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Floréac Magazine
Winter 2023 Issue no 26
Co ntent
0 5 Foreword 0 8 Supplier in the spotlight : Van der Salm 16 The pink trend unravelled by Chlorospere 22 Product in the spotlight : Versatile Helleborus 28 Supplier in the spotlight : Fleuriche 3 4 DOPA jar as sustainable alternative to the plastic soup 3 8 New kids on the block 3 9 Trade shows 2024
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Best partner, 2023 is rushing towards the finish line at a fast pace and before we realise it, we are all sitting around the Christmas table looking into the New Year. At this very moment, just a little too early for extensive afterthoughts on the past year. One day is not the other, we each have moments of personal ups and downs. Agility, speeding up and slowing down. Celebrating successes and joyful moments together. Finding solace and unwind. Using plants to colour such moments and stimulate the senses is in our and your genes. The autumn calendar is still full of important events for the industry, excellent opportunities to meet each other and ensure that together we are ready to inspire the end customer with the appropriate offer. In that sense, meanwhile, the 26° annual and winter 2023 edition of Floréac Magazine is before you. A sneak peek with a short anthology of content. Discover: • How Barbie increasingly makes the world look through rosecoloured glasses, including in garden design • The link between flower bulb grower Fleuriche and slow brewing • The link between Coca Cola and van der Salm nursery • A slightly different interpretation of Christmas with themes such as Nordic Noel, X-Mas Garden or Christmas Chic, among others • The versatility of winter-flowering Helleborus • The sustainable assets of the DOPA pot
Happy reading!
An Vander Aa Commercial manager
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Starlit Secrets “Starry, starry night”, sang American singer-songwriter Don McLean. The perfect music to go with this theme. Because shine they will. Starring mysterious black, sparkling gold and silver. And with accents of rusty brown and brass. The ideal backdrop for the refined beauty of orchids. See how both Phalaenopsis and Cymbidiums lift their heads towards the sky? While bulbous products and green plants stay firmly with their feet on the ground. In turn shrouded in earthy and luxurious hues. A bit mysterious, but that’s how you attract customers’ attention. Let them shine!
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Lavender with the same recipe for success as Coca-Cola
Does lavender help against stress? Nursery van der Salm proves that it does. Every year, some millions of lavender plants leave here for all corners of Europe. Everything has to be done in a short space of time. The pressure is high, but there is no question of stress. Thanks to extensive automation, the right plants reach the right customers at the right time. And that also goes for the Buxus, the Gaultheria and other plants that leave the nursery. A look behind the scenes with sales manager Wietse Bakhuizen.
Wietse Bakhuizen
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two hundred workers spread across the various branches in Belgium and Portugal. So we have not been idle. Since 2012, we have had our own breeding and testing site. Besides lavender, we also grow Ilex crenata Jenny, Buxus sempervirens and, in autumn, Pinus pinea Silver Crest, Picea, Gaultheria Big Berry and deco fruit. We also work together with nursery Van Haaster under the name Fleuriche. They grow and sell potted flower bulbs. (Red. see interview with Fleuriche on p. X) A year-round activity, then.
Automation from day one Sales manager Wietse Bakhuizen was barely nine when he happened to land on the potting machine at van der Salm. Love at first sight. Today, he moves with the same enthusiasm towards Kooiweg, where the head office is still located. At the end of the 1980s, brothers Hans and Paul van der Salm laid the foundations of a nursery here that today has no fewer than seventeen branches. In the early years, they mainly grew climbing plants and conifers. But they didn’t stop there. “The company grew in a short time,” Wietse explains. “Hans and Paul invested early on in cultivation systems, delivery lines and cultivation robots. Thorough automation is something that still characterises the nursery.”
Blue and green plants all year round The brothers started growing lavender in Portugal in the early 2000s. An activity that does them no harm. Their Lavandula stoechas Anouk and Lavandula angustifolia Felice conquered Europe. But in 2007, disaster struck. Hans van der Salm dies in a traffic accident in Portugal. For the family an incentive to continue his life’s work. “The nursery is still a family business,” Wietse explains. “Even though today we employ more than
“ Hans and Paul invested early on in cultivation systems, delivery lines and cultivation robots. Thorough automation is something that still characterises the nursery ” Wietse Bakhuizen
Test and test again A wide and varied product range is one of van der Salm’s strengths. To live up to that every day, innovation is a must. Their selection and testing centre is a great example of this. “ We are strongly committed to crossing and developing resistant lavender varieties. So we grow everything from cuttings which gives us stronger plants, more resistant to diseases and also better armed against stress during transport.
