainly specialised in Ellwoodii and Goldcrest Wilma. In 2012, we further expanded our Lochristi branch with a new warehouse, a 2.5-hectare greenhouse and 2 hectares of container fields. A 1-hectare greenhouse was added in 2017, followed by a 3.5-hectare greenhouse last summer. In total, including the location in Wachtebeke, De Waele – Wilwoodii covers around 18 hectares, comprising 9 hectares of greenhouses and 9 hectares of container fields.”
something which really makes them stand out. “Thanks to the large numbers we grow, we can deliver high-quality products all year round. This makes us ideal for the retail sector. If a large retailer has 100 different stores, we can supply 100 mixed trolleys with a varied range in different pot sizes. And that ready-to-go range on the trolley is transported directly to the retail outlet. It’s our way of making life easier for our customers, as for retailers this means a significant reduction in labour and transport costs.”
“We want to make things easier for our customers with ready-to-go mixed trolleys, as this will significantly reduce their labour and transport costs.” Lode De Waele Wide range in different pot sizes The range has also grown along with the company. “We grow Pieris, Azalea Japonica, Ellwoodii, Cupressus Goldcrest, Rhododendron, Camelia and Choisya in various pot sizes. These are the basic crops. We also experiment with test crops. There’s always an urge to try something new, but I have to be careful not to overdo it and to keep working efficiently [laughs].” Making life easier for customers With this wide range, the nursery tries to satisfy customer demand as closely as possible. This is
Sleek trolleys Putting together these kinds of trolleys is quite labour-intensive. But fortunately, technology is providing a helping hand. “Where possible, we are automating to make it easier to offer uniform batches. Automation doesn’t mean that we no longer need people, but that we are greatly reducing time-consuming routine jobs. And the fact that we can now process uniform batches efficiently can only be an asset. Or in the words of our colleagues from the Netherlands: ‘Nothing beats a sleek trolley.’” 9
SUPPLIER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Looking forward to a brighter future with Floréac Lode can still see many opportunities in the range of mixed trolleys and regards Floréac as the ideal sparring partner. “We’ve been working together for years and it’s partly thanks to them that we know what the market trends are and can tailor our range accordingly. Sometimes the demand is very high, which is a reason for us to step up our game. We know how much we mean to each other and I’m looking forward to an even brighter future for both of us.”
Sustainability from plant to customer Nursery De Waele – Wilwoodii is clearly keeping up with the times. You also notice this when we get to the subject of sustainability. “For me, that’s been self-evident for a long time. In fact, when you apply sustainability as a guiding principle, you can identify plenty of opportunities. Okay, it’s not always easy. But if you focus on this, it does give you a head start. Among other things, we have obtained the Global Gap and
GRASP certificates and are affiliated with Vegaplan. Our efforts are paying off. Let me give you just a few examples. Our pots are carbon-free and if the customer requires, we can also deliver in carbon-free planters. Because these come with a higher price tag, we leave it up to the customer to decide.
“When you apply sustainability as a guiding principle, you can identify plenty of opportunities” Lode De Waele For our potting soil, we are using 45% less peat. We also top our pots with tree bark or container mulch, do not use heating in our new greenhouse and will soon try to use as much electricity as possible from our solar panels during the day so that we consume less externally generated power.
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SUPPLIER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
W H E R E ? Lochristi & Wachtebeke (BE) W H AT & H O W M A N Y ? 18 hectares,
comprising 9 hectares of greenhouses and 9 hectares of container fields. Annual production of: 620,000 Chamaecyparis, 600,000 Cupressus, 250,000 Azalea japonica, 70,000 Rhododendron, 170,000 Camellia, 50,000 Pieris and 20,000 Choisya E M P LOY E ES ? Around 16 to 28, depending
on the season SA L ES M A R K E T ? Wholesale in Belgium
and the Netherlands. Smaller customers in the rest of Europe, primarily Italy, the UK, Denmark, Sweden and Poland.
