• Challenges of an extremely wet winter and spring for tree nurseries and existing green spaces
• Trade fair GrootGroenPlus, an international platform for purchasing and relationships
• Pot and container cultivation: indispensible in the nursery stock industry
• Bee mortality rate remains high, but not due to neonics
• Green: a promising colour Polish nursery stock industry at a glance
• Colours in the tree nursery: why certain colours do not exist in plants
COLOPHON: This KwekersBode is a cooperation between Uitgever de Bode and GrootGroenPlus | Distribution: Municipalities of Halderberge, Etten-Leur, Rucphen, and Zundert | Print: 54,000 copies | Acquisition: John van Aert | Layout: Jan Bastiaenen | Text contributions GrootGroenPlus: team members of GGP.News
Text: Nursery Stock Trade Fair GrootGroenPlus
CHALLENGES OF AN EXTREMELY WET WINTER AND SPRING FOR TREE NURSERIES AND EXISTING GREEN SPACES
This past winter and spring, more rainfall has been recorded than in previous years. This has posed significant challenges for many tree nurseries and existing green spaces, such as city parks and gardens. Overflowing waterways and saturated soils are not just a temporary inconvenience; they have long-lasting effects on the health and growth of trees and plants.
Saturated soil: an invisible enemy One of the biggest problems resulting from extreme rainfall is soil saturation. When the soil is fully saturated with water, it can lead to several negative effects. A healthy soil contains enough tiny air pockets around the plant roots to prevent suffocation. Suffocation can lead to root rot, a condition that can spread quickly and significantly impact the growth and health of trees.
Additionally, saturated soil can lead to subsidence. When the soil absorbs too much water, it becomes heavy and compact. This not only reduces the soil’s porosity but can also endanger the stability of trees. Shallow-rooted trees and plants, as well as young saplings, are at the greatest risk of falling over due to insufficient anchoring.
Root rot and delayed growth: major impact for tree nurseries
For tree nurseries, root rot is one of the most feared consequences of a wet period. This fungal disease, known as Phytophthora, thrives in wet conditions and can quickly infect an entire nursery. Affected trees show symptoms such as wilting, discoloration of leaves, and in severe cases, the death of a tree.
Moreover, soil saturation causes delayed growth. Trees and plants need a good balance of water and air in the soil to grow optimally. Excessive water disrupts this balance, preventing roots from functioning properly, resulting in slower growth and reduced vitality. This means growers have to wait longer for marketable trees, which incurs additional costs. The financial impact on businesses is substantial.
Effects on city parks and gardens
Tree nurseries are not the only to suffer from excessive rainfall. It impacts existing green spaces, such as city parks and gardens, as well. In urban areas, where the soil is often already compacted due to construction and human activity, extra water can lead to serious problems. The soil is so compacted that water drains away with difficulty, quickly causing water saturation. As a result, plants and grass fields stand with their roots in water for too long, effectively drowning. Bare spots and dying vegetation are the visible consequences. Municipalities and park managers must take extra measures to mitigate damage and carry
Ornamental shrub nursery H. den Dunnen
out restoration work, such as improving drainage and replacing damaged plants. This does not come cheaply.
Resilient soil is essential
Given the expectation of more extreme weather conditions in the future, having a resilient soil is crucial. A resilient soil is characterised by a healthy structure with both good water retention and good drainage. It also contains sufficient biodiversity above and below the surface. All these factors contribute to better handling of excess water and maintaining soil structure.
ensure that our trees and plants remain healthy and that our green spaces will flourish, regardless of weather conditions.
The challenges are significant, but with the right approach and dedication, tree nurseries and green space managers can help build a sustainable future where both trees and people can thrive.
have never dealt with so much water as we did last season. On our field nursery, where we grow challenging deciduous ornamental shrubs with root balls, it has been a significant challenge to get everything through this wet season properly. Overall, this has gone reasonably well because we take several measures prior to each cultivation.”
What measures have you taken?
To prevent waterlogging, tree nurseries can invest in drainage systems that quickly and efficiently remove excess water. These can range from underground pipes to ditches that carry water away from the root zone. Another preventative measure is the creation of raised plant beds, which usually have good aeration, ensuring the plant roots continue to access oxygen.
Organic layers and innovative soil solutions
To address the effects of heavy rainfall in the future, two key components need to be considered. The first is improving the soil’s buffering capacity. This requires maintaining and increasing the organic matter content in the soil. Adding organic materials like compost and mulch can improve soil structure and its ability to retain water. Organic matter promotes healthy soil fauna, which in turn enhances aeration and drainage. These layers are vital for the water system and play a significant role in providing nutrients for the growth of trees and plants.
Additionally, professionals are looking ahead and adapting to changing climatic conditions by investing heavily
in soil improvement. Using advanced and innovative technologies such as soil moisture sensors can help growers obtain real-time information about soil moisture levels, preventing the soil from drying out so much during droughts that water runs off rather than soaking in.
Targeted research: innovation in practice
An example of a successful adaptation is a nursery that, after several wet seasons, invested in an advanced drainage system combined with sensor technology. By using soil moisture sensors, they now have precise insights into when the soil is becoming saturated. This allows the grower to activate the drainage system early to remove excess water. This approach has significantly reduced root rot and improved growth results. An additional benefit is the reduced incidence of diseases and pests.
What should nurseries and green space managers do?
The extremely wet winter of 2023/2024 has exposed the vulnerability of our soils and green spaces. For tree nurseries and green space managers, it remains crucial to take proactive steps to make their soils more resilient. Investing in good drainage, organic layers, and innovative technologies will help mitigate the impact of future water challenges. Only by taking measures now, can we
Experiences from GrootGroenPlus participant Laurens van Haperen of the conifer and shrub nursery from Wagenberg.
Laurens: “After two consecutive wet winters, the effects are clearly visible on our fields. Chamaecyparis species, in particular, have suffered.” We asked Laurens if he was able to remedy this.
Laurens: “Intervening during cultivation is difficult, so we try to optimise conditions before planting by growing cover crops, levelling the ground in summer (levelling is fine-grinding ploughed ground and levelling the land to ensure good water drainage), digging drainage ditches, and adding extra organic material. Maintaining the topsoil, where most root formation occurs, is crucial. We notice that water does not drain away in some parts of the field, which affects soil structure and negatively impacts soil life due to a lack of oxygen. This leads to poorly developed crops due to reduced rooting during the growing season.”
We asked if good drainage would be the solution. Laurens: “We increasingly more often consider installing controlled drainage to regulate water levels in winter and summer. The use of measuring instruments offers great advantages, because moisture measurements allow for more targeted actions. This reduces ‘cultivating by feel’ and can be well substantiated with a pF curve. In conclusion, we believe the green industry must take proactive steps. Soil resilience is essential, and everyone can contribute to better soil quality in their own way.”
We also posed these questions to Huib den Dunnen of the H. den Dunnen field nursery of ornamental shrubs in Zundert.
Huib: “Let me start by saying that we
Huib: “Our plot is drained and lies quite high relative to the main brook in Zundert, where the water eventually flows to. For each crop, we re-grade everything to a slope and thoroughly loosen the subsoil. The use of compost is also starting to pay off. Additionally, growing on beds is a great advantage during such a wet winter. Excessive rain can also flow off the land via the paths. To prevent all the water from immediately flowing into the ditch, we sow a wide grass lane that also serves as a path. We also do not bring heavy machinery onto the land during cultivation, keeping the beds nicely airy.”
