GREENHOUSE THE COMMERCIAL GROWER - APRIL 2018 - Hort News
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1
APRIL 2018
THE COMMERCIAL
GREENHOUSE GROWER
N U M B E R 1 F O R P R O T E C T E D C R O P G R O W E R S
PO LY TU NNEL PRIMROSE IP M REV IEW:
F I LMS REVIEW 2018 G ROW L IGH T S
THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018 www.greenhousegrower.co.uk
2
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www.greenhousegrower.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1294 842 000 THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018
APRIL 2018 • 3
t CONTENTS COMMENT
News 4-7 Technology means everything to the horticultural sector throughout the globe
Show Review 8-9 and certainly in the UK. It is innovation that is driving a more efficient and
effective sector and developments in automation have created a platform for
Variety Update 10-11
growers to seek further advancements in the future.
Grower Update 12-13
Films 14-17 Just before The Commercial Greenhouse Grower went to press, Wageningen
University announced the launch of a new international competition to boost
HortiContact Show 18-20
crop production using artificial intelligence and autonomous glasshouses.
Lighting 21-24 Wageningen says that with a rising global population, it is necessary to
Pollination 25-28 explore more technological breakthroughs that can help feed more people,
HortiContact Tour 28-30 deliver greater food security and create more food with fewer resources.
Classified 31 The challenge is open to multi-discipline teams from all over the world to take
part. The chosen finalists will then run their own full crops in glasshouses
Front cover - Passion a new Primrose under controlled conditions. Wageningen says that production in glasshouses
novelty variety. • See page 10 is on average 10 times higher than in open fields and uses much less water.
THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER
IS PUBLISHED BY
Recent research by the university has shown that in highly controlled
glasshouses only five litres of water is used to produce 1kg of tomatoes,
compared to 40 litres if they were grown in open-field production.
More importantly perhaps, it goes on to say that more glasshouses and
automation will be needed at a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult
to find enough skilled workers. Automation, IT and artificial intelligence will
be required to support growers to make complex decisions as glasshouses
become more advanced.
LION HOUSE, CHURCH STREET,
MAIDSTONE, KENT ME14 1EN
But what does all this tell us? It means that the horticulture and farming
TEL: 01622 695656
sector is rapidly becoming one of the most technologically advanced
FAX: 01622 663733
industries in the world. The challenge now is to see what the UK can learn
e-mail: green@actpub.co.uk
from all this global development and more importantly how all this advanced
technology can be made affordable for all. UK growers may feel some of this
SUBSCRIPTION RATES Although every effort
technology is out of reach, but the truth is, developments are just around the
TWELVE ISSUES is made to ensure the
Inland UK £40 accuracy and readability corner for all.
Air Mail:Europe £50 of material published,
Middle East/USA/Canada £60 the publishers and their
Far East/Australia/ agents can accept no
New Zealand £70 responsibility for claims The Commercial Greenhouse Grower is a member of the Independent Press
and opinions expressed Standards Organisation. We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are
ISSN 1355-4301 by contributors, committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have
manufacturers or not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please write to the editor
advertisers. at the address above. If you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’
Code, visit: www.ipso.co.uk
A wide selection of young plants
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4 • NEWS
employment too, which will help recruit and retain staff.”
LATEST She said the main drivers for the venture were the
uncertainty regarding what might happen to imported
NEWS
supplies post-Brexit and the quality of imported tomatoes
during the winter. “There is a good market for UK-
produced tomatoes now and customers are starting
to wake up to the issues around post-Brexit sourcing,”
she said. The development will start with an initial 4ha
£30m joint venture tomato block, followed by a further 4ha soon after. As well as the
structure itself the planning permission includes provision
nursery goes ahead for office space, staff facilities, a reservoir, and up to
five bungalows for housing employees. The scheme will
Evesham Vale Growers has won planning permission create up to 100 jobs once completed. “At Holts we are
to build a £30 million, 14.5ha tomato nursery that it now in our fourth year of LED lit production,” said Mrs
will operate in a joint venture with growers R&L Holt. Holt. “The new nursery will be for lit crops using LED
Construction is expected to start by the summer and the interlighting and possibly top lighting as well. “We are also
first crop planted by October. The company is funding the looking at diffuse glass, and possibly installing vertical
investment on land at Rotherdale Farm, which it owns, fans, depending on the results from trials on these already
at Pershore, Worcestershire. It already has an anaerobic under way in one of our other lit glasshouses.” Crop
digester unit and a solar farm on an adjacent site. choice for the new nursery is still to be finalised. Mrs Holt
Evesham Vale Growers is one of the largest horticultural said large-fruited vine types, such as Elegance, and baby
businesses in the West Midlands and enterprises already plum varieties were among those being considered. “It’s
include tomato production as well as growing and down to discussion with Evesham Vale Growers about
supplying other crops such as spring onions, asparagus, market demand and on what we know from experience
fennel and courgettes. R&L Holt, which has three tomato and trials grows well under lights,” she added.
nurseries totalling 8.8ha in the Evesham area, is a major The area of tomatoes in England has been steadily
supplier of tomatoes to Evesham Vale Growers’ packing increasing since it bottomed out 15 years ago, although
and marketing operation. “From our point of view it’s it has plateaued more recently. Eighteen hectares were
a really exciting development, a great opportunity to lost when British Sugar switched to medical cannabis last
extend the area of lit crop and for us to further streamline year, some of the production being replaced by Thanet
production,” said R&L Holt director Laura Holt. “It will Earth’s new 7ha glasshouse which came into crop
mean more opportunities for us to offer year-round last autumn.