And I haven’t even mentioned water recovery, which is a hot topic at the moment, but something we’ve already been doing for years. With the arrival of the new greenhouse, we created a water basin that is the size of a football field and five metres deep. As a result, we are able to collect rainwater. We will also be switching to hydrogen shortly. This is how we are making our company future-proof.” Joining forces beyond national borders Now we’re talking about the future, what trends can Lode identify? “I find it difficult to make predictions. What I do think is that after a very successful period, we will have to be prepared to see sales drop a little. Life is becoming more
expensive, so people are spending less on affordable luxury products like ours. I am also expecting a shift within the sector. On the one hand, I notice that there are fewer growers and that’s a pity. Not only will this reduce the range, but it’s also bad news for the region, because if there are fewer growers in Lochristi and the surrounding area, foreign clients will be less interested in coming here. On the other hand, we must think beyond just trading locally. The Netherlands is a stone’s throw away, so it will be better to join forces beyond national borders.”
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AUTUMNAL INTERIOR
It’s time to cocoon! While your garden prepares for hibernation, your interior needs a boost. And this season, there’s plenty to choose from. A fabulous cactus in a novelty pot? Yes please! A mix of spicy Capsicum? Just do it! The bolder, the better. Experiment with colourful stick-ins and lively arrangements. Put on some exotic music in the background and the indoor fiesta can begin! Discover the Floréac selection in our webshop
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COUPE-§GL083A COUPE-§GL091A COUPE-§GL087A BROMMX-SP35A
COUPE-§SP155A COUPE-§SP156A
COUPE-§GL092A
COUPE-§MA107A
COUPE-§SP168A
COUPE-§MA026A COUPE-§SP169A
FICUS-MA01A
KALANC-SP17A
KALANC-HP02A
PHALKOMX-SP04A
GPMVMX-SP40A
SANSMX-SP126A PHKOMX-§SP09A MONSTE-SP09A
13 All products for this theme are of course available in our webshop : www.floreac.shop
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Third time gold with the Trophée d’Or 2022 What an honour! Floréac has been awarded the prestigious Trophée d’Or 2022 by JardinPlus for the third time in a row. And that can only mean one thing: we’re on the right track. And we intend to keep it that way. Our plan? To intensify our efforts in the areas of innovation and service and to collaborate even more intensively.
Continuing down the path taken “This award shows that the efforts we have made in recent years are clearly bearing fruit,” say Guillaume Bianco and Benoit Strauven, respectively Key Account Manager and CEO at Floréac. And rightly so. But without the confidence of our clients, we wouldn’t be here right now. So firstly, we’d like to say a big thank you to all of them. This award motivates us to deepen our collaboration with our partners still further. In fact, we want to satisfy their requirements even more closely while also being innovative. Collaboration, innovation and service, it is no coincidence that we were awarded ten out of ten for these three pillars by the professional jury.
You can always do better A few examples of our efforts: we recently started scheduling extra delivery days for the French market, mainly in order to spread out the logistical flows a little. We also continue to focus strongly on communication. Not just to support our customers in their choices, but also to provide inspiration for their in-store presentation. Our online shop remains an important tool for this. It allows store staff to find the right information about our wide range of products in no time at all. And our customers also enjoy time-saving administrative benefits thanks to this tool.
Our magazine remains a source of inspiration too. By means of all these efforts, we want to make things easier for our clients and share our knowledge about innovative developments and trends.
People are the key Sustainability was already firmly embedded in Floréac’s DNA, but now we have anchored it even more strongly. We have been a member of the FSI (Floriculture Sustainability Initiative) for several months now. The aim is to work together with certified growers to achieve at least 90% ecologically sustainable products by 2025. It goes without saying that we are doing this to reduce our footprint. This pursuit of sustainability is also evident in the workplace. Since coronavirus came along, teleworking has definitively gained a place in our company culture. There is a better worklife balance and this progressive approach is perceived as a plus by our employees. We are aware of our responsibility as a company to contribute to a better world. People are our key here. Without them, there could be no growth.