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inception, it has been in van der Salm’s DNA. Wietse: “Responsible cultivation is important to us. We invested early on in solar panels and reuse our water. Of course we have the necessary certifications, namely MPS A+, MPS-GAP, MPSSocially Qualified certificates and since 2017 we are also MPSProduct Proof. To give another example, we were the first grower to participate in the FSI 2020 project.
They arrive at the trade in better condition and also flower longer. You should also know that lavender only has a short delivery time. In April/May, everything has to go out the door. Then you need extra strength and, above all, lots of automated processes. Because we don’t want to compromise on service to our customers. The bar is quite high. For instance, we want to label everything that leaves here customer-specific. Thanks to extensive digitisation, combined carts at branch level are also feasible.”
Furthermore, we have evolved from 80% peat to 40%. We would like to continue, only we have no control over how our plants are cared for in the trade. After all, peat-poor potting soil requires extra care at the point of sale. In addition, we reduce plastic. Our pots are made of 100% recycled material and are also recyclable after use. Or biodegradable. Because we keep looking for
innovative solutions. For instance, we are in a research project with Scandinavia to develop pots based on sunflower seeds. The tests are promising, but we are not quite there yet. We also tread a sustainable path with our breeding. After all, we select for resistance which means we have to use little or no pesticides. We also test our plants for compactness so you don’t have to artificially inhibit them and so on.”
Collaboration pays off Van der Salm and Floréac have been working together for a long time. “You used to come here with one or two buses at times, a real migration of people,” laughs Wietse. “No, seriously, the cooperation is very valuable for us. Thanks to Floréac, we have a shorter line with our customers.
Pioneering in sustainability You cannot separate innovation from sustainability. From its *The FSI is a market-driven initiative that aims to increase transparency, responsible production and positive impact in the international floriculture sector by 2025.
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W here? Head office in Boskoop (NL What? Lavender, Ilex crenata Jenny, Buxus sempervirens, Pinus pinea Silver Crest, Picea. Gaultheria Big Berry and deco fruit. In ser v ic e? Permanent team of +/- 250 workers spread over 17 different sites Sale s market? Garden centres, DIY stores and supermarkets across Europe, especially Germany, England, France, Scandinavia and countries in Eastern Europe
In the nineties, that even caused a serious increase in customers. In France, for example, because you don’t just get a foothold there. Conversely, I think we are also a reliable supplier for Floréac. We supply as wide a range as possible, take care of things by providing customised labels and so on.”
nursery Van Haaster was looking for a greenhouse to expand. We had a greenhouse empty in winter, just when they needed it. Under the name Fleuriche, we breed, cultivate and export flower bulbs. Not that the two companies merge completely. The sales department, for instance, sits separately. And yet it’s a win-win. For them because they use our potting machine, automation and so on. For us because we can broaden our service to customers. And being able to produce year-round. “*
Coca-Cola as an example Finally, a look to the future. “Our industry switches quickly. One year we can’t keep up with demand. The other year we have to throw away products. But I remain optimistic. Our ambition? To remain an established and reliable brand, just like Coca-Cola. If you pull open a can of cola, you just know what to expect. We too want to continue putting uniform, strong plants on the market. *Please also read the interview with Hein Van Haaster of Fleuriche on page 28.
Talking about working together. Three years ago, a new partner joined us. Wietse explains: “Flower
“ We are strongly committed to crossing and developing resistant lavender varieties ” Wietse Bakhuizen
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Brilliant Bliss Your shop like a bath full of gold chips, like a luxury resort where your customers leave the delusion of the day behind for a while? In this period, it is possible. So pamper your customers with brilliant white phalaenopsis, deliciously bathed in golden ornamental pots. Go for festive cherry roses in fresh green compositions. Or let a bit of spring in already with bulbous products or decorative white cyclamen. Do not hold back. Gold stars as added value, glittering powder on pine branches, silver baubles ... The more bling bling, the more balm for the soul.