Latest fertilser product guide Gall midge warning
Specialist fertiliser supplier Solufeed have produced the
for alstroemeria
latest edition of the Solufeed Product Guide for 2018 that
Defra is urging growers of alstroemeria to be alert to a
focuses on the special needs of professional growers.
potential new pest. The gall midge Contarinia jongi is
In addition to updated sections covering market leading
a new species about which little is known so far. The
water-soluble fertilisers and
midge was reported for the first time in Europe in 2016,
organic products, the new
in glasshouse-grown crops in the Netherlands. Defra
guide features for the first
says statutory action would be taken against findings on
time the rebranded Garlic
planting material and that growers should be aware of,
Barrier range of products
and monitor for, its presence. The pest was also found five
and a special section on iron
years ago in Australia. According to a report by Australian
chelates. All relevant product
scientists, the midge’s yellow larvae feed inside flower
data is supported by a wealth
buds, which subsequently become deformed and later
of general information to
turn necrotic. They say it has been demonstrated that the
assist growers choosing the
pest could be spread in the flower trade.
best product to meet their
requirements.
www.greenhousegrower.co.uk THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018
NEWS • 5
prices but the report’s authors say this would have a
Dutch set sights on ‘negative impact’ on British consumers and would disrupt
post-Brexit tomato market European supply chains, leading to downward pressure
on prices elsewhere in the EU as produce that would
have been exported to Britain looked for new markets.
At the same time as UK tomato production is expanding,
The report predicts that tomato prices in the UK would
with news of Evesham Vale Growers’ plans to build a new
increase by 3% under a soft Brexit and 6% under a hard
nursery, the Dutch industry is predicting that exports to
Brexit by 2025/6, but without directly leading to increased
the UK could rise following a ‘hard Brexit’. In an analysis
UK production. Up to 18,000 tonnes more of tomatoes
published at the end of February, Wageningen UR’s
could be imported by the UK following a soft Brexit,
economic research team modelled the impact on Dutch
while a hard Brexit could lead to imports falling by 23,000
agricultural exports of two possible trade scenarios
tonnes overall. Dutch tomato exports to the UK could
following the UK’s departure from the EU. One was a
buck this trend and increase slightly, by around 3,400
so-called ‘soft Brexit’, where a free trade agreement
tonnes, after a hard Brexit. This is because, the authors
with no tariff barriers is agreed between the UK and the
say, Spanish production and exports to the UK will be
EU; the other assumed no agreement, with trade being
harder hit by wider market pressures in Europe following
managed under international World Trade Organisation
a hard Brexit. ‘The Dutch industry has capacity to price its
rules – dubbed a hard Brexit. It focused on meat and dairy
products more competitively for the UK market which will
products and tomatoes. Last year the UK accounted for
allow Dutch tomato exports to the UK to grow after Brexit
nearly 10% of all Dutch agricultural exports, making it the
even though total imports by the UK are expected to fall,’
country’s third largest export market. ‘Even after Brexit,
says the report. The knock-on effect of Brexit on other EU
the UK will continue to be an important market for the
markets, however, would see Dutch tomato growers losing
Dutch agriculture sector, especially flowers, vegetables
around 1% in production value overall, the report adds.
and fruit,’ say the report’s authors. They believe a soft
Brexit would see trade costs increase by around 5% as
Fargro aquires horticulture
a result of new customs arrangements but the impact
on volumes or values of trade would be negligible. Hard
Brexit, however, would have a significant impact on Dutch
trade with the UK through both tariffs and higher trading
division of Agrovista UK Ltd.
costs. For many commodities, higher prices of imported Fargro Ltd, announced that it has acquired the southern
produce in the UK would lead to higher UK farm-gate Ornamental Horticulture division of Agrovista UK
Limited. The purchase of this division will allow it to
strengthen its position as leader in this market. Area Sales
NFU call to resolve current Managers Malcolm Tickner and Debbie Atkinson will
labour issues
be joining Fargro from Agrovista to maintain continuity
for its customers. “We are delighted to have brought
the acquisition of the southern Ornamental Horticulture
The NFU has called for the government to resolve the division of Agrovista to completion and are looking
current labour issues by the summer to allow people forward to building a relationship with Agrovista’s
from all over the world access to come and work in the customers. Fargro has a reputation for providing market
UK horticultural sector, according to Ali Capper, NFU leading products and expert advice on Ornamental
Board for Horticulture & Potatoes Chairman. She said that Horticulture. We are excited about bringing this expertise
ensuring that farmers and growers are ready to adapt in to a new audience.”, stated Richard Hopkins, Managing
the face of change is vital, particularly for the horticulture Director of Fargro Ltd.
and potatoes industry. “If the Prime Minister is listening,
please can we have some decisions on Brexit, some
clarity on trade and best of all, a new, non-EU SAWS employed a total of 15,208 seasonal workers last year.
scheme and a clear future immigration policy before the Of these, 60% were unable to recruit enough seasonal
summer of 2018, that allows people from all over the workers and 30% couldn’t harvest all their crops as a
world access to come and work in our sector, producing direct result of labour shortages. This lost them a total
healthy nutritious food and health-giving plants and of £2.3m of produce. One possible solution is a move
flowers,” she said. Labour supply is a priority for many in towards more automation and robotics, but although there
the horticulture and potatoes sector. The NFU’s survey of is a great deal of innovation in this field, it is a longer-term
growers revealed that the 282 growers who responded option that needs further research and investment.
THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018 www.greenhousegrower.co.uk
6 • NEWS
Plastic pot recycling Controlled deficit
Plastics manufacturer Aeroplas has introduced a new
irrigation for tomatoes
‘eco-pot’ range of polypropylene pots suitable for local
A three year study has been carried out at the University
authority ‘kerbside recycling’ collections because they
of Seville to reduce the amount of water in cherry tomato
don’t contain the industry standard carbon-black pigment.
crops by more than 50 per cent. The crops maintained
The range has already been trialled by a number of the
their quality (commercial, nutritional and functional) but
company’s customers, including pot plant specialist
there was even an increase in the content of carotenoids.