All’s well that end’s well?
“In hindsight, it is easy to talk, and we have also worried about whether everything would survive, but when we look at the crops that are to be delivered this year, we see good crop development.”
The KwekersBode also asked the Water work group of the Coöperatieve vereniging Treeport for a response:
“The topic of water has two aspects for us: quality and quantity. We have been working on quality for years with the Brabantse Delta Water Board (WSBD, waterschap Brabantse Delta). The project ‘Schoon Water voor Brabant’ (clean water for Brabant), that we have created together, has allowed us to make great strides in improving water quality. We also work closely with WSBD on the quantity issue. They help us manage excess water, but they also understand and recognise the water demand for our crops. A common comment this winter was, ‘It’s not unlikely that we will be begging for water in four weeks.’ This illustrates how difficult it will be to adapt the entire water system for the future. Fortunately, Treeport has many members willing to share their knowledge and invest their time.”
Laurens van Haperen
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‘IN A FEW YEARS, CULTIVATION WITHOUT AUTOMATED PLANTING MACHINES WILL BE INCONCEIVABLE’
The automated planting machines of TolenaarsTransplanting Services (TTS) from Rijsbergen are taking over the world. Which is no small feat, since the first machine created by the company established in Rijsbergen was only created five years ago. A conversation with its owner, Rob Tolenaars.
TTS makes smart and efficient re-planting machines of its own design. Her machines are mainly used for planting seedlings and for agriculture and forestry. The machines are also very important for flower producers, since it allows for grafts of flowers such as dahlias to be planted out simply and efficiently.
Hands
According to Rob Tolenaars, his automated planting machines are a part of the future. “That mainly has to do with the fact that it is currently so hard to find staff in many industries. There is a shortage of hands, so to speak, and that’s not just here, but also in other countries. Automation is the answer. With the so-called multi-rower (high density planter) that we produce, up to twelve rows of plants can be planted in the field in one go. That’s approximately 36,000 plants per hour. A job that normally requires a group of people, can be done by one or two people at most, using the machine.”
Uniformity
The TTS Transplanter automated planting machine is actually a very user-friendly concept. A hard plastic tray
Especially when you use the right plug and the right tray. We insert the compressed pre-filled plug, developed in cooperation with OptiPlug, which prevents air pockets being created in the TTS tray which would allow for a plug to settle. Wilbert Stek also creates plugs for our machines. To guarantee plant quality and uniformity. we prefer to work with our own hard plastic trays, that have been developed for this, even though we’d like to assist with specific requirements from the client. That way, we already developed multiple trays with an ingenious system, since a tray is more than just a piece of plastic with holes drilled into it. Creating trays is an expertise in itself. They are extensively tested, among others at Boomkwekerij Verpaalen, Trayplant, and Tenax Tree Plugs & Seeds.”
Scaling up
instance the case in the United Kingdom. Forestry England, a governmental organisation responsible for nature conservation, has purchased the entire process from us. The huge plots in those countries are not to be compared with the plots here. Here, tree nurseries often work with many different varieties or products. That is why here, we also use trays with feet that can be lifted by using a forklift. This allows for easier automation, which is handy for smaller volumes.”
Tolenaars. “Many are reluctant, but in the end, automation will prove to be inevitable. We offer the machines and the service and consultancy.”
The automated planting machines, different hard trays and transport frames of TTS are shown on the Technical Day Tree Cultivation hosted by Treeport, at Hergo Boomkwekerijen on Thursday 27 June from 13:00 - 17:00. Because automation is standardisation for optimisation.
As mentioned, TTS is globally active
Big step
In Zundert and it surroundings, known
planting machines. However, Lodders Boomkwekerijen took the leap, says Rob
TRADE FAIR GROOTGROENPLUS, AN INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM FOR PURCHASING AND RELATIONSHIPS
When planning a visit to a trade fair, you naturally want to evaluate the offerings beforehand. Is this trade fair worth my time and travel expenses? For professionals in the green industry, the answer is a resounding YES when it comes to trade fair GrootGroenPlus. This trade fair, which is traditionally held in the first week of October in Zundert, focuses on green products. These products -whether plants, shrubs, or trees- are presented in every conceivable shape and form, from young plants for further cultivation to standard trees and tall fruit trees. Garden centres and landscapers will find a wide range of visually appealing products here, from both domestic and international growers. This includes perennials, aquatic plants, colourful shrubs, and trees attractive for their blooms, foliage colour, and/or shape. With changing climatic conditions, Mediterranean planting is also gaining popularity. Moreover, GrootGroenPlus serves as a crucial platform for establishing new relationships and maintaining existing ones.
Expansion of international visits and participation
One of the key objectives of GrootGroenPlus is to increase the number of international participants and visitors. Besides the long-standing practice of inviting and hosting international journalists, another strategy is to attract foreign buyers, garden centres, and trade organisations. This strategy is now facilitated by a contribution from the European Plant Support Foundation (EPS). Through this project, GrootGroenPlus can specifically focus on attracting potential participants and promoting the trade of nursery stock products, with an emphasis
on the visually appealing segment and related technologies.
Engaging in international business as a grower or trader is no small feat. You will have to comply with several government regulations. One crucial requirement for trading and transporting plants and plant materials within Europe is the plant passport. A plant passport is a collection of mandatory information that must accompany the trade of all plants intended for planting within the European Union (EU). It provides details about the identity and origin of the shipment and allows the tracking of the original producer. The presence of a plant
Photo contest ‘In the picture’
With a theme like ‘In the picture’, a captivating photo contest is a must. This year, participants and suppliers of the GrootGroenPlus trade fair are invited to join this exciting initiative.
Participants and suppliers are encouraged to submit up to five high-quality and beautiful photos that - together - tell a compelling story. Along with the photos, entrants should also write that story down. However, this story won’t be shared with the jury - at least, not immediately.
The jury, an international panel of five individuals, including members of the EPS and GGP boards, a professional photographer, and journalists, will review the photos prior to trade fair GrootGroenPlus. They will offer their version of the story behind the photos. These interpretations will then be compared to the original story submitted by the participants. The best entries will be showcased at the trade fair, and one outstanding submission will be awarded a special prize.
To participate, please submit up to five photos along with the story they tell via email to info@grootgroenplus.nl. The deadline for submissions is 15 September 2024.
passport indicates that the producer complies with the existing rules and standards set forth in the European Plant Health Regulation and operates under the inspection regime of an authorised inspection service. The plant passport also serves as a kind of quality assurance measure. The European plant passport system is essential for mitigating plant health risks within the European Union. It ensures that the identity and origin of plants and plant materials are well documented. This is crucial for preventing the outbreak and potential spread of harmful diseases and pests and for enabling swift traceability.
Another key regulation for international traders to comply with is the requirement for the PZ code, which ensures that the plants being traded are free from harmful organisms. PZ stands for ‘Protected Zone’. While the Netherlands itself does not have any Protected Zones, the destination countries for your products might. For detailed information on Protected Zones and the harmful organisms associated with them, growers and traders should refer to the website of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
Trade fair as an inspiration for market-oriented practices
Henriëtte van der Steen, account manager at Bricks Presentation BV, views
participating in trade fair GrootGroenPlus primarily as an opportunity to inspire market-oriented practices. Her perspective is particularly focused on the suppliers catering to garden centres. “We participate in GrootGroenPlus because we see this trade fair as a genuine opportunity for inspiration and relationship-building with our clients,” she explains. “It’s an ideal platform for us to showcase the added value we bring to our customers. Growers present a wide range of plant assortments tailored for the retail market, alongside other products that are beneficial for green retailers. Buyers attend the trade fair looking for opportunities and solutions that they can implement in their garden centres. They seek products that enhance their store’s offerings, and they have a need for presentation and communication.”