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Christmas Chic Warm red, gold and green. It remains the Holy Trinity for Christmas. And rightly so. The colours echo carols of yesteryear, evoking memories of austere Christmas celebrations. Of simplicity. Tranquillity. Take your customers on this journey back in time. With subdued compositions in ox-red decorative pots. Or with a sophisticated Anthurium in a golden pot. Golden rule? Less is more.
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The pink trend unravelled by Chlorospere
Why has Barbie changed everything? Let’s take stock of a macro phenomenon affecting the entire consumer sector: the return of colour, starting with pink. Since 2015, styles have tended towards a natural, timeless, understated and discreet look, but colour seems to be making a comeback with a muse that millennials know well.... BARBIE. In recent years, this bright, vibrant colour has found its way not only into toys, fashion and interior design, but also into garden design.
Manuel Rucar
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There has been a colour gap for almost 10 years Since about 2015, interior design trends have been toned down, staying close to a very natural, quite sober and discreet universe. Anthracite has dominated the interior design world and more generally in society, consensual colours have become the rule. But after a few particularly austere years, colour is making a comeback and will certainly have a major impact on the world of gardening. What’s causing it? Barbiecore! During 2020 Black Friday, Mattel is privately launching the new Barbie Colour reveal, the ideal gift for brand-new mums who want to pass on the nostalgia of childhood to their children for this unusual Christmas in 2020! It is a sales record and also an absolute record for searches on Google! Since then, the success has only continued to grow! Excerpt from Elle magazine, August 2022 “She arrived in a hurry, her foot stuck to the floor of a pink convertible, who? Barbie, of course! This dazzling and inspiring comeback has gained unprecedented attention with the release in late July of the first images from the “Barbie” movie.
“ But after a few particularly austere years, colour is making a comeback and will certainly have a major impact on the world of gardening ” Manuel Rucar
albeit in a postmodern, trashier version. The proof is Megan Fox, parading as a pink bimbo on the arm of her fiancé, Machine Gun Kelly, for the release of her documentary “La Vie en rose”. Or Kim Kardashian, who knows very well what ironic plastic means and is also riding this unstoppable pink tidal wave on Instagram or TikTok, where the hashtag #barbiecore has 12.5 million views. “In the summer of 2023, Barbie is officially the highest-earning film of the year in the United States. Greta Gerwig’s comedy, starring
This puts the final layer on the pink varnish already present in all the most sophisticated luxury and entertainment products today. In fashion, Valentino has come up with its own pink, Pink PP, named after its artistic director Pierpaolo Piccioli. The result: Hollywood’s top stars have been decked out in Pink PP, from Anne Hathaway to Drew Barrymore and Glenn Close. Balenciaga designed Dua Lipa’s stage outfits in fuchsia and Moschino played with the Barbie interpretation to the delight of Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj. Even Renault reinvented its R5 Diamond in Barbie colours, as did the pink electric Fiat 500 driven by Leonardo DiCaprio. For the big names in the digital world, there is no avoiding this pink uppercut,
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you. If you hate Barbie, this film is for you,” says the trailer.
An international, nonsexual, intergenerational phenomenon: a great example for our industry! The director has struck the right balance between self-mockery and seriousness. It is a film that gently pokes fun at Barbie and her view of the world without ridiculing her.
Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, made $1.6 billion at the box office. Thanks to a highly effective marketing campaign, Greta Gerwig’s film also topped the boxoffice charts for the year. Barbie is now the 14th biggest global success of all time. It will certainly go down in history! “If you love Barbie, this film is for
It is not necessarily a feminist film, even though it may have been banned in Algeria, Kuwait, Lebanon and Vietnam and challenged in the Philippines and in China, because of its themes of gender and sexuality or its alleged use of a controversial geographical map. But it is a film that questions the place and image of young women. It is an important indicator of our world, where it was long thought that 80% of consumption was due
“ Gardeners might dare to take inspiration from these bright pink plants for filling their flowerbeds ” Manuel Rucar
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to 50-year-old housewives! The film puts into perspective the symbol of women as objects or the caricature of the perfect wife. It is a very contemporary film, in line with the biggest themes covered on Netflix, for example, and can appeal to both women and men - pink, for example, is THE colour of sportswear in
Nike’s men’s department. Pink is transversal and appeals to young and old alike. The garden market is fast becoming taken over by the millennial generation, which already accounts for 48% of consumers in France and 37% in Germany.