Double H Nurseries. “We have long believed that plant
The study focussed on two varieties of cherry tomatoes
pots should be included with kerbside collections,” said
as well as nine other types - in both autumn and spring
Aeroplas UK sales manager Alex Everett. The company
cycles - reducing irrigation as much as possible during
has been working with plastics industry recycling
the crops’ most resistant stage and then increasing the
organisation Recoup to look at alternatives to carbon-
water supply as the plants become more sensitive to
black for manufacturing both black and other colours.
stress. Mireia Corell, professor of Agroforestry Sciences
The presence of carbon-black prevents the near-infra-red
in Seville, said: “It’s not about using half the amount of
scanning devices used by plastics recycling factories from
water just like that! You need to carry out a study on the
recognising which type of polymer a material is made
plant’s hydric condition and, when well aware of its needs,
from, meaning it can’t be sent into the correct recycling
you irrigate the crop in an appropriate way at the optimum
process. It’s the reason why black plastics in particular
moment. Growers will benefit from this methodology
have so far not been effectively recycled when they are
which is breaking new ground in the field of hydro-
present in batches of mixed plastics. HTA ornamentals
sustainable products with a reduced consumption of both
committee chairman Geoff Caesar pointed out that most
water and energy. It will also bring added value to the
growers already recycle plastic waste generated on
consumer with more environmentally sustainable produce
nurseries so any move that helps consumers to do the
which has better nutritional qualities.”
same is “a great step in the right direction”.
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www.greenhousegrower.co.uk THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018
NEWS • 7 ‘Neonic’ proposals extend restrictions to protected crop uses A long-awaited new report by the he said. “You could argue for use European Food Standards Agency on ornamentals where there is no (EFSA) on the risks to bees posed intention of planting out – cut flowers, by neonicotinoids could influence houseplants, for example.” The EFSA proposals to extend the current report is based on a review of more restrictions on insect control products than 1,500 published scientific studies that contain them. The proposals and consultations with academics, are due to be discussed by the beekeeping associations, chemical EC’s standing committee on plants, companies and farming organisations, animals, food and feed on March 22 and pesticides experts in member and 23, as this edition of Commercial states. Its report, published at the Greenhouse Grower closed for press. end of February, concludes that ‘most Two neonicotinoid active substances uses of neonicotinoid pesticides are currently approved for use on represent a risk to wild bees and protected crops in the UK, both honeybees.’ It also states: ‘For all the on ornamentals. Three products outdoor uses of these substances, containing imidacloprid have full label there was at least one aspect of the approval for protected ornamentals, assessment indicating a high risk, to control pests such as vine weevil, leading to the conclusion that overall sciarid, aphid and whitefly. Two these neonicotinoids represent a products containing thiamethoxam risk to bees.’ The EC proposals to have EAMU authorisations for use extend the current ban to cover against western flower thrips. Under all outdoor uses of imidacloprid, the current restrictions, introduced thiamethoxam and clothianidin in 2013, these products can only be (which has no current approvals on applied to plants under permanent protected crops in the UK) was due glass or plastic structures; and the to be voted on in December but the treated plants can’t be moved outside vote was postponed, partly because until after they have finished flowering some member states wanted to wait in the year of treatment, or planted for EFSA’s report. The decision of a outside until at least nine months court case brought against the EC after being grown in treated media. by neonicotinoid manufacturers, The European Commission has challenging the legality of the current proposed extending these restrictions restrictions, is also imminent. While to all outdoor uses, and with uses neonicotinoids were on the agenda for protected crops further curtailed, of the standing committee’s March limiting them to crops that spend meeting, Dr Hartfield believes a their entire life within the greenhouse decision is more likely to be made and that are not replanted outside. at its following meeting, in May. NFU senior plant health regulatory “Meanwhile, the NFU is continuing affairs adviser Chris Hartfield says to make the case that even with his understanding is that this could the latest report, which is based in effect rule out the current uses on draft guidance not formally for protected ornamentals. “A strict accepted by European member interpretation would limit use to states, there is still no clear evidence crops that are consumed rather that use of these neonicotinoids has than planted but I can’t think of any caused widespread damage to bee UK uses on protected food crops,” populations,” he said. THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018 www.greenhousegrower.co.uk
8 • SHOW REVIEW
GARDEN PRESS EVENT 2018
No orders are expected from the visitors – numbered only
in hundreds – by the 110 exhibitors at this year’s annual
Garden Press Event. Their reward for taking stand space
is publicity from the writers and broadcasters who came
through late February snow to the Business Design Centre
at Islington. Together they reach out to millions of owners
of gardens, and increasingly to people who simply want
to make the most of the balcony of their flat – or even just
their kitchen windowsill, writes John Sutton.
Part of the new products competition area.
The event, in its thirteenth year, is now jointly sponsored Looking ahead, growers can very probably expect a
by the Horticultural Trades Association and the Garden strong development in this innovative type of sunflower.