Happiness in uncertain times We’re on the right track, and we want to keep it that way. Today, however, it’s difficult to look into a crystal ball and predict what 2022 will bring. The entire sector is facing a challenge. We need to continue to convince consumers of the benefits of plants in the garden, on the terrace, on the balcony, in the house and on the plate. But what does it all boil down to? The fact that we can bring a little happiness to people with our producers every day. And that’s what we’re going for. Here’s to the fourth Trophée!
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ODE TO THE ORCHID
The queen of the jungle? That would be the orchid, obviously. This autumn, she shines in all colours, sizes and shapes. Take a deep bow for this fabulous lady. Inspire your clients with an oasis of orchids: Oncidium, Cymbidium, Ludisia, Paphio, Dendrobium, Vanda and more! Present them together or compose an urban jungle with them in the leading role. And be sure to highlight their extra assets. Because not only are they a treat for the eye, they also boost the mood. Everything to ensure happy customers!
Discover the Floréac selection in our webshop
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CYKBMX-12TA3V
BRASMX-TA2A BRSHTOMX-TA1A
DENOSM-TA2V
CABARD-TA5A CANEIS-TA2A
DEBLHA-TA2A
DEBEOD-TA9/11A PAAMHY-TA1P
DENOAK-TA2V
DETHAI-TA2A ONCHBA-TA1A ODONTI-TA1A ONTITA-TA3A
ORCHPAMX-TA2A
VANDMX-H02A ZYGOMX-TA2A 17 All products for this theme are of course available in our webshop : www.floreac.shop
In a higher gear towards 90% sustainable purchasing by 2025 Why Floréac’s participation in FSI will benefit the entire sector Since March 2022, Floréac has been a member of the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI). Together with other partners from the flower and plant sectors, we are committing to a sustainable supply chain in the years ahead. In concrete terms, by 2025, 90% of the plants that we trade must be produced sustainably. This will be a new milestone in our history. Jeroen Oudheusden (Executive Officer, FSI), Pieter Van De Velde (Purchasing Manager, Floréac) and Wico van Dam (Quality Coordinator, Floréac) explain the added value for the sector. How did FSI come about? Jeroen: “The foundations for FSI were laid in 2012, when a number of players from the flower and plant sectors sounded the alarm bell. The government was increasingly demanding sustainability and consumers were also becoming more critical. Although a few things were happening here and there on the fringes, there was no centralised approach – and that had to change. To prevent others from setting our agenda, we needed to take matters into our own hands.
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So a network of pioneers got together: multistakeholders who wanted to collaborate to create an agenda with an impact. We started in 2013 with 18 members. Our first step was the certification, which needed to be more transparent and uniform. We checked all the existing certificates against a number of requirements – basic principles relating to the environment and social aspects such as working conditions. On this basis, we compiled a ‘Basket of standards’, a benchmark for good practices. We also linked this to the ambition to grow and trade 90% of products sustainably by 2025. In addition, we began working together on a number of important themes. This is how our initiative has grown. In 2020, we formulated a revised 2025 strategy that enables organisations to make the right choices based on the right data. Measuring the carbon footprint is an important step in this regard.” Why is FSI so relevant? Jeroen: “Why are we doing this? We want to futureproof the sector and to be one step ahead of the legislation. Because one thing is certain:
soon everyone will be obliged to map out the entire supply chain openly. So it’s better to be well prepared. Our underlying philosophy is actually very logical. Nature is the most precious thing we still have, especially in the light of climate change. It’s unacceptable for us to trade products from nature that have been produced at the expense of nature and people.
““Why are we joining FSI? We want to be one step ahead of the legislation. Because one thing is certain: soon everyone will be obliged to map out the entire supply chain openly. So it’s better to be well prepared.”
notice how important sustainability has become to consumers; they could switch overnight to only buying products of ecological origin. A trading company can’t change course that quickly, so we need to take action now, to be proactive. FSI has the experience required to get us into a higher gear. Incidentally, our participation in this is not the only step we are taking towards a futureproof floriculture sector. We have also embedded sustainability into our new strategy, with the appropriate name Growing Together 5 (GT5). ‘A better world’ is one of the five pillars on which our policy is based. It covers all the initiatives that we will be rolling out in the years ahead as we move towards a better world. In this context, FSI is an important tool for getting us where we want to be by 2025.”