AND FOR THE GARDEN? After a wave of ‘urban jungle’ that lasted for almost a decade and set the benchmark for lush and generous greenery in the garden, with plants like fargesia,
no longer shy away from proposing monochrome schemes with these consensual colours: gaura, sage and foxglove are all bestsellers in garden centre displays. Combining these vibrant colours with the
tetrapanax, tree fern, pittosporum, alocasia or jasmine, gardeners might dare to take inspiration from these bright pink plants for filling their flowerbeds : roses, hydrangeas, peonies, azaleas, tulips... But that’s not all! New varieties such as Dianthus Allwoodii Electric Dreams, Alstroemeria Fashionista, Rhododendron Strastyle Pink, Salvia Pink Amistad and Armeria pseudarmeria ‘Dreamland’ fit in perfectly with Barbieland. There has also been an increase in sales of pink outdoor spotlights and garlands on the internet, including solar, as well as an increase in the use of the colour in products: furniture, parasols and pottery.The influence of Barbie pink on garden design has added a new artistic dimension and a touch of magic to our outdoor spaces. Landscapers
beauty of green or grey leaves creates gardens that are enchanting, captivating and serene. So why not let your imagination run wild and incorporate Barbie pink into your next project? Indulge in the beauty and creativity of this fascinating floral trend. From pale pink to electric pink, the garden of the coming seasons promises a little revolution!
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Nature’s Nook Imagine celebrating Christmas in the middle of a forest. The smell of cedar, moss, earth. The muted song of birds. A lone poinsettia against the intense darkness of a winter night. Capture that atmosphere in hushed compositions with earthy materials. They are there for the taking: moss, wood, pine cones, twigs ... Fairytale scenes in which winter bloomers like the Helleborus thrive perfectly.
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Product in the spotlight : Versatile Helleborus
‘A rose is a rose.’ ... But some roses are different. Think of Christmas roses, winter roses or spring roses. ... Hellebores, popularly known as sneezeweed, devil’s weed and oracle flower. Piece by piece they brighten up the winter. They are super strong, and thanks to innovative breeding, varieties are emerging that do even better. That deserves a review.
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Christmas rose or Helleborus niger Perennial from November onwards. As the garden tumbles into hibernation, this winter bloomer peeps out among the perennial greenery. A brilliant white flower bud rises up between dark-flowered leaves. But otherwise it shines in white with a soft yellow heart. Its absolute highlight? The Christmas season. As the centrepiece of sophisticated decorative arrangements, it even outshines Christmas trees. He also has the last word outside. Rain or wind? It can take a beating, whether potted on the patio or freestanding in the garden. Here, it thrives best in shady spots.
Available through us: • Niger from Opplant and Christmas Carol from Hoogeveen: grown from seed • Niger Heuger Gold Collection by Kuivenhoven: propagated in vitro and therefore a stronger uniform plant. • Verboom Beauty by Verboom: flowers from Advent and is the only Helleborus to bloom in the living room. Plants are usually delivered without leaves so that the flowers stand out even better. The growing process is 2.5 years! And it pays off. After flowering, they can be planted out in the garden.
Winter rose Purple, creamy white, raspberry red, soft yellow ... the winter rose likes to colour outside the lines. It blooms proudly from November to March. Freezing temperatures or snow do not bother it and even the sun cannot harm it. Why is that? Winter roses originate from crosses between Christmas roses and Helleborus species from Mediterranean flora. The best of both worlds. Another asset? It has no strict soil requirements. Give it plenty of space and it grows luxuriantly.