Industry Manufacturer’s Association (GIMA). Visiting Witness last year’s launch by Syngenta of Sunfinity.
the one-day show, always held in London, continues to In the plant supply sector, exhibitors selling direct to
be restricted to journalists, editors and others directly consumers included the online garden centre Garden
involved in the horticultural media world. Beauty. Owner Ian Ashton told me that their customer
Public interest in eco-friendly pest and disease control, base included landscapers as well as gardeners, and that
bio-stimulants and organic growing was reflected by the their wide range was particularly strong on Mediterranean
proportion of the exhibitors selling in this field. Among and southern hemisphere plants, well suited to their
these were Agralan – well-known to commercial growers Solentside location. Growing in peat-free compost,
– Earth Cycle, Ecofective, Hotbin Composting, Neudorff, and a next-day delivery service were features that were
Plantworks (for mycorhizal fungi and beneficial soil appreciated by their customers.
bacteria) and SBM Life Science. The biggest gardening website in the UK is the claim of
Seed and plant suppliers have always been a large Crocus, a long-standing exhibitor at the Garden Press
element among Garden Press Event exhibitors. Thompson Event. The online business was launched in 2000, and
& Morgan was making no mistake about promoting offers a choice of 4,000 varieties. Many of these are grown
SunBelievable Brown Eyed Girl, its new interspecific on their own nursery at Windlesham, in Surrey. Crocus
sunflower hybrid. Freely branching, each plant produces also sells all manner of other garden requirements. This
its mid-sized sterile blooms over a summer-long period. year it is ‘expanding still further on container solutions’, by
offering an even wider range of containers and associated
equipment, like plant supports. This reflects their sense
that an ever-increasing proportion of their plant sales are
Bugzof for container growing.
Any innovation that drives an increased demand for plants
Plant health the natural way can only be good news. Rainwater Terrace was showing
Harnessing the power of garlic and other natural how the humble water butt can be transformed into an
plant extracts to encourage resistance to aphids,
whitefly and other pests in protected and attractive focal point in a garden or even in a backyard.
outdoor crops. Simple foliar application. Rainwater Terrace’s modularized rainwater storage system
One of the new Garlic Barrier provides a home for flowering and foliage plants, using
products from Solufeed
some of the water that is stored in the butt as a controlled
For the full story and more, go to: irrigation system.
solufeed.com Lechuza is another exhibitor’s name very much linked to
Top quality speciality fertilizers 01243 554090 water. Their self-watering containers come in a range of
imaginative and award-winning designs. The sub-irrigation
www.greenhousegrower.co.uk THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018
SHOW REVIEW • 9
system integral in each can meet plants’ water needs for
up to twelve weeks. commercial bio-mass boilers.
Many of the Garden Press Event exhibitors, like growing The Willow Wand was runner-up in the new products
media specialists Melcourt Industries, have a foot in both competition. Using a woven bundle of nine carefully
the consumer and the professional markets. One of them graded willow stems as a cutting, a miniature pollarded
is ACS Distance Education. The wide range of online short tree with a head in full leaf can be produced in as little as
courses offered covers topics of appeal to keen amateur six weeks. This can be sold for the consumer to use as a
gardeners, but also subjects such as protected plant centrepiece in a patio container, or as a dot plant in a bed
production, soil management and cut flower production. or border, providing instant height. The bundled stems,
available in three lengths, become the permanent (and
Winners attractive) ‘trunk’ of the plant.
Willow Wand inventor Simon Read said that FarPlants
Bio-fuel from coffee won top award in the new product has asked for a sample, and that he is looking for partner
competition at this year’s Garden Press Event. Its growers. He told me that he hopes growers with ebb-&-
producers Bio-Bean use as their raw material the waste flow irrigated benching will find a profitable seasonal crop
spent coffee from some of the 50 million-plus cups drunk in Willow Wand, as rooting in water is quick and easy.
each day in the UK. Many of them are prepared and
sold by the ever more numerous coffee shops. Each cup
results in about 15grams of wet spent coffee grounds.
Bio-Bean, launched in 2013, is organizing bulk collection
of this waste from the shops, trucking it to its processing
facility, and turning out clean-to-handle fuel with a high
calorific value. Most is in the form of briquettes - artificial
logs - suitable for domestic use, and these are available
from many retail outlets including garden centres and
some branches of Morrison’s. Some of the waste is also
now pelletted, and this product is useable as fuel for It is all Go! at the 13th Press Event.
National Plant
Show Headline
Partner
GROWING FOR
Nursery Supply
Show Headline
Partner
THE FUTURE
ENQUIRE ABOUT A STAND
OR REGISTER TO ATTEND
19/20 June 2018 nationalplantshow.co.uk
Stoneleigh Park, nurserysupplyshow.co.uk
Coventry, UK
THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018 www.greenhousegrower.co.uk
10 • VARIETY UPDATE
PRIMROSE REVIEW 2018
further good new introductions. No fewer than six of them
Nearly three hundred varieties and breeding lines were in the latest-flowering series, Husky. Raspberry
of primroses, and nearly twenty newcomers to the Punch is a very pleasing shades mixture, and Husky
BallColegrave catalogue. Thirty doubles and semi- Midnight Blue, with silver-edged petals is another eye-
doubles. No fewer than eight series of polyanthus. This catcher. In the main season series Alaska, pink bicolour
was what visitors to BallColegrave’s annual trials were Appleblossom is new.
able to see. From a standard sowing date in week no. 32, Well over half of the primrose varieties on the trial
the flowering period stretched from December for Bonelli, benches were experimentals, given their chance for
the earliest series in the trial, to March for the latest, BallColegrave staff and customers to see side by side
Husky. An even longer time span – up to six months - with varieties in the catalogue. A select minority of these
can be achieved using a range of sowing dates. will become the introductions of 2019 and beyond.
John Sutton reports. In the UK this season there was just one other breeder’s
primrose trial open to trade visitors – Kerley & Son’s
Novelty varieties, a fast- expanding feature of the primrose annual Belarina event on their premises near Cambridge.
offer to the company’s customers, was the strongest These fully double varieties are in a league of their own,
focus of attention for trial visitors. Seven of these were bred and promoted as premium products. Propagated
new. All of them have ‘stand-out’ quality, usually for their by tissue culture, they are distinct from competitors by
colour. An example is the new addition Cherish, a lovely the character of the flowers and the very long flowering
shades mixture in the pale yellow to pale apricot range, period. BallColegrave catalogues a range of the varieties
with slightly frilly petal edges. Amore, with the pink of the in this series, and on their trial benches these were grown
petal edges suffusing into the ground colour, is another in 1.5litre pots. Three of them were new, including two in
notable arrival. Like Passion and others, these varieties the larger-flowered Prima Belarina series. The full Belarina
carry a ‘Buy me!’ message to consumers. series is now fifteen varieties strong, with several
Other novelty varieties offer strengths other than hard-to- selling successfully in other countries but at present
describe but appealingly different colour. The new Cupid unavailable here.