What would be a simple and effective way to present yourself, according to Bricks? Henriëtte: “By using Bricks as ‘pearls’ on the retail floor, you can create attractive display islands that significantly boost sales. Consumers often have numerous questions. They want to know what they can expect
Wiggert Jan van Wijngaarden (De Fruithof)
from a product or where to find it. Many garden centres face a shortage of staff, but consumers still need information. This is where Bricks steps in with innovative 3D recognition signs and other communication tools. Think of life-sized strawberries, apples, pears, or a butterfly or ladybug, or shapes featuring atmospheric photos and USP’s. This way, we take some of the load off of garden centres, while still encouraging sales.” Henriëtte also highlights sustainability as a crucial focus area. This encompasses not just the plants and irrigation practices but also the products provided by the supply industry. Bricks, for instance, supplies display units and Point of Sale (POS) materials. Henriëtte elaborates, “Our frames are made of galvanized steel, which makes them rust-resistant and ensures they can last for decades. The printed POS panels are either recyclable or already made from recycled materials.” She continues to expand on the importance of sustainability: “Both retailers and growers,
along with the supply industry, must prioritize sustainability. It’s becoming an increasingly significant theme and a commonly used term in the market. This means that any innovation must go beyond mere cosmetic changes. It needs to offer real advancements in areas like resistance, biodiversity, and circularity.”
Ideal to meet clients
Maurice van Meel of Handelskwekerij Het Eyssel BV calls GrootGroenPlus the perfect place to meet a lot of customers and suppliers in just a few days time. Handelskwekerij Het Eyssel BV offers a wide assortment of perennials, grasses, ferns, herbs, and ground covers. The trading nursery is predominantly supplied
by plants from its own nursery, Het Eyssel BV, located in Meerle on the BelgiumNetherlands border, near the location of trade fair GrootGroenPlus. Het Eyssel BV offers an attractive assortment of over 1,500 different types of plants cultivated in P9 pots. The focus is on wholesale, municipalities, large-scale green space providers, garden centres, landscaping, and export.
For Van Meel, it is a real relationship trade fair. The real business transactions happen at a later stage, based on the connections made during the trade fair. “We notice that our customers are increasingly more focused on aspects like biodiversity and sustainability, which truly aligns with the demand from the (consumer) market,” says Maurice. The company supplies many exporters, but Het Eyssel also deals with regulations, such as complying with PZ codes. “You really need to pay close attention to these,” Maurice notes, “but once you understand how it works, it’s not a problem.”
New opportunities for networking
A relatively new participant of GrootGroenPlus is De Fruithof, from Kapelle in Zeeland, a total supplier of a complete fruit concept for garden centres at home and abroad. De Fruithof has a wide assortment of about 170 different varieties, from small fruit to large fruit trees. Managing Director Wiggert-Jan van Wijngaarden emphasises that both the wide assortment and the operational management respond to the demands from the market, from both the retail trade and the end user, the consumer.
For example, the fruit concept goes beyond just supplying good plants. It also consists of beautiful presentation tables, sleek banners and stylish labels. Deliveries are made to garden centres and other points of sale of greenery all over Europe. All plants are grown in pots and the assortment is therefore available throughout the year. The fruit trees are on slow-growing rootstock. This makes them very suitable for the private garden and they produce really tasty fruit. Sustainability plays an important role at De Fruithof. This is reflected in the certificates and appreciation of MPS and GLOBAL GAP. An important part of this is the registration and appreciation of the use of pesticides. In recent years this has decreased significantly. The starting point is the vision ‘Organic where possible and chemical where necessary’. De Fruithof has also started working with peat substitutes.
The sustainability policy also includes the careful handling of water. Wiggert Jan: “To provide our plants with water, we use an ebb and flow system. Because the collected rainwater is stored and reused in large basins, little water is lost.” De Fruithof also has to deal with the demand for the so-called PZ code, which must safeguard buyers from plants containing harmful organisms. Wiggert Jan: “Proper handling of these codes is also part of careful management. Sometimes you have to conclude that unfortunately you cannot deliver to some protected areas.” Wiggert Jan van Wijngaarden sees participation in GrootGroenPlus 2024 as a good test to see if good contacts can be made with new companies and also to connect with existing national and international relations. “Our products have been at GrootGroenPlus before,” says Wiggert Jan, “but until now only in combination with suppliers from the technical sector who then used our plants to indicate the possibilities of their product. But now we are there independently with our fruit concept.”
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POT AND CONTAINER CULTIVATION: indispensible in the nursery stock industry
In the past, nursery crops were always grown in open grounds. However, when pot and container cultivation began to take off in the Netherlands in the late 1970s, it opened up entirely new possibilities. For example, plants grown in pots or containers do not have a specific planting season and can be planted year-round, as long as the ground isn’t frozen. This new cultivation method also allowed people without gardens to place ornamental plants in attractive pots on their balconies or terraces. While the traditional sales season for nursery stock products spanned four to five months, pot and container cultivation extended this period to at least eight to nine months. Garden centres and landscapers can now offer plants at times when they naturally have ornamental value, creating new retail opportunities for visually appealing plants that are perfect for impulse purchases.
Special fertilisation for pot and container cultivation
Although growing plants in pots and containers is in some ways ‘easier’ than growing them in open ground, there are still important considerations. Plants in small pots or large containers, as well as balcony and indoor plants, are typically grown in substrates and therefore require special fertilisers. To ensure a consistent
supply of nutrients over several months, slow-release and controlled-release fertilisers can be applied. These can be mixed into the substrate by the potting soil supplier or dosed by the grower. Fertigation, which involves adding fertilizers through the irrigation system, can also be used as the main fertilisation method or to adjust nutrition during the cultivation period.
In line with special fertilisation, there is also the question of how pot and container cultivation contributes to organic farming. The market, including public green spaces, shows an increased demand for organically grown nursery stock products. In response, the pot and container sector is offering a growing and diverse range of organic shrubs, perennials, forest and hedge plants, and standard trees.
Proper watering techniques
In recent years, there have been significant changes in watering practices. While growers once relied entirely on rainfall, more controlled watering methods have since been developed to achieve more consistent harvests. Effective watering is a crucial aspect of pot and container cultivation.
Pot and container cultivation now encompasses a wide variety of pot sizes and plant types. The appropriate amount of water is determined by how much moisture the plant evaporates, the larger the leaf area, the greater the evaporation. The climate and light intensity at a location also play roles in a plant’s evaporation rate. Furthermore, the buffering capacity of the potting soil or substrate used is a factor. In pot and container cultivation, precision technology is often employed by growers to determine the optimal water flow for the soil and plants to achieve optimal growth and uniformity.
Sustainability in pot and container cultivation
The use of peat as material for the substrate in pot and container cultivation is common. However, this practice is increasingly criticised, especially internationally. There is growing societal pressure to replace peat in potting soils and substrates due to its finite
nature and the negative environmental impact of its extraction. Transitioning to a sustainable horticultural sector requires growers to move away from using peat. Nonetheless, there are not many alternatives currently available, and those that do exist are not suitable for all types of cultivation. Growers are thus actively searching for suitable alternatives. Sustainability is crucial for pot and container cultivation as it drives the search for other growing media.