Available through us: • Nigercors species: a cross between Corsican sneezewort (Helleborus argutifolius) and Majorcan sneezewort (Helleborus lividus). The white, cream-coloured flowers bloom as early as November. • Ice ‘n Roses series: a cross between Christmas, winter and spring roses. The dark red and pink sometimes even bicoloured flowers bloom as early as November. • Frostkiss series : is hardy, long-flowering, colourful and has beautiful marbled leaves all year round
Spring rose Are there still seasons? With a spring rose in the garden, spring starts extra early. Traditionally, the spring rose is a Helleborus orientalis, native to southeastern Europe. But through clever cross-breeding, some orientalis varieties bloom as early as November/ December. Place them in light shade and they pack the garden in different colours.
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Pests and diseases -Winter roses are generally resistant to most pests and diseases.
Helleborus getting stronger Helleborus is a stunningly strong plant. Thanks to innovative breeding in labs, new varieties perform even better. Only varieties that score well on, among other things, shelf life, floridity, flowering predictability and resistance make it to the finish line. ViV collection - Microflor Gold Collection - Heuger Winter Angels (Verboom Beauty and Frost Kiss) Verboom
Available through us: • Orientalis and Orientalis hybrids • Primal species such as Helleborus argutifolium, lividus, foetidus, x sternii
Lord bright Helleborus: some care tips Christmas roses, spring roses and winter roses share an important asset. Whether they grow in the garden or in flower pots, they need little attention. With these tips, they will stay healthy and blooming. Light and location - Winter roses thrive best in semishade to shade. Choose a location where they get some protection from the hot midday sun. Soil - Provide a well-drained, moist soil rich in organic matter. Water - Although winter roses are hardy plants, they still need some moisture, especially during dry periods. So water regularly, but avoid moisture accumulation. Pruning - Cutting away spent flowers is not necessary. For the simple reason that they gradually turn to pink or green. So they remain beautiful. Remove seed pods before they open.
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Meet our Belgian suppliers: • Opplant : Niger Christmas Carol in various pot sizes • Canteira : 17 cm ViV varieties from Microflor and the Gold Collection including the Ice ‘n Roses series • Wilgenbroek : large assortment of orientalis seedlings, single and double-flowered, many special varieties
Meet our Dutch suppliers • Hoogeveen: ✼ Christmas Carol in pot 12,14,17,19 cm and lots of added value with Christmas Carol ✼ Argutifolius, Foetidus, Lividus and x sternii : in pot 14 cm ✼ Orientalissen in pot 14 cm • Verboom: ✼ ‘Verboom beauty’ collection : ✼ Frostkiss series • Kuivenhoven: Known for the Heuger Gold Collection 13, 15 and 19cm • Vd Velden: mainly added value at Helleborus Niger
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Nordic Noel Nothing more cosy than a warm Christmas jumper complete in Nordic Noel style. Red interspersed with white and a dash of green. Scandinavian sleek yet playful. And above all timeless. So add a touch of Scandinavian magic to your decor. Humour is the best soil for wonder. Just think of cache pots decorated with images of reindeer, a jolly Father Christmas, mysterious gnomes or side plugs featuring the same characteristic figures. Anything for smiles on your customers’ faces, right?
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I am a great believer in the triangle of grower - Floréac and the end customer
Anything given time, space, light and love tastes like more. At flower bulb nursery Fleuriche, tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs are given time to grow. Slow brewing Co- -owner Hein Van Haaster likes to compare the delicate brewing process to slow cooking. A favourite preparation method among Michelinstarred chefs. Says it all, right? A look behind the scenes of this young supplier.
Hein Van Haaster
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More than 100 years of flower bulbs in the genes Hein Van Haaster, co-owner of Fleuriche, grew up among flower bulbs. For more than a hundred years, his family has been a household name in the sector. The family business H. M. Van Haaster focuses primarily on growing and exporting flower bulbs. Hein wanted to take it a step further. “Five years ago I started a bulb forcing business with ,” he explains. “For me, that was a logical move to also serve this link in the chain, namely the production of potted bulbs. After two years, I bumped into my limits. I wanted to grow and invest in a bigger greenhouse. An expensive undertaking, especially since you only use that greenhouse for a few months in the year.”