White, for example, is an outstanding rosebud variety, a Vale Royal Horticultural has established a notable track
sister to Cupid Yellow. Sweet 16 is a classic deep pink record for introducing primrose varieties with high
with a yellow centre, marked out by huge flower size. potential for the premium end of the market. Many have
Turning to BallColegrave’s mainstream series, bred by come from the dedicated specialist breeding work of
German primrose specialists Ebbing Lohaus, there were Howard Lupton. Past Vale Royal triumphs that are still
Amore, a new novelty variety. New polyanthus Victoriana Designer mix Alaska Spring Passion, a new novelty variety.
Lilac Lace. Sunshine in 6-packs.
www.greenhousegrower.co.uk THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018VARIETY UPDATE • 11
making money for their growers include Appleblossom,
Ember Glow, Frosty Morn, Woodland Walk and the
polyanthus Firecracker.
New lines for the 2018 season include Can-Can Purple,
a rose-to-purple shades mixture, its large semi-double
flowers having ruffle-edged petals. Plants are robust,
and the preferred pot size is 1.0litre. Ice Cream Sundae
majors on its cream/ pink bicolouration. This, says Vale
Royal’s Dave Wales, is best for flowering in the January-
Alaska Appleblossom, a new Husky Raspberry Punch, a new
February period, in a 10.5cm pot. For sales in the same
colour for its series. colour for its series.
months, Rose Buddies is a new small-flowered rosebud
type series. There are nine colours, many of them white- Evie series, and two for the mid-season Ambie.
flecked. Charlie is a new mid-season series, introduced to UK
growers at Burston Nurseries in February last year.
Continental breeding Compact but large-framed, it is particularly suitable for
10.0 – 10.5cm pot production. Currently available as a
Primrose and polyanthus varieties bred by Rudy Raes
mix, there will be up to seven separate colours in the near
in Belgium have a well established following among UK
future. And for growers looking for a late series, there are
growers. There is a large annual trial in the company’s
now nine colours in Cabaret, two of them new.
glasshouses near Lochristi, and trials every other year
Rudy Raes is proud of Rubens, its double-flowered
in this country. Philip Oglesby, the company’s UK agent,
series raised from seed. Double Cream is new, the sixth
reports that the 2019 trial will be at Burston Nurseries in
separate colour. Not all the good primrose genetics
St. Albans, as in 2017 and 2015. Planning is already well
emerge from the work of German, British and Belgian
under way. Visitors to this season’s trials in Belgium were
breeders. In the Netherlands, Hem Genetics has a well
able to see three new colours that are shortly to be added
established series in Pioneer. Accord, its other primrose
to the recently introduced first early series Primus. There
series, is a synthetic hybrid for mass market production,
are three new colours also for the compact early-flowering
good for packs as well as smaller pots. More recently,
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THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018 www.greenhousegrower.co.uk12 • GROWER UPDATE
Schoneveld Breeding launched its Paradiso series. This
has now been developed into the Paradiso family, with
Mini, Early, Mid and Late versions. Danova and Daniella
are Sakata series held in very good regard by growers.
GROWERS’ MEETINGS
They are offered by Earley Ornamentals. And the Florensis
catalogue justifies time spent for its wide-ranging choice.
Syngenta’s early-flowering Sirococco series first attracted
a deal of attention at IPM in early 2017. Marked out by
their white, curly petal margins, the flowers are unlikely
to be confused with other earlies. Recommended for
production in 10.0-11.0cm pots, the series now has four
more colours, bring the total to eight. Plant trays made from paper, Danish trolleys that go
where they are needed without human involvement, a new
POLYANTHUS
bio-pesticide called FLiPPER, and a coating for glass that
can result in increased photosynthetically active radiation
No fewer than eight polyanthus series featured in the inside the glasshouse. You could hardly make it up, but
BallColegrave trials. Five of them were grown in a format these are just a few of the products and concepts that
of three plants in a 3.0litre pot, as well as singles in ornamentals growers heard about at two events in the
13.0cm pots. The well-named Showstopper was the late winter, reports John Sutton.
benchmark series for flower size. The previously available
five colours were joined by three new additions, and there The speakers involved came from Holland and the
were four experimentals also on the trial benches. USA, as well as from the UK. The companies whose
The SuperNova series, from Sakata, is also large-flowered, innovations were under the spotlight were German and
and impressed for uniformity and for habit, including thick French, as well as British, Dutch and American. Nine
and fairly short stems. Stella, bred by Ebbing Lohaus, of the speakers made 15-minute presentations at a
is smaller-flowered and with smaller, darker leaves. Like BallColegrave growers’ event that brought an audience
Showstopper, it is also an expanding series, with four of well over a hundred to the company’s premises near
newcomers on show. I particularly liked the Red. And Banbury. The mini-conference, in February, was teamed
there was also a new red for Benary’s Piano series, which with an opportunity to see the extensive trials of primrose,
is suitable for colour sales in autumn as well as spring. polyanthus, pansies and violas. The Oscar pot dianthus
Other series included Crescendo, from Benary, and the series was the focus for speaker Ton de Bresser of
new Perola from Schoneveld Breeding. German breeders Selecta-one. The series, fully hardy, is
From other breeders, and not in the BallColegrave trial, now in over twenty colours and has the potential to be
there are further contributions to the polyanthus scene. In grown for year round colour sales. For marketing from
Syngenta’s new Stieletto series there are seven colours. early to late spring, potting of plugs, usually into 9.0cm
Recommended flowering period is January and February. pots, is recommended from week no 36 to no 8.