In this context, the LTO Workgroup for Trees, Perennials, and Summer Flowers, LTO Greenhouse Horticulture, Plantum, and Royal Flora Holland organised an online summit in January titled ‘Peat in potting soil and the search for alternative substrates’. Coconut fibre, a by-product of the coconut industry, is one option, but its sustainability is questionable given the long shipping distances. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is currently inventorying which (waste) products available locally could be suitable as substrates.
ILVO Vlaanderen has reported positive results: the natural microorganisms in peat alternatives like compost and (natural) management residues can stimulate plant growth and suppress plant diseases more effectively than peat. This was shown by the doctoral research of Steffi Pot at KU Leuven Campus Geel in collaboration with ILVO and PCS. Additionally, various methods (e.g., fertilisation and the addition of artificial root exudates) can significantly influence these microorganisms to further enhance plant growth and health. Compost and management residues (biomass resulting from the management of natural areas, such as heathlands and forests) are also promising alternatives to peat.
Pot and container cultivation: essential for the future Looking at trends, pot and container cultivation will continue to play a significant role in the future. This form of cultivation will evolve in response to market demand and the need for sustainability in the industry. All the ingredients for a successful future are present. It is up to the industry to handle these ingredients smartly, effectively, and efficiently. Based on past performance, we can trust that they will succeed!
What do our participants think?
Gerrit Tessemaker of De Buurte Nurseries, Oene, heads a nursery specialising in
De Buurte Kwekerijen
Vivai Guagno
evergreen garden plants and hedge plants. The company grows and sells a wide range of plants to professional parties like garden centres, landscapers, and wholesalers both domestically and internationally. The nursery spans 245 hectares across four locations: Oene, Heerde, Uddel, and Twello. Thirty dedicated employees work full-time, with additional flex workers during peak periods. “We try to grow our products as profitably as possible,” says Gerrit. “We’ve made several smart economic choices. Most of our machinery and rolling stock are owned. We also adapt based on market conditions. By mechanising and minimising manual labour—since labour is costly and hard to find—we strive to keep costs low.” Consequently, the company has not yet adopted a drip irrigation system. Gerrit explains: “We’re in a wildlife-rich area, which is nice, but if you discover that rabbits have bitten through your drip lines, your plants will be dried out.” For now, irrigation is still done using reels when necessary.
Regarding sustainability, Gerrit says: “Growing a good plant starts with a good start. We use stable manure and green manure. Weeding is done with a hoe or a weeding harrow. Where necessary, we use low-volume spraying to minimise the use of chemicals. We’re also affiliated with MPS. As for organic farming; transitioning requires a market demand, and we haven’t seen enough of that demand from our customers yet. But if that becomes the demand, we’ll have to adapt.” Gerrit doesn’t see a complete shift to pot cultivation for their crops, primarily because of the higher cost of pot-grown plants and the fact that
open-field plants are simply ‘heavier/ more robust.’
“A trend we do see continuing,” adds Gerrit, “is that customers are requesting smaller batches more frequently to keep fresher stock at garden centres.”
The Italian nursery Vivai Guagno grows plants in pots and containers as well as in open soil. Root balls have been a significant part of the business, but container growing has expanded significantly. Gloria Guagno sees year-round planting as a major advantage of container cultivation. “It mitigates the effects of shorter winters and allows customers to optimise their leisure time. It also offers logistical benefits, as containers simplify order management for small quantities and uncertain loading dates.”
The company’s headquarters are in Santa Giustina in Colle (Padova), where forest plants have been produced in containers for 40 years. Here, seeds are started and then grown in smaller containers (up to CLT10). To complement their forestry tradition, Vivai Guagno offers a refreshed assortment of young trees intended for further propagation or urban reforestation. Over time, the range has expanded to include ornamental species and grafted plants. In their second nursery in Comacchio (Ferrara), the production of CLT15 to CLT1500 now covers 30 hectares. Here, multi-stemmed trees, trees, and shrubs are grown to complete their assortment.
“Watering is usually done via drip irrigation and sprinklers for smaller pots,” says Gloria. “Systems have been chosen to minimise water loss, and further investments in modernising less efficient plants are planned. The use of crop
protection products is limited, as most cultivated species are resistant to pests, and we prefer to grow organically.”
Heyeveld Nursery, based in As, Belgium, was founded in the 1930s when Mathijs Peters and his wife Jeanne Deville started growing and trading vegetable plants. About three decades later, their sons transitioned the business to growing garden plants and landscaping. Today, the company is led by Leon Peters and Jan Nijs, the latter being the first non-family member in management. Heyeveld Nursery now grows hardy garden plants in various pot sizes and in open soil on about 100 hectares. Their range includes hedge and grafted conifers, various shrubs, and grasses. Their clients include wholesalers, exporters, garden and plant centres, and other tree nurseries.
Sustainability and environmental care are important to the company. That is why they have conducted a carbon footprint assessment, a measure of total emissions. Emissions include various greenhouse gases such as methane, F-gases, and CO2. As agreed upon in the Paris Climate Agreement, the European Union aims to be climate neutral by 2050, meaning no net greenhouse gas emissions. “Based on our carbon footprint results, we have started reducing our diesel consumption and using biodiesel as much as possible,” says Jan Nijs. “We also changed our office heating system to reduce gas usage.”
Irrigation is a focus at Heyeveld Nursery. Drip irrigation is used for open-soil cultivation, and for pot and container cultivation, both drip and overhead irrigation are used, with all unused water being neatly returned to large water containers to avoid waste. Jan Nijs: “We are not currently considering transitioning to organic farming, but we are gradually moving towards more sustainability. This includes reducing the use of crop protection products and further advancing automation and mechanisation.” The company recently introduced an additional overhead tractor and a pruning machine for shrubs and bulbs. “Technology continues to advance,” says Jan, “I mainly see ongoing improvements to existing technology rather than major changes. Regarding cultivation, this year has shown again that open-soil cultivation is not straightforward due to climate changes and extreme weather conditions. Growing in pots is easier and has the added advantage of year-round availability.”
Vivai Guagno
Vivai Guagno
BEE MORTALITY RATE REMAINS HIGH, BUT NOT DUE TO NEONICS
This past winter, the mortality rate among honeybees was again significant. During the initial inspections of beehives, beekeepers found that many colonies had died or were severely weakened. There are various causes for this, and further research is certainly needed. However, it is already clear that the high bee mortality rate this time is not caused by neonics. But neonics are not the only enemies bees face. Several other factors can weaken a bee colony. Let’s explore some of these causes.
But first... let’s talk about the honeybee
The honeybee (Apis mellifera) forms large colonies led by a single queen, supported by worker bees (female) and drones (male). Honeybees are kept in hives and can grow to a population of over 50.000 during the summer. They are crucial pollinators of flowering plants and indispensable for the ecosystem and agriculture.
In our region, beekeepers primarily keep two breeds: Carnica bees and Buckfast bees. Both are gentle during hive inspections. The beekeeper’s job is to care for the bees and prevent swarming. In a good honey flow year, the beekeeper is rewarded with delicious honey.