Win-win for Fleuriche and van der Salm “Sometimes everything falls into place. I found out that Paul van der Salm was looking for a use for his greenhouse during winter periods. Just that period I needed a greenhouse. So, why not work together? Moreover, there were factors at play that were interesting for both parties. Van der Salm’s quiet period corresponds to our peak period, which means we can use their infrastructure as well as their workforce. The advantage for them? Year-round production. A win-win, in other words.*
“ It was a logical move for me to also serve this link in the chain, which is the production of potted bulbs ” Hein Van Haaster
Slow brewing Today, Fleuriche controls the entire flower bulb supply chain. “We are quite unique in this,” Hein says proudly. “It gives us a strong position in the sector. After all, we have more control over the final product and set the bar high. The biggest difference from other hatcheries? With us, the bulbs are given time, space, light and water to grow. Again, thanks to van der Salm’s ultramodern greenhouse. A spacious greenhouse where our bulbs are given the chance to grow slowly. Up to two or three weeks instead of the usual two or three days. I sometimes compare it to slow cooking. A technique where you cook a piece of meat ultra slowly, for example, which intensifies the flavours. A similar process takes place with our bulbs. They are better adapted, stronger, have more vivid colours resulting in stronger and healthier plants.”
Sustainability and innovation go hand in hand Fleuriche and van der Salm share the same vision of sustainable and innovative cultivation. “The two are also inextricably linked,” Hein explains. “Van der Salm is quite advanced in automation and digitalisation and we reap the benefits of this. But we also make a
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lot of efforts ourselves. To give an example: our bulb shed is one of the first sheds in the Netherlands to be hybrid . To dry our bulbs, we generate as much energy as possible via heat pumps, which in turn are powered by solar energy. The cold stores also run on green electricity. To process and dry our bulbs in the summer, we use a lot of energy in the form of heat. We used to generate this heat by burning gas. In the new barn, we mainly use heat pumps that convert electricity into heat for this purpose. Most of the electricity is generated by two thousand solar panels on our roof. The same applies to the cold stores. By strategically choosing slow brewing, we consume less energy anyway. Because the product grows more slowly at a lower temperature, which is slightly higher than the outside temperature. We also use water sparingly. In outdoor cultivation, the irrigation is underground. We never have to water from above , even in extremely dry periods. By
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irrigating underground, the water evaporates less and less is lost. In the greenhouse itself, we reuse the water that is not absorbed by the plant.”
anyway. We are now mainly focusing on varieties that are fully resistant so that in the long run pesticides will no longer be necessary.
Sustainable breeding is also embedded in the breeding process. “We mainly select varieties that are resistant to certain diseases. In this way, we significantly reduce the use of pesticides. In the greenhouses themselves, we don’t use them
We also use recyclable jars made of PCR material and even jars made of sunflower seeds. Only the latter are not so popular because of their high cost price. All our efforts ensure a high score on MPS and MPS-SQ. Today a must do business.”
“ Through slow brewing, our plants are better adapted, stronger, more beautiful in colour, in short, you get a stronger and healthier plant ” Hein Van Haaster
Working together on the basis of a shared vision Talking about business. Fleuriche is a relatively new partner of Floréac. How does this young scion view the partnership? “We only met last year and it clicked immediately. Floréac is one of the forerunners in the market. We share the same progressive vision and have already taken some great steps together. Especially our added value, the bulbs in a pot or pan, is doing well. Last year, we secured some nice orders for the English market through them. I am a great believer in the triangle: grower, Floréac and end customer. If the communication is good and you as a customer can explain the philosophy behind your growing process, beautiful things happen.”
Growing beauty Beautiful things, that’s what Hein does it for. “Flower bulbs are part of my roots. I am still proud of what I do every day. In March and April, when all the flower bulb fields here are in bloom, the whole world looks at us. You plant a piece of happiness in people. It is a piece of culture that we should continue to cherish. I do that every day, also looking forward to tomorrow. Somewhere I dream that my daughters will continue my work. In an even more sustainable way, without pesticides and independent of fossil energy. That is the path I want to take.” *Please also read the interview with Wietse Bakhuizen van der Salm on page 8
Where ? Boskoop (NL) What ? Daffodil, tulip and hyacinth bulbs (in pots) Employe d ? One permanent employee supplemented by labour from van der Salm Sale s market ? Europe
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X-Mas Garden DDreaming of a white Christmas? Then drape your garden or balcony in Christmas decorations. Snow or not, they will shine. While the cold outside air scorches lightly, stylish cherry decorations warm even the worst cold weather. All together around a twinkling Christmas tree, gazing at thousands of stars. How blissful is that?