And from Vale Royal Horticultural there is Sunnyside Up! It is a crop with strong money-making potential – energy
This is a small-flowered, dark-leaved variety producing needs low or even nil, and high density on the floor or
heads of many bicoloured flowers, white with a large bench - 64 pots/sq m can still give good quality. Pink
yellow centre. It is hardy, and suits 1.0litre pots. Kisses is from the same breeders, and for this Ton de
Bresser recommended potting from week no 40 and
growing cold for sales from late April onwards.
Eric Forschelen, the second speaker from the Netherlands
at the BallColegrave event, has an international reputation
as a cyclamen expert. A freelance consultant, he now
advises Morel, the French cyclamen specialists, and their
customers.
Humidity levels in the growing environment are very
important indeed in minimising Botrytis risk. As one
important step, he urged growers to take care in selecting
The Garden-Mums for the perfect product the best series for the production period. For example,
Brandkamp GmbH Smartiz with its very compact, dense structure is an
big size pots small size pots info@brandkamp.de
mix pots early or late flowering www.brandkamp.de excellent mini for late summer and early autumn sales.
GERMANY But the more open character of the growing habit of Metis
makes it the better choice as temperatures fall, days
www.greenhousegrower.co.uk THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018GROWER UPDATE • 13
shorten and it becomes more difficult to reduce humidity spurred on by the loss of synthetic products and by rising
at plant level. levels of pulic concern about both food quality and the
Humidity control is also key in combating Fusarium losses environment.
on cyclamen, he said. Disease symptoms do not show The new biopesticide FLiPPER is derived from extra
until well after infection has taken place. virgin olive oil. Its use is approved Europe-wide for some
‘Robots are coming’ was the title given to his talk by edibles, and approval for use in ornamentals is expected
Professor Simon Pearson. He predicted that robotic soon. It has wide-spectrum contact activity against foliage
Danish trolleys would soon be available to growers. They pests. David Hide urged growers to make full use of
are already in use in the UK by the online home delivery Fargro’s free advisory service.
company Ocado. And seventeen Bercomex robotic Seed company Benary sponsored the BPOA event. Dave
flower packing lines are also already in operation in this Wales, their sales manager for the UK, reported that new
county. Research is in progress at King’s College London breeding projects on vegetatively propagated lines were
on robotic ‘rubber fingers’ to replace human labour in under way, in collaboration with Volmary. Seed-raised
handling cuttings. introductions to be launched this year include a new dwarf
The British Protected Ornamentals Association held a sunflower, Bert, and Pop Star, a new series of platycodon,
members’ meeting two weeks after the BallColegrave a campanula relative that could have good growth
event. Seventy of them heard five speakers at the potential in the UK market.
Meadow Croft Garden Centre, owned by members Roland Other speakers at the two events included Scott Rusch of
and Michael Smith. The audience also had the opportunity PanAmerican Seed, Wayne Brough of AHDB, Neil Bragg
to see plants being grown for an extensive annual pansy of Bulrush, on peat-free growing media, and consultant
and viola trial. The five hundred-plus varieties were in the Chris Need, BPOA co-ordinator for new project ideas.
final stages of growing for the 15th annual Meadow Croft There was also a presentation from the Bedding & Pot
Viola and Pansy Festival (The May issue of Commercial Plant Centre team – Dr. Jill England and Chloe Whiteside,
Greenhouse Grower will carry a report). from ADAS, introduced by Caroline Shove, who chairs the
Shaun Herdsman of Modiform introduced the company’s management committee. In April an updating video on the
new EcoExpert product range. In this, the pots and work of the Centre will be released to AHDB levy payers.
trays are made of recycled moulded paper, to give a The next Open Day will be on the 19th June.
rigid durable product that could be recycled again,
or composted. The appearance of the pots by the
time of sale might limit their use, said Shaun, but the
environmental case was unanswerable for replacing
plastic pot trays on the nursery with their paper
equivalent. Across the spectrum of containers used
in horticulture, currently the great majority made from
technically recyclable plastic eventually finishes up in
land-fill sites or as waste.
Anti-Reflect is a recently introduced glass coating
product from Mardenkro, the Dutch company with an
international name for its shading and coating agents
• RECYCLED
for glass and plastic. Solar radiation is diffused by Anti- • RECYCLABLE
reflect, with a resulting increase of at least 3 per cent in • BIODEGRADABLE
the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) that reaches • COMPOSTABLE
• FOOD SAFE
plant foliage.
The company’s Paul van Gils urged growers to use
ReduWizard, on the Mardenkro website. This is an inter-
active tool to guide the selection of the best product
from the company’s range for the grower’s specific
needs. ReduSol is a straightforward wear-resistant Modiform’s Eco-Expert range is
shading product, but others reflect, for instance, infra-red made from recycled paper and card,
radiation, or light of blue or green wavelengths. ‘pulped’ and formed into specific
shapes to offer your products
Fargro technical officer David Hide spoke at both the
protection during transport and sale.