Wico van Dam Our story has to be right. And for that, the whole supply chain must be in order. Your pot might well be made of recycled plastic, but if you’re using a pesticide that’s harmful to bees you’re not doing the right thing. You aren’t acting with integrity, and consumers will fall by the wayside. That’s why we are insist on this certification. It’s an important tool and guideline for making good choices.” Why is FSI so important to Floréac? Pieter: “Floréac wants to be a pioneer. In the past, it might have been the other way around. Back then, we thought it was enough to set a good example so that others might follow in our wake. But today, more is required. We don’t need to shift up one gear, but three. After all, you can’t fail to
vlnr Pieter Van De Velde, Wico van Dam & Jeroen Oudheusden
Jeroen: “Sustainability brings people together. We certainly haven’t chosen the easiest path, but sitting around the table with each other allows you to create a partnership instead of a distant customer relationship. You see each other as equal.”
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What are the objectives and which actions are planned to achieve them? Pieter: “Under the ‘Better World’ pillar, we have formulated three specific objectives that we will now be putting into practice: 1. Reducing our carbon footprint 2. Increasing awareness among suppliers, customers and our own employees 3. Growing support among our own employees.” Wico: “We have already started with the first objective, the measurement. By 2025, our CO2 emissions need to be reduced by 30%. I am expecting the initial results shortly after the summer, and we will use them to draw up an environmental action plan by 2023.”
“From 2025, certification will become a licence to sell. The certificate isn’t just a piece of paper. As a grower, it allows you to demonstrate that you have your entire growing process in order.” Pieter Van De Velde Pieter: “The second objective is also ongoing. We are communicating as broadly as possible to motivate growers to join us. Stating our goals out loud in this way also holds us accountable. We have to walk the talk and we need to do it together. Our message is clear: from 2025, certification will be a selection criterion. If we want to achieve our 95% sustainable purchasing goal, from then on we will only work with growers whose certification is in order. As a result, there is a high level of urgency to get certified.” Wico: “In order to make our story public, it is also important for it to be supported internally by the
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employees. And this is not just when they are in the workplace, but also outside, in their own families, and in the neighbourhoods that surround the business… The ideas must come from the bottom up. Our dream is that we will come up with so many initiatives that we have to make choices.”
“Sustainability brings people together. We certainly haven’t chosen the easiest path, but sitting around the table with each other allows you to create a partnership instead of a distant customer relationship.” Jeroen Oudheusden Why is it so important for growers to become certified? Pieter: “From 2025, certification will become a licence to sell. The certificate isn’t just a piece of
paper. As a grower, it allows you to demonstrate that you have your entire growing process in order, and that you have reliable data.” Wico: “This data is actually very important. The legislation will soon require every step in the supply chain to be documented in a transparent manner. In the store, you will be able to read the footprint of each plant. You might have the most beautiful plants as a grower, but if you don’t meet the standards you will lose your key to the market.” Which role will Floréac play in this transition? Pieter: “2025 isn’t that far away, so the time to act is now. But this doesn’t mean that growers will need to find everything out for themselves. We realise that this is a major step for many growers, especially in Belgium because the nurseries there are usually smaller. They don’t have enough manpower to invest in it. We are not abandoning them to their fate, but showing them best practices, inviting them to information sessions and lots more besides.
In short, we are taking on a connecting role. It’s not without good reason that our motto is: Growing Together.”