Prefer something more subtle? Then warm up your customers with specially designed Christmas planters, ideal for festively sprucing up your outdoor space.
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DOPA jar as sustainable alternative to the plastic soup
Floréac embraces sustainable initiatives. Recently, the DOPA pot added to the list. This bio-resin-based degradable paper pot is the ideal replacement for the plastic pot. We list its advantages.
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Bio-resin as a strongmaker Gardening is hip, at the same time consumers are becoming more critical and demanding a sustainable product. A plastic growing pot does not fit the bill then. Because the more potted plants they transplant into the garden, the more waste is left behind. As a grower and customer, you also know the disadvantages, because the packaging tax is going up. That has to change. The answer to this dilemma? The DOPA pot. Developed by Netherlands-based Plantics. This startup focuses on the production and development of sustainable natural materials based on bio-resins.
What is a DOPA pot? A DOPA pot is a pot made of recycled paper, coated with a bio-resin based on agricultural residues. That bio-resin makes the paper pots much stronger, even when wet. Moreover, they are less susceptible to mould and algae. The idea is to use these pots from cultivation until after sale. This is the only way we will reduce the use of plastic to zero. At the moment, the DOPA pot is mainly suitable for short-term outdoor crops. For crops longer than six months, researchers are today diligently searching for a solution.
• The fungi, as part of the natural composting process, grow on the pot. So the benefits are numerous. You reduce the waste stream and pay less packaging tax. Also important. If you add the DOPA jar to your sustainability range, you score with the environmentally conscious consumer. A win on all fronts, in other words.
What are the advantages of the DOPA pot? • The DOPA pot is fully cold compostable. The plant has to go into the ground together with the pot and is thus part of the product. Here, they compost after an average of three months. • The plant’s roots grow through the pot. • The pots serve as nutrients for the plant.
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Exit Christmas tree, welcome houseplant It’s that time of year again. The Christmas tree, which brought so much warmth and cosiness to the home, is quietly disappearing. Now what? How on earth do we fill that void? The answer is simple: with plants. Because that way, you won’t give that persistent winter dip a chance. Find out how greenery adds some much-needed spice to life.
Unwind After the holidays, it’s time to slow down. To fold back on yourself for a while. No better remedy than to focus on plants. Because when you look after plants, the brain takes a break. Your mind checks out, as it were. Complete zen. Give it a try!
More breathing space in the workplace More and more people are working from home. Did you know that plants make the best colleagues then? They promote creativity, purify the air and filter disturbing noise. So get them soon and put them near your desk. Check our webshop to see which plants fit this theme perfectly.
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New kids on the block Ava ila from ble Janu ary 1 202 4
Indoor : Scents by Esperit
Bedding : Amaryllis waxed
AMARYL-WA30A
AMARYL-WA31A
Ava i bloo lable in m Febr from ua 202 ry 4
HNS : Hortinno Cascadula
AZJAHOCA-19A
38
Gaultheria duet
AZJAHOCA-19A
TRADE SHOWS 2024 GERMANY Date 23 - 26 January
Event IPM
Location Essen
UK Data 25 - 27 juni
Evenement Glee
Locatie NEC Birmingham
NETHERLANDS Date 10-11 January 6 - 7 February 13 - 14 March 10 - 11 April 21 - 22 August 4 - 5 September 2 - 4 October 5 - 7 November
Event Flora Holland Winter Fair Plantarium | Groen-Direkt Trade Fair Spring Fair Plantarium | Groen-Direkt Autumn Fair Groot Groen, boomkwekerij Trade Fair
Location Aalsmeer Int. Trade Centre Hazerswoude/Boskoop Rijswijk Aalsmeer Int. Trade Centre Hazerswoude/Boskoop Aalsmeer GrootGroenPlus, Zundert Aalsmeer
BELGIUM Date 5 March 20 August
Event Florall Florall
Location Waregem EXPO Waregem EXPO
39
Floréac nv
Beerveldse Baan 4 - 9080 Lochristi - Belgium T +32 9 353 53 53 - info@floreac.com - www.floreac.com