BallColegrave event and the BPOA meeting. He spoke
on IPM at the first and on biopesticides at the second. W W W. M O D I F O R M . C O M
Investment in biopesticides development is increasing,
THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018 www.greenhousegrower.co.uk14 • FILMS
ON THE UP
XL Horticulture’s SunMaster CrystalTherm was developed
With an increase in demand for polythene covered as the first horticultural film in the world to be made from
greenhouses, manufacturers of films and structures have seven layers, it also has a permanent anti-drip system
been working hard to raise quality and deliver improved for the life of the film which offers ‘excellent’ protection
benefits to growers. Adrian Tatum reports. against condensation while it also has an ultra smooth
external face to repel dirt and delay the onset of algae. It
Advancements in polytunnel films have almost gone is immensely strong but the clarity is similar to glass and
beyond what has been previously expected in recent is suitable for most horticultural crops. Even though the
years. As growers strive for more light levels and better film is only 160 mu it is stronger than competitors 180 or
conditions inside the tunnels, recent developments in 200 mu film and has been tested to a puncture resistance
‘smart technology’ have meant a transition to films that of 1200gms, a strength at break test to 30mpa and has
offer many more benefits outside of improved light levels. a stretch before break result of 640%. The SunMaster
XL Horticulture have pioneered spectral filters being the CrystalTherm has a 93% light transmission, with the
first with UV open, UV closed and Pr/Pfr manipulation average transmission level for glass being 94%.
films. Their latest examples which are creating a lot of “We continue to focus on ‘smart films’ using the latest
interest are their 2 new 7 layer films. polymer technology which are thinner, stronger and
longer lasting than 180 or even 200mu films. Due to the
significant advances in polymer technology our sales
increase every year because most big commercial
growers like the longevity and strength of the films that
we produce. XL have their own commercial nursery where
the films are trialled, and they can show growers films 15
years old, and still intact.
Another development is XL’s SunMaster Cool which was
the result of seven years worth of research. Originally
F-Clean film from VDH.
www.greenhousegrower.co.uk THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018FILMS • 15
produced for ornamental growers, it was designed to keep
crops cool in the summer but still have high light levels.
Its microfine aluminium diffuser means the temperature is
reduced by 25% in bright sunlight compared to clear film.
The thermic properties within the film means temperature
differences can be moderated throughout the year. “This
type of advanced film means that the long-wave infrared
light is reflected back into the tunnel-so this means that
the heat is kept inside in the winter as well as it being
cooler in the summer,” says Mr Lane.
But moving forward, how advanced will horticultural films
become? “We are working hard to raise the quality of
every product we produce and our future research will be
focused on the continued development of self-cleaning
properties within films,” he adds.
Over the last few years our manufacturers have invested
12 million Euros in developing 7 layered film and we SteriLight SuperThermic on a D Plant polytunnel
don’t intend on stopping there,” Les Lane, Director at XL (XL Horticulture).
Horticulture, tells The Commercial Greenhouse
performance characteristics such as UV transparency,
Grower magazine.
temperature control and anti-fog properties by enabling
the precision placement of high performance polymers
“This type of advanced film and additives within the overall film structure.
means that the long-wave
Andy Barber, UK Sales Manager at Visqueen Horticultural
Films, tells The Commercial Greenhouse Grower: “The
infrared light is reflected back trend towards more permanent polythene covered
into the tunnel-so this means
structures means that growers are demanding more from
that the heat is kept inside in
the winter as well as it being
cooler in the summer”
Developing ‘smart films’ has also been a priority for BPI
which produce the Visqueen range of horticultural films.
The company says: “In recent years horticultural films
have advanced considerably and now offer a host of
quantifiable benefits in terms of light management that
creates optimum growing environments. For almost two
decades Visqueen has championed the development of Proven products to maximise
SMART films through ongoing research sponsorship at Strawberry production.
the UK’s leading plant science universities. The resultant
Complete Water Soluble Fertilizers Comprehensive
project outcomes have delivered a pioneering Visqueen range of standard and bespoke formulations containing
range that includes temperature control films; films that NPK, Mg+ fully chelated trace elements.
manage a crop’s response to red and far red light and Chelated Micronutrients
films that actively manage UV light transmission.” Probably the widest portfolio of trace element fertilizers
to suit every crop growing situation.
Visqueen has, in parallel, continued to invest in
its manufacturing infrastructure to ensure that the Garlic BarrierTM
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characteristics of its SMART film range are optimised to mitigate the effects of disease and pest attack.
for the benefit of growers. Having been an industry
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THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018 www.greenhousegrower.co.uk16 • FILMS
their films and the benefits they bring. The development
of our UV open film has enabled us to produce products
that bring a number of benefits to growers including leaf
colour, taste and flavour, shelf-life and quality of plants.
We are finding that the benefits are increasing as the
quality of film does.” He adds: “Much of our research
work is based on getting the maximum out of the light
spectrum and identifying how that will help growers in
different ways.” A new product is expected from Visqueen
either late in 2018 or early 2019. This will combine all the
latest properties in the film as well as further research
work on anti-condensating properties.
In the Netherlands, Ben van der Heide of VDH
Foliekassen reports a continued high demand for
greenhouse structures with plastic. “The advances in film
technology means that if you chose the right structure and
film then polythene can be just as effective as glass,” he BPI Visqueen films are developed in partnership with leading
tells The Commercial Greenhouse Grower. plant scientists.
VDH poly greenhouses are ideal for most types of crops,
as well as young plants and flowering and bedding film being tensioned mechanically and having the best
plants. The company says that crops grown within its quality structures means they are lasting a very long time,”
greenhouses are proven to be generally more hardy with says Mr van der Heide. He says 5-7 layer films are now
‘more compact habit and more intensive colouring.’ being frequently used in the Netherlands and the results
“Also, it is believed that these structures and the films are giving growers more confidence to grow under film.
don’t last as long but in fact with the combination of the VDH use thermal anti-condensation plastic films from
www.greenhousegrower.co.uk THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018FILMS • 17
zinc, aluminium and magnesium. This means the life of
the structure can be extended by 20 times compared to
uncoated ones.
According to NP Structures’ Commercial Director, Nigel
Carr, the company has worked hard over the last few
years to close the gap between glasshouses and plastic
covered structured and that includes the amount of
automation possible.