There are approximately 360 species of wild bees in the Netherlands and Belgium, which mainly live solitary lives. They too are important for the pollination of flowering plants. However, this pollination is at risk due to the severe bee mortality we are experiencing, caused by various factors.
CAUSE 1: the impact of the harmful Varroa mite
The Varroa mite is one of the most severe challenges for modern beekeeping. The ectoparasite, scientifically known as
Varroa destructor, causes the Varroa mite disease (varroatosis) in bees. This exotic parasite poses a significant threat to the European honeybee. The Varroa mite originated in Asia and was first discovered in the Netherlands in 1983.
Varroa mites weaken bees and can transmit viral diseases, leading to high winter mortality. Beekeepers combat this harmful mite using oxalic acid, formic acid, or variants of those products. Additionally, there are on-going trials with brood restriction methods to remove
the mites along with the infested brood.
CAUSE 2: limited food supply Bees need good host plants for both nectar and pollen. Various databases indicate the value per plant species. Not every flowering plant is valuable to bees. While there is plenty in bloom during spring and summer, early spring and autumn offer very few good forage plants. Native species alone are not sufficient. In gardens, we can use the best bee-friendly plants available from our growers’ wide assortment. Bees perceive the colour purple better than other colours. So it makes sense that the best bee plants often have purple flowers, such as lavender (Lavandula), ornamental onions (Allium), butterfly bush (Buddleja), and catnip (Nepeta faassenii).
CAUSE 3: weather conditions
Weather also greatly influences bee flight behaviour. A wet, cold spring and/or a wet summer have significant consequences. Bees can barely fly in bad weather, and many trees and shrubs bloom irregularly or too briefly. This severely limits forage availability and directly impacts the bee population. Additionally, it can lead to bees entering winter significantly weaker, reducing their chances of survival.
CAUSE 4: pollution
In our modern society, we frequently deal with pollution. We use many chemicals that affect our health, as well as the health of our flora and fauna. Some of these substances remain unnoticed by the general media, such as dioxins, PCBs, PFOS, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury. However, these substances can be found in high concentrations in certain
Osmanthus aquifolium
Honeybee on Prunus
areas and are known to be harmful. The media and various environmental organisations often portray crop protection as the main culprit. While it is clear that crop protection should be used judiciously and its impact should not be downplayed, our growers do possess sufficient expertise. They all must undergo annual training to maintain their spraying or phytosanitary licenses.
A few years ago, one of the potential causes of bee mortality was attributed to so-called neonics (neonicotinoids). Since 2013, restrictions have been in place in Europe, and since 2018, there has been a total ban on their use. It’s now been six years, and winter bee mortality remains alarmingly high, indicating that the influence of neonics might not have been as significant as once thought.
CAUSE 5: invasive Asian hornet
This relatively new invasive species is a voracious predator that can devastate entire bee colonies. In recent years, the Asian hornet has been spreading rapidly and must be controlled. This predator could become the biggest threat to our honeybees in the future. The Asian hornet is now included on the EU list of invasive alien species, meaning that within the European Union, measures are agreed upon to prevent the spread of such species as much as possible.
Bee mortality remains alarmingly high
The increasing bee mortality rate remains a serious concern. Although winter mortality of honeybees occurs annually, it can be problematic in some years due to various causes, often involving a combination of factors. Proper care and disease management are crucial to mitigate the effects as much as possible. Ensuring sufficient forage plants throughout the entire flight period is also essential. It’s recommended to use as many plants as possible that attract bees and provide ample pollen and nectar. For good advice and a wide selection of suitable plants, you can, of course, turn to the growers at the GrootGroenPlus trade fair. And if you encounter the Asian hornet, please alarm beekeepers, waarneming.nl or vespawatch.be.
We asked several GrootGroenPlus participants for their insights: Didier Hermans of Herplant BV and BetterBuxus®, both participants at trade fair GrootGroenPlus, has been keeping bees at his tree nursery for years, which do produce great honey. Didier says: “Boxwood (Buxus) is an excellent bee plant, as is Prunus. Contrary to claims made in the media, that boxwood doesn’t contribute to biodiversity and is just an ordinary garden plant, boxwood is actually a great bee plant! Naturally grown and minimally pruned boxwood blooms annually and is visited by both honeybees and various wild bees and
continues: “Judicious use of crop protection does not lead to increased bee mortality. Ornamental growers play a crucial role in providing forage plants for bees due to their knowledge of plant varieties.”
Laura Bruni from Tuscany Growers, a participant at the GrootGroenPlus trade fair, shared her views. Tuscany Growers cultivates ornamental outdoor plants. The nurseries are located in Pistoia, within the beautiful region of Tuscany in Italy. VIVAI PIANTE BIAGINI and VIVAI PIANTE MASETTI SABINO have contributed to Pistoia’s reputation as the capital of European greenery. Laura tells KwekersBode: “Bees are essential for life: without bees, plants cannot survive and reproduce. We must do everything we can to protect our world and the bees, so BE BEEFRIENDLY!!!” She adds: “Good bee plants include Lagerstroemia indica and Osmanthus aquifolium.”
Ad van Heesbeen from ASRA Plant B.V., known for its brand Sense of Nature and a participant at the trade fair, discussed bee mortality. “As tree growers, we are at the forefront of solving the bees’ food problem. Tree nurseries grow plants that can be a great source of food for bees, for use by consumers, in commercial landscaping, and in government and municipal plantings,” says Ad. He continues: “Everyone can contribute to feeding the bees, even if you only have a balcony! Public green spaces can also be improved significantly. Consider the grassy verges and off-ramps of major roads; these areas could be filled with woodland and hedge plants, perennials, etc. There is plenty of choice.” ASRA Plant grows plants that are highly favoured by bees and bumblebees, such as the Stokesia with its blue-purple flower. These are available at garden centres across Europe and, by planting them in private gardens, they help provide food for the bees.
Long story short: the honeybee
Honeybees are commonly found in large numbers and are valued for their role as pollinators of many plant species, including fruit trees. Additionally, the honeybee is a key provider of various natural products such as honey, beeswax, royal jelly, and propolis.
Solitary or wild bees, along with bumblebees and honeybees, form the superfamily Apoidea s.l. In the Netherlands, about 350 species exist, including the following genera: silk bees, sweat bees, sand bees, mason bees, and leafcutter bees. While honeybees and a few bumblebee species have a social lifestyle, solitary bees do everything alone: making a nest, foraging for food, and laying eggs. Sometimes, nests that are close together can form a colony, but this is not always the case. It is also possible for bees to use the same entrance for their nests (communal nesting), but this depends on the species. Solitary bees typically only live a few weeks, with their offspring overwintering as larvae, pupae, or adult insects (imago) after metamorphosis.
Honey is a natural, sweet, liquid substance created when honeybees and/or honey ants collect nectar from flowers and convert it. The nectar is transformed into honey through the addition of enzymes and thickening by evaporation. Local honey is often recommended because it contains pollen from nearby plants. This local exposure could help the body get used to the pollen you are allergic to. Preferably choose local honey from Dutch sources if you live in the Netherlands and suffer from pollen allergies.
Osmanthus aquifolium
Stokesia (ASRA Plant BV)
GREEN: A PROMISING COLOUR
Polish nursery stock industry at a glance
The present situation of the Polish ornamental nursery stock industry can be briefly described as “promising but not quite predictable”. As in other countries, the extraordinary boom in the green industry triggered by the pandemic and lockdowns has weakened, but it also created new customers. Nevertheless, it’s time for more balanced operations and for overcoming challenges connected with the economy and the war in the neighbourhood.