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DELIGHTFULLY WELCOMING AUTUMN
The days are getting shorter and the nights are nice and long again. While nature is keeping things plain and simple, we are doing the opposite: opting for colour. We are holding our door wide open for autumn. And we mean literally, because you can surprise everyone with a stylish flower arrangement on the doorstep! At the entrance to your store, experiment with baskets in natural materials, flowerpots reminiscent of tree trunks and the ever-inviting Calluna as a radiant hostess. Autumn will be delightfully welcoming this year. Discover the Floréac selection in our webshop
© www.mooiwatplantendoen.nl
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COUPE-§HP014A COUPE-§HP051A
COUPE-§HP066A
GAULTH-HP04A COUPE-§HP063A
COUPE-§MA116A
COUPE-§HP076A COUPE-§MA016A COUPE-§MA019A
COUPE-§MA118A COUPE-§ZNK019A COUPE-§SP031A COUPE-§SP102A
COUPE-§SP151A COUPE-§SP285A COUPE-§SP264A COUPE-§SP153A
COUPE-§SP265A COUPE-§ZNK043A
COUPE-§SP323A COUPE-§ZNK157A COUPE-§SP324A 23
COUPE-§ZNK070A
All products for this theme are of course available in our webshop : www.floreac.shop
SUPPLIER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Nurseries that grow both cut flowers and green pot plants? There aren’t very many of those at all. ICHTUS Flowers & Plants is one of these rare finds. And we want to know more about that! Co-owner Pieter Lips tells us the ins & outs of two-under-one-roof cultivation.
Pieter Lips
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SUPPLIER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Cut flowers and pot plants under one roof: the best of both worlds A wider range ICHTUS Flowers & Plants was founded in 1995 by Danier van der Spek. In the early period, the nursery mainly focused on growing cut Anthurium. In 2003, the Anthurium was joined by the cut Phalaenopsis. And successfully, too: this moth orchid did so well that the nursery was bursting at the seams. In 2007, a new nursery of 4.4 hectares was built. However, ICHTUS experienced its greatest pivotal moment three years ago. This was when potted Anthuriums made way for green plants: exclusive varieties of Alocasia and Philodendron in different forms and pot sizes. Difficult, but worth it Anyone who is familiar with the sector knows that the combination of two different crops, namely cut flowers and green plants, is not easy. All the same, for ICHTUS it was a logical choice. Pieter Lips explains why: “Three years ago, we noticed that green plants were doing very well. After putting out our feelers, we got the opportunity to take over the range of green pot plants from the grower Sjaak van der Sar. His range was already well positioned in the market and was regarded as rather exclusive. For us, it was the ideal springboard to this segment. In addition, this step tied in perfectly with our company vision, as we are constantly looking for new varieties to keep surprising consumers.”
“A wide range of pot sizes and varieties makes us commercially interesting, as we can provide our customers exactly what they want, all year round.” Pieter Lips
Serving customers all year round “We don’t necessarily want to grow more plants, but we do want to offer a wide range that constantly features new varieties. Our range has increased in a short time. We grow 80% of our plants in pot sizes 14 and 17, and transplant 20% to the larger pot sizes 24 and 32. It’s quite labourintensive, but this wide range of pot sizes and varieties makes us commercially interesting, as we can provide our customers exactly what they want, all year round.” Partner Floréac as a barometer With such a varied range, it’s important for growers to know what’s going on in the market. So how does ICHTUS keep its finger on the pulse? Pieter: “There are actually two components that you always need to keep an eye on. Firstly, you have the technical cultivation information that we get from our greenhouse. We like to experiment with new cultivars and put a lot of time, money and energy into this. We test small quantities for properties such as cultivation speed, number of cuttings per pot, leaf colour and so on. 25
SUPPLIER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Secondly, you have the information from the sales side. Is the plant doing well with customers and consumers, or not? Both components need to be right. We tend to pick up plants that are not easy to grow but are unique on the market. Conversely, we won’t grow plants that are already present on the market in large quantities. This vision strengthens our distinctiveness, which helps us to perform well on the market. And to maintain that balance, a partner like Floréac is worth its weight in gold. I deliberately say partner, and not customer. Over the past 18 months in particular, our collaboration has grown a great deal. Thanks to them, we are able to extract valuable knowledge from the supply chain. The people at Floréac know what’s going on with the customers and consumers. They deliberately keep the lines with us short, so that we can change course quickly. And the fact that they are selective about the companies they work with has strengthened my confidence in them all the more. They take a really good look at you first, and only take the plunge once they are 100% sure of the
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quality. That means they think in the long term, and ignore the quick wins. An added bonus is that we share the same values.” Respect for people and the environment These values are very pronounced at ICHTUS. The nursery is committed to a Christian vision of life. “Respect takes centre stage: for our customers, suppliers and colleagues, but also for nature. That’s why we make a lot of effort to grow as sustainably as possible. For example, we generate electricity via CHP. This currently still runs on gas, but the intention is to switch to hydrogen in the long term. We also focus strongly on organic pest control. In addition, we have a 100% recirculated watering system. Both our irrigation water and rainwater, which falls on the greenhouses and the shed, are 100% collected and reused. Any excess water is pumped into the ground to a depth of 120 metres to be used in times of scarcity. Our growing pots and stick-ins are made of post-consumer material that comes from recycled trays from Flora Holland. And that’s just a small selection of our efforts. I admit that becoming more sustainable is not always easy, certainly not with two crops that require different approaches. But we are 100% behind this policy.”
