Moorland Seedlings Nursery – Expect Quality and Healthy Seedlings

Moorland Seedlings Nursery –

Expect Quality and Healthy Seedlings

Petunia seedlings grown for Garden Supply centres.

The enormous greenhouse complex of Moorland Seedlings near Jeffreys Bay.

As long as food security remains important, a seedling nursery will remain important.

The two most serious situations South

Africa is faced with are the poor standing of the economy and the

Covid-19 pandemic which places even more pressure on the economy.

Covid-19, ironically, underscored the importance of food security and agriculture. The all-importance of Agriculture as an essential service per se, was highlighted during all levels of restrictions on movement during the pandemic. This again emphasized the importance of food production to the nation. The supply of affordable and quality seedlings is the foundation of trustworthy food production by appropriate producers in the different sectors. As far as citrus is concerned, the exports and the earnings of foreign currency and the importance of this to the South African economy, featured much stronger. For these reasons Rian Moore, Managing Director of Moorland Seedlings is convinced of their ongoing, all-important role being part of the Seedling Growers South Africa industry. Moorland Seedlings supply mostly to producers in South Africa. Seedlings grown at Moorland Seedlings are mostly (about 90%) for open land farmers. Around eighty million seedlings are grown by Moorland Seedlings per annum. Under the leadership of Rian Moore, Moorland Seedlings was started as a small nursery in 1997 but has progressed to become a major role player in the seedling industry in South Africa today. Moorland Seedlings produces the full spectrum of vegetable seedlings, including production of carrot and onion seedlings for seed production. Tobacco seedlings are also produced for the Eastern and Southern Cape Regions. This important seedling grower in the South Eastern Cape also grows citrus trees for different Provinces. Moorland Seedlings does business with any registered seed supplier which meets the right requirements. Vegetable or greens producers may suggest which seed they would like seedlings to be grown from, but practically speaking, larger growers are beforehand consulted over their requirements for specific seed, for specific production requirements and of course, that of their market. Behind the curtain (in a matter of speaking) Production Protocols are followed most strictly. Management holds

tight control over this process. Each role player at the Moorland Seedlings Nursery has an important work, therefore dedication and responsible work attitude is of essence. These qualities must be inherent in each worker at Moorland Seedlings nursery. There are seasonal patterns of seedling growing in different sections of the production unit. Moorland Seedlings services a diverse market which includes vegetables, flowers and fruit. Practically, they grow seedlings year-round. Seed companies prefer to execute trials on new seed varieties on own Trial plots where synchronized plantings are done. The organize Information Open Days to show producers results of new varieties. Seedling growers are being invited as well and are able to advise clients accordingly. Rijk Zwaan, a prominent seed supplier with a wide farmer support system in Africa, has Moorland Seedlings grow their Sweet Palermo pepper seedlings for producers in South Africa. This relatively new product requires the technical and precision seedling growing that Moorland Seedlings is known for. The Covid-19 pandemic caused serious effect on seed imports.

Assistants loading young citrus trees in a truck at Moorland Seedlings. Rian Moore, Managing Director of Moorland Seedlings.

Currently, many parts of the Eastern

Cape experience severe drought.

The Kouga dam (128,7m2 capacity) has only 4.6% water. Production costs escalated abnormally an especially grow media import costs because of shortage of marine freight. Diversification helps to solve the problem, but it is not possible for all producers.

In conclusion, seedlings grown by an expert remain the most cost effective way of growing vegetables, flowers, fruit and greens by an undercover farmer. The high seed price of good quality seed, the labour intensiveness and the precision to grow seedling yourself, with the possibility of losing seedlings along the way, can be avoided. By calling an expert like Rian Moore or one of the Seedling Growers of South Africa members and order quality seedlings, permits the vegetable, greens, flower or fruit producer to devote his efforts on what he does best; focus on sustainable food production for the nation. JS