A bit of recent history - with impact on the present situation
After the introduction of the market economy in Poland in 1989, nursery stock production has become one of the fastest growing industries in Polish agriculture. The industry was characterised by a considerable number of smaller scale family businesses. Most of the then existing nurseries were established in the 1970s or 1980s, i.e. during the communist era in Poland (1945-1989). But a few companies had longer traditions, dating back to the period before World War II.
Another boost came with Poland’s accession to the European Union in 2004, which provided an additional expansion
of the industry thanks to the EU funds, easier trading within it and the increasing wealth of domestic customers.
With the “wind of changes” the Polish Nurserymen Association (Związek Szkółkarzy Polskich - ZSzP) was founded by a group of growers in 1991, which has had the significant influence on the development and the state of the industry. The ZSzP founded an international exhibition, became the member of the European Nurserystock Association (ENA), and since 2018 has been representing Poland in the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH).
Current status
According to the latest edition of
International Statistics Flowers and Plants (2023) published by the AIPH, the area of Polish nursery stock production reached 7174 hectares in 2022, with a production value of €324 million. These figures, however, are based on estimates, research and analysis (by Dawid Olewnicki of Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW), not on hard statistics, which are unavailable.
Andrzej Kujawa, the present chairman of the ZSzP admits that nursery stock production remains a strong pillar of Polish horticulture. At the same time, he says that the industry is at a turning point. One of the reasons is the loss of the Russian market, which - according to estimates - generated about 20% of the
ornamental nursery stock export (in case of some nurseries, it even constituted the bulk of their income).
For many years, Russia had been an important customer for some Polish growers of ornamental stock due to the climate, production profile and quality as well as proximity of the market, not to mention easy communication between the Slavic parties involved in the trade relations. The majority of Poland lies in climatic zone 6 (some minor parts - in colder zone 5b and warmer zone 7). Most of the nursery stock produced here is, therefore, hardy enough for Eastern and Northern Europe, where Polish plants are also exported to.
The chairman of the ZSzP adds that, observing the activity of his colleagues who have been diversifying or even completely changing their export destinations, he is rather optimistic. “Their
strategies may differ but it’s the effect that counts,” emphasizes Kujawa, and he declares that the proper profiling of one’s customer is the key to success. It is worth noting that the Eastern export direction was indeed a characteristic feature of the Polish nursery sector, but Poland developed foreign sales to many other destinations, including non-European ones. Around 2010, Polish nursery stock was shipped to about 40 countries, with Germany being one of the main customers. Until now, this number has only increased.
Times are changing Poland remains an important player as a conifer producer. Although the share of deciduous shrubs and trees as well as perennials has been regularly growing and nowadays prevails, conifers are still popular in the country. Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ holds the leading position on the long list of taxa - as an easy, evergreen conifer, suitable for hedges. However, the scale of its production has been declining, primarily due to the loss of the Russian market.
Thuja ‘Smaragd’ has been the flagship product of Poland’s largest ornamental nursery Sutkowscy that owns 300 hectares of land, of which over 160 ha is used for cultivation. Large specimens of Thuja and other conifers grown in the open field feature the typical commodity of this company, which offers deciduous shrubs and trees too. The nursery exports approximately 80% of its stock - all over Europe. Till the ban on exports to Russia, 80% of the total turnover (both from foreign and domestic sales) was generated by ‘Smaragd’. At present Michał Sutkowski, the company’s owner,
stresses that “times are changing”, and he reports a growing demand for other nursery stock from his assortment, also in containers (minimum 3-litre pots), such as Carpinus, Fagus, Hydrangea, Euonymus etc. “In such unpredictable times we have been experiencing since 2020, one has to be as flexible as possible,” says Sutkowski and explains that one of his targets now is the steady development of the standard tree production.
Let’s emphasize that ordinary Thujas sold in considerable quantities are not the hallmark of the Polish nursery industry. In case of conifers, more competitive advantage is provided by grafted stock, such as that shown at GrootGroenPlus 2023. There, nursery A&M Kałuzińscy Polskie Korzenie presented grafted conifers (and magnolias) in containers, while the Multiflora company - grafted liners for further production, with pines being its specialty. There are more companies to offer grafts of wide assortment of species and varieties. Production of perennials has been on the rise. The unprecedented popularity of ornamental grasses in Poland makes them increasingly common not only in gardens, but also in urban green spaces. The offer has been enriched with the cultivars of Polish breeds, eg. awarded Miscanthus sinensis ‘Boucle’ or Festuca ‘Miedzianobrody’ (Sunrise). Many more will be introduced in the future. However, the most successful and internationally recognised Polish breeding program is related to the Clematis. At present, Szczepan Marczyński continues great long traditions of Polish breeding of this genus (eg. Clematis Blue Angel = ‘Błękitny Anioł’ or ‘Warszawska Nike’ by
S. Franczak) and will come up with more novelties to be added to the list of his own 72 cultivars.
Challenges
The boom in the green industry generated by the pandemic affected in the development of nursery stock production - in terms of surface, number of commodities and revenue. Growers were able to raise prices of their products. The outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022 was another game-changer for the industry. The costs of production rose significantly, as did inflation. The average annual inflation rate in Poland in 2023 was 11.4%.
Thus, the economic situation of the average customer in Poland worsened and his or her purchasing power decreased. In view of that, growers are currently reluctant to increase prices of nursery stock on the domestic market, though the economic calculation would suggest doing so.
Above all, labour costs and labour shortage have become the greatest burden for nurserymen. The populist government that was in power in Poland between 2015 and 2023 regularly increased the statutory minimum salary. In industries such as nursery stock production, which requires a
lot of manual work, that difficulty was exacerbated by the exit of military-age Ukrainian men after February 2022, who before that would often work at Polish horticultural farms.
As a consequence, the development of the scale of production in Poland, noted in the last couple of years, has stopped. Some other challenges the nurserymen mention are:
- the unpredictable climate conditions, with dangerous extremes;
- new pests and diseases “imported” with the stock from abroad or moving northwards as the result of global warming;
- decreasing number of efficient plant protection chemicals that are available on the EU market;
- restrictions, such as the ban on the use of peat in production or on export markets.
This season
Regarding the present year, Polish nurserymen who sell to garden centre owners consider the beginning of the season good or very good, enhanced by warm weather in February and the overall tendency to get orders earlier. In terms of investors’ demand, the observed slowdown in the real estate market and limited new individual investments in Poland do not seem to have halted the strong interest in plants here.
“The COVID years have helped get a fair-sized new group of customers in the habit of taking care of the garden or particular about the greenery around them,” explains Jakub Kurowski, co-owner of the 3-generation Kurowscy nursery. He hopes that the continuation of the 2024 season will be as good as its start in the early Spring.
Michał Sutkowski agrees, and argues that the Polish ornamental nursery stock industry is doing well in comparison to many other industries. He predicts that there is no reason for the current season to be worse than the previous one.
As Project leader Process optimisation at Rijk Zwaan, you are able to improve the processes in Fijnaart with your great ideas. You will lead the improvement projects, and together, we work on the vegetables of tomorrow!
Contribute to the vegetables of tomorrow! Send us your application via: www.rijkzwaancareers.com/vacature
We are looking for: Fulltime all-round tree nursery
Wij zijn op zoek naar: Fulltime allround medewerk(st)er boomkwekerij
We grow woodland and hedge plants in open soil, from sowing/cutting to 1- and 2-year old plants.