He goes on to say that there have been various
developments in polytunnel films over recent years
including green and blue films, UV blocking, flame
retardant films and films with more thermicity. Mr Carr
says that it is important to carefully consider the amount
of polythene used to recover existing polytunnels because
that far outweighs the volume used on new structures.
“With regards to recovering existing polytunnels, we are
finding that the thicker 720g (180mu) polythene covers
ChrystalTherm on a Richel tunnel (XL Horticulture). are still the most popular by a long, long way. We are
also finding that customers who have previously tried
2 x 0.18mm (with air inflated double layer) to 0.35mm thinner 600g (150mu) covers are reverting back to the
with single layer thickness for all its greenhouses. The thicker 720g (180mu) films. We provide both 600g (150mu)
light transmission ranges from 88% to 92%, depending and 720g (180mu) films, and so have little economic
on the type of film. The films also have UV stabilisers advantage over which film a grower chooses, but as a
and low thermicity means the heat is retained inside the manufacturer of high quality polytunnels we would prefer
greenhouses-especially important so not to allow too to supply the thicker, stronger film with new structures as
much cooling down at night. “We also use films that have our experience shows they last significantly longer.”
anti-condensation and diffused properties which helps
lower the leaf temperature just like it does under glass.
Our double layer film contributes significantly towards
energy saving also,” says Mr van der Heide. Up to 40% WHATEVER YOU GROW. WHEREVER YOU GROW.
energy costs can be saved by using double layer film
which has air between the layers. WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
“The advances in film technology
means that if you chose the right
structure and film then polythene
can be just as effective as glass”
VDH can also supply its films with F-Clean technology.
F-CLEAN™ ETFE film has a lifespan of up to 20 years
and a higher rate of light and UV transmission than glass,
polyethylene or polycarbonate, allowing the full spectrum
of solar light to pass through into the growing area. This
results in earlier blooms and more colourful petals, as Discover our renewed
well as sweeter fruit and vegetables. F-CLEAN™ is also greenhouse shading
treated with an anti-drip coating, preventing condensation products at sudlac.com
and potential drip damage to the crop. Due to the low
surface energy of the fluoropolymer film dirt gets washed New shading products
away easily by rain and so it is practically self-cleaning.
Online product advice
Elsewhere, NP Structures has responded to the more
frequent extreme weather by developing a new coating For all greenhouses
for all the metal used in its structures, which combines
THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018 www.greenhousegrower.co.uk
Sudlac-Commercial Greenhouse Grower_92x131.indd 1 15-01-18 12:1918 • HORTICONTACT
INDOOR SALAD NEWS FROM
PREMIERE DUTCH SHOW
Many of the estimated 16,000 visitors that attended this
year’s edition of the popular horticultural show were there
to catch up on all the latest indoor salad news, writes
Steven Vale.
Heading the developments at the Gorinchem exhibition
complex was Hazera, which has a strong background in
breeding tomato varieties for non-heated greenhouse and
open field crops for the fresh market in Central America
and Southern Europe. In recent years, the company is
looking to get into the hi-tech and heated greenhouse
market and was present for the first time at HortiContact
to promote some of its first varieties.
The search for new material began 8-9 years ago, and
right from the start the emphasis of the breeding team,
was to combine taste and good growing characteristics. NUN09231 is described as a high-tasting 12g cherry tomato,
Trials with the first results started four years ago, and which offers a uniform truss shape, a nice presentation and an
today are on display at Hazera’s Taste Experience Centre interesting colour.
in Bleiswijk (NL), where over 90 new potential varieties are also carefully testing some of its novelty cucumbers and
evaluated annually. Four of them were on display at the peppers in this market, like it has done in the past with
Dutch show – two named and two numbered ones, all of tomatoes, where Hazera entered the market with Summer
which are currently in trials with growers in the Benelux. Sun (yellow cherry) and Goutine (large loose).
Starting with the two numbered varieties, the first is an In the meantime, the company is keen to talk to British
egg-type variety producing +/-18-20g fruits. Presentation growers interested to trial its new tomato varieties, and
is claimed as one of the best, and the equal size and welcomes them to the Taste Experience Centre where
weight will be interesting for retailers. and the second, a crop specialists Geert van der Wel and Marcel van Kester
large vine tomato, produces fruits with an average weight can provide details on all the new tomato varieties.
of 140-150g, and as such is more likely to appeal to Dutch-firm Axia Vegetable Seeds has teamed up with
markets including Germany and Scandinavia. celebrity chef Herman den Blijker to produce a new
The most interesting of the two named varieties for book called Tomato Love. Main topics discussed include
British growers is Sensera, a mid-sized truss type, which the history of Axia and production of the crop in the
produces nice green parts and an average fruit weight Netherlands, supported with 25 recipes (with pictures),
of just under 100g. Currently in its first year of semi- based on Axia varieties.
commercial availability, Hazera fresh produce chain To support the hardback and 60-page full-colour
manager Arjan van Steekelenburg is confident that all publication, there was a live cooking demonstration
four are equal or better to existing ones in their respective at the Dutch show. If you would like a copy of the free
segments. “Sensera is perfect for the British market in publication then the message is to be quick because
terms of taste, size and presentation,” he said. the 2,500 English-language copies are expected to be
The second named variety is Flamantyno, which is popular.
claimed as the first yellow cocktail variety suitable for The plans for a second book are currently being drawn
truss harvesting and is positioned at the top end of the up, and more could follow in the future.
market. A promising newcomer on the Nunhems (Bayer) stand
Hazera is not just looking to come with a full portfolio of was NUN09231, which is described as a high-tasting
tomatoes for heated-crops as soon as possible, but is 12g cherry type with a good bite. Combining a uniform
www.greenhousegrower.co.uk THE COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE GROWER • APRIL 2018You can also read