SUPPLIER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Focus on risk spreading ICHTUS therefore firmly believes in the added value of two crops under one roof. Why is that? “Because it allows you to spread the risks and because the crops reinforce each other throughout the year in terms of energy and work. During the pandemic, the cut flower sector hit rock bottom. Weddings were cancelled or postponed, so no bouquets were ordered. For our cut Phalaenopsis, that was a disaster. Fortunately, we were able to rely on the sale of our green plants, which
“Respect takes centre stage: for our employees, suppliers and colleagues, but also for nature. That’s why we make a lot of effort to grow as sustainably as possible.” Pieter Lips W H E R E ? Waddinxveen (NL)
experienced a huge boom. Today, we are seeing a trend in the opposite direction. Green plants are doing a little less well, but weddings are on the up, which is boosting our sales of cut Phalaenopsis. They are especially coveted in Tuscany, the ultimate wedding backdrop. In this way, the two ‘legs’ keep our nursery in balance. It also benefits our staff, as it keeps them employed all year round. They can also exchange expertise. The other side of the coin is that you have two different cultivation processes and markets, which naturally make things a bit more complex. But I’m not complaining. The growth process of our plants continues to fascinate me. I also love passing on my enthusiasm to other people. Working together towards a shared goal gives me energy.”
W H AT & H O W M A N Y ? 4.4 ha of which
2.5 ha is cut Phalaenopsis and 2 ha is green pot plants such as Alocasia and Philodendron E M P LOY E E S ? Around 25 permanent members of staff SA L E S M A R K E T ? Cut Phalaenopsis
mainly go to the US and the Middle East, as well as large cities in Western Europe. The green pot plants are distributed in Western Europe, especially in the Netherlands, the UK, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain and Italy
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new kids on the block
Indoor
NEW
MOSff§fi A MOSff§fi A
MOSff§fi A MOSff§fi A
MOSff§fi A 28
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new kids on the block
Bedding
Calberries CALLUNff§fi A
Mosaica
CALLMOfffi A
Djix red Djix dark red
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new kids on the block
Bedding
NEW
Saxifraga Dancing Pixies SADAPIfffi A
Coming up Are you already looking forward to our winter edition? Rightly so! After all, we will be introducing Levoplant and JK Plant and putting our receptionists Maikel, Wouter and Geert in the spotlight.
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If you buy for a purchase value of € 500 per theme, we will give you a free 33 x 67 cm paper poster of the chosen theme. Floréac nv Beerveldse Baan 4 9080 Lochristi Belgium T +32 9 353 53 53 F +32 9 355 52 34 info@floreac.com www.floreac.com
O R D E R I N G P OSSI B I L I T I ES Our online sale: www.floreac.shop fax: +32 9 355 52 34 telephone: +32 9 353 53 53 Or contact your sales representative