Wij kweken bos en Haagplantsoen in de volle grond, van zaaien/stekken tot 1 en 2 jarige verplanten planten.
We also offer ornamental shrubs and roses in pots for the visual and construction market.
Daarnaast hebben we ook nog sierheesters en rozen in pot voor onder andere de visuele en aanleg markt.
We offer you:
Wij bieden je:
• Loon en arbeidsvoorwaarden conform CAO
• Salary and employment conditions in accordance with open cultivation collective agreement
• Afwisselend werk
• Varied work
• Mogelijkheid tot opleidingen
• Training opportunities
• Fijne werksfeer
• Great atmosphere at work
So if you love to watch a plant go from a seedling or cutting to a flowering plant, and are you interested, please contact:
Dus vindt/lijkt je het leuk om een plant te zien groeien en bloeien vanaf zaadje of stekje en heb je interesse, of voor meer info:
De Noordhoek vaste planten BV produces well over 2,500 types of perennials for multiple buyers in the Netherlands and Belgium. The nursery is established in Schijf.
JOB OPENING WAREHOUSE STAFF M/F (38 HOURS)
You are responsible for:
• Preparing orders;
• Checking the quality;
• Loading/unloading orders from customers and suppliers.
Outside of our delivery season, these activities can be alternated with producing plants and other cultivation activities.
Does this job opening appeal to you?
Please contact us by sending an e-mail to kantoor@noordhoekschijf.nl. We are looking forward to your letter, motivation and up-to-date resume.
Your profile:
• Works neat and accurately;
• Loves to be proactive;
• Has fluent Dutch oral and writing skills;
• A team player who is also autonomous;
• Has a forklift license or is willing to get it (paid for by us);
• Is willing to work extra in March, April, and May;
You will be working in a nice, informal working environment, in a close-knit team. Knowledge of plants is not required, because we will give you ample opportunities to get to know a lot of plants!
If you have any questions about this job opening, please e-mail us at kantoor@noordhoekschijf.nl or call us at +31 (0)165-551666.
• Sustainable cultivation of plants in pot/container
• Order picking with a forklift
• Motivated team of 3-4 colleagues
• Top quality of growing trees and plants
• Grubbing up and delivery of trees and plants
• Enthusiastic team
JOB OPENING
Warehouse employee Zundert
40 hours - fulltime
Laxsjon Plants is an international wholesaler that specialises in plants and tree nursery products. To expand our dynamic team and our activities, we are looking for a new and enthusiastic colleague. In this young, dynamic, fast-growing company, you will make sure that our clients are served optimal, with high-level quality and service. You will also maintain good relationships with our suppliers.
AS WAREHOUSE EMPLOYEE AT LAXSJON PLANTS:
• you will rate the quality of plant and tree nursery products
• you will process the daily stream of goods in an efficient, thorough way
• you will handle all checks of the orders
• you will make sure that orders are completed in time, and loaded swiftly
• you will process stock and prepare those for our clients
• you know how to operate a forklift and have a forklift certificate or are willing to get one
• it would be nice if you know a bit about plants and tree nurseries
• you work in a small, nice team from our location in Zundert
Do you want to be a part of our company and based on the prerequisites mentioned above, feel that you are a great candidate? We’d love to meet you!
Send your motivation and resume to loek@laxsjonplants.com For questions, please contact Loek Jochems +31 (0) 6 22 82 41 22.
We’d love to welcome you as our colleague!
COLOURS IN THE TREE NURSERY: why certain colours do not exist in plants
Anyone who takes a look at an average tree nursery can’t miss the overwhelming presence of green. Green is the signature colour of the nursery stock industry. It’s no coincidence that the largest industry-specific trade fair is called GrootGROENPlus (‘Groen’ being Dutch for GREEN). But why is that? Why is green the predominant colour found in nature? Why can’t we brighten up our gardens with a beautiful blue Ginkgo? And what possibilities do we have for creating beautiful, colourful plants? We delved into these questions.
How do plants get their colour?
In the chloroplasts of plants, the substance chlorophyll can be found. This pigment is primarily responsible for absorbing light energy and converting it into nutrients through photosynthesis, which is the process by which sunlight stimulates plant growth. Chlorophyll absorbs blue and red light from the sun but hardly any green light. This ‘leftover’ green light is what gives plants their predominantly green appearance. Of course, chlorophyll is not the only pigment in plants. We also know of xanthophylls and flavonoids. Xanthophylls are yellow pigments found in plants that help absorb light energy. They also play a role in protecting plant cells from harmful UV radiation. Flavonoids are a group of pigments responsible for the colours of flowers and fruits. They help attract pollinators and protect plant cells from UV damage, which can result in a variety of colours.
You might have even come across silver-coloured plants. These are not actually coloured by silver pigment; their silvery sheen is caused by fine hairs that reflect light. This is often seen in shade plants that don’t receive direct light. If they do unexpectedly get direct light, the silver hairs help reflect it to other plants, preventing the leaves from burning.
Adjusting to the surroundings While having a specific colour may not seem crucial for plants, absorbing light certainly is. And this is closely related to a plant’s colour. But let’s take a step back: factors that influence light absorption in plants include light intensity and quality, the presence of other pigments, and the plant’s overall health. Plants have developed various colours to adapt to their environment and to communicate with other organisms. For instance, flowers have evolved bright colours to attract pollinators, while leaves
have adopted a green hue as an efficient way to absorb sunlight for photosynthesis. Environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, humidity, and soil composition can all affect a plant’s colour. Plants exposed to high light intensity may develop a darker green colour to protect themselves from excessive light energy. Conversely, plants exposed to cold temperatures might turn purple as a stress response. Additionally, other environmental factors like soil composition and nutrient levels can also influence the colour of plants.
A garden with a personality, thanks to the Colour Circle But how do you creatively work with different colours in a garden? How do you bring it to life and add personality without overlooking the practical functions of various colours? The Flower Garden of Appeltern (Bloementuin van Appeltern) provides an excellent example with its Colour Circle. This circle comprises twelve colours: six warm colours and six cool colours. Warm colours range from red and gold to orange and evoke warm elements like the sun or fire. Cool colours, such as blue, green, and magenta, are the shades of winter and night, reminding us of cool things like water or grass. The principle of the colour circle is based on the three primary colours: red, blue, and yellow. When these colours are mixed, they form the secondary colours: orange, purple, and green. Beyond the primary and secondary colours in the circle, there are also tertiary colours. These arise from mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour. Examples include yellow-orange, red-violet, and yellow-green.
Within the plant world, there is a unique colour system. All effects depend on the surrounding colours and light. Flowers with warm colours give a different effect than those with cool colours. In the garden, green foliage helps to connect all the plants, creating a cohesive environment.
The other colours from the colour circle add individual character to the garden. Soft pastel colours provide a serene look, while bright colours make your garden lively and dynamic.
Autumn colours
Each season can introduce different colour variations in the garden, especially during autumn. In autumn, the leaves of trees and shrubs change colour, often resulting in a spectacular burst of hues. As mentioned earlier, chlorophyll, one of the primary substances, is crucial in summer for photosynthesis, producing sugars and starch using sunlight and carbon dioxide. During high temperatures, this green pigment is continually produced. However, as temperatures drop in autumn, the production of chlorophyll ceases. The green pigment in the leaves diminishes, allowing other pigments, previously hidden, to become more prominent. Before the leaves eventually fall off the trees, the remaining chlorophyll is withdrawn from the leaves and stored in the branches. This makes the remaining pigments visible, creating a beautiful autumn palette. Carotene gives the leaves their orange colour, xanthophyll imparts yellow, anthocyanin provides red, and tannins give a brown tint.
No black flowers
Yet, we don’t see all colours in the garden. If you look closely, you’ll see that black is always missing. Despite the efforts of breeders, there’s no actual black pigment to work with. While there are some flowers referred to as ‘black’, they aren’t genuinely black. They lack true black pigment and are usually very dark shades of purple, brown, or even red. And perhaps, up to now, there hasn’t
Sander van Vliet
Hydrangea serr. Daredevil (Van Vliet New Plants)
been a real need for it. The colours that naturally occur often create their own ‘special effect’. For instance, weather presenter Helga van Leur once pointed out the Euonymus, commonly known as the spindle tree. When its purplish-pink seed capsules split open, the bright yellow berries inside stand out strikingly. So strikingly, in fact, that Vincent van Gogh used a similar technique in his painting ‘Café Terrace at Night’, where he painted the stars in the sky purple to make the yellow of the café terrace appear even warmer and more vibrant. Just as the yellow berries become more attractive to birds against the purple background, art lovers tend to linger a bit longer in front of this painting. The colours in nature - including greenexist for a reason.
What do our particpants think?
Jelle Havermans of About Plants has a strong opinion on this: “Only genuinely new innovations are truly interesting. A small adjustment in colour or shape can certainly be an improvement, but in such cases, it’s essential to retire the old variety from the market. A true innovation, one that significantly differs from existing types in terms of colour, leaf shape, growth habit, or resistance, often performs well in the market initially. However, it’s crucial to observe how the plant actually fares over the following years in gardens, on balconies, or in public green spaces,” says Jelle. “It’s about making choices,” Jelle continues. “Making the right choices as a grower or trader is vital, but not always easy given the vast diversity within any given range. As a grower, you can’t produce everything. I would advise: choose a particular direction and stick to it. Moreover, there’s an even more important consideration today; can the innovation be cultivated responsibly, or ideally, without the use of pesticides?”
work. These objectives can vary depending on the plants we are working with: flower colour and size, plant shape, flowering in the first year of cultivation, pot production, etc.
Minier Professional Solutions, from Beaufort and Anjou (F) was founded in 1838, in the Anjou, which is also known as ‘the garden of France’. Minier has expanded its cultivated area to over 300 hectares, which includes an exceptional plant collection that is invaluable for creating new varieties. The mild climate, the warm summers, and the fertile silt from the river Loire provide ideal conditions for
producing hardy and frost-resistant plants. Minier offers a vast selection of trees, fruit trees, shrubs, conifers, climbers, bamboos, and grasses. Their specialities include Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Magnolia, Syringa, and Wisteria. Each year, 4 million shaped plants and 10 million young plants are shipped across Europe, as well as to the United States, South Africa, and Japan.
The importance of selection
“Since humans settled and agriculture began, production has improved through the selection of species and clones,” says Olivier Pallussière. “We have seen the same phenomenon for centuries in horticulture. Everyone values the innovation level of a plant according to their own criteria: a grower is attracted by vegetative qualities or disease resistance, while the end customer is primarily drawn to attractive shape or colour. Therefore, it is important to establish a research focus when conducting hybridisation and selection
Throughout the selection process, these numerous criteria can be taken into account to define a new plant, and they should be compared with existing varieties to maintain a critical perspective. It is important to continually add new varieties to our range to enhance the quality and aesthetics of our plants and thus stimulate the market.
“And,” Olivier Pallussière adds, “let’s not forget that customers’ first question is always the same: ‘What’s new?’”
Van Vliet New Plants from Stroe, is specialised in the introduction, exploitation, and management of new plant species protected by plant breeders’ rights. When a grower is sufficiently convinced of the potential of their new variety, they have the option to bring it to market through a specialised
company like Van Vliet New Plants. After concluding a trial agreement, a number of plants are distributed to specialised growers within the network. Over a specified period (usually 2 years), these growers test the plant for its qualities to provide a thorough assessment. If the plant performs well during the trial period, they can apply for plant breeders’ rights. This can be done on a country-by-country basis, per continent (such as Europe), or globally. It must be demonstrated that the plant meets all requirements regarding novelty, distinctiveness, uniformity, and stability.
Once a new cultivar is launched, it is crucial to continuously manage and promote it. “There’s no point flooding the market with novelties,” says Sander van Vliet. “It should be about innovations that genuinely contribute to the assortment. Many minor mutations are often chance discoveries, and careful consideration is needed to determine if the market is interested in that mutation. Because even with novelties, it’s about responding to market interest. A completely new colour is certainly interesting, but factors like disease resistance, low maintenance, and compact growth habits are also important considerations.”
On behalf
Erik Bastiaensen, member of the board
Minier Professional Solutions (Hortival Diffusion)
BUSINESS CENTRE TREEPORT (BCT) PUTS GREEN ON DISPLAY
Impressions: Joyce Oomen Blooming Business B.V.
With great, sustainable buildings and spacious connecting roads, the set-up of Business Centre Treeport (BCT) is created based on a clear vision. Yet, the green part still seems to be a bit forgotten. Seems, since a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.
It will approximately take two to three years before the greenery of the BCT terrain - at the Dutch side this is 54 hectares - will be finished completely. That has to do with a few construction works that have not been completed yet. BCT wants to prevent that the greenery will be damaged by the future construction works. And, before the planting will start, the soil will be inspected, as recommended by the work group Agro biodiversity from Coöperatieve Vereniging Treeport. To achieve the best results, the circumstances must be exactly right. Good soil and good cultivation do take time. Planting everything may look nice, but the green will not last. Every company that establishes itself at BCT, will have to provide some greenery.
Biodiversity
The work group Agro biodiversity specialises in planning and consultancy. This work group advises on the greenery that has been anchored into the zoning
plan. Biodiversity is the keyword when it comes to creating a green and natural area of 12 hectares at the BCT terrain. In the future, this area will include wadis, trees, trails, perennials, and mixtures of flowers and herbs. There is also space for a so-called seed orchard, a location with trees and plants that will supply seeds. Two parts of that seed orchard are already planted. This also applies to a buffer zone alongside the ditches.
Wadi
The creation of other parts requires more patience, such as a wadi of no less than two hectares. That area will get the appearance of a park, and its design will focus on biodiversity and liveability. For children, a barefoot path will be created, and there will be space to have a pick-nick. The perfect place to walk or cycle in a natural setting. Some practical aspects also play a part. The business
terrain must function optimally. That means that movements of for example pedestrians, bicyclists, and freight traffic must be monitored.
Wider look
‘Last but not least’, it has been decided that the greenery of the BCT should also function as a showcase for the industry, which shows the beauty of combined disciplines such as trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials. At the same time, the greenery should make sure that the tree nursery industry starts to look at the industry as a whole, and not just
at their own products. Three clusterstrees, hedges, and flowers - must merge together in the greenery, which should result in a fertile habitat for insects. All that green will be visible in the entire main axis of the BCT. The outside terrain of knowledge and research centre ROOTZ will also be decorated with functional green.
