January - February 2020

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FloraCulture International

Mini-green revolution

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IPM ES S EN

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

OS M O COT E

Top five reasons to attend YA ROS L AV L G R EEN H O US E CO MPLE X

Miniature roses, from Russia with love

2020 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANT HEALTH Why plant health is so important and what it means for trade, environment and biodiversity

GREEN, GREAT, GORGEOUS! 28–31 JANUARY

When imagination and passion meet

a true The world’s leading trade fair for horticulture

LOVE STORY

begins

Plants Technology Floristry Garden features

WELCOME TO IPM ESSEN! ◆ GREEN trends and sales-boosting POS concepts ◆ GREAT product choice and international

partner network ◆ GORGEOUS new plant varieties and technology innovations All this at IPM ESSEN – the globally leading horticulture exhibition.

AMORE® Web page

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU.

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Meet us at IPM Essen | Hall 2, D40 To schedule a meeting contact: marketing@danziger.co.il

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 VOLUME 30 NUMBER 1

FROM THE PUBLISHER

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

A NEW DIRECTION FOR FCI IN ITS 30 TH YEAR

13 2020 THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANT HEALTH (IYPH) Making plant health a permanent priority

AIPH believes in a bright future for the global ornamental horticulture industry and that in a rapidly urbanising world our industry matters more and more.

AIPH is committed to supporting growers of trees, plants and flowers and to being ‘the world’s champion for the power of plants’. AIPH took over the ownership of FCI in May 2018 because we saw this as a valuable tool for fulfilling our aims of stimulating and energising this industry. We believe we have provided more content, more depth and more substance to help you and your business thrive. We are working in a market that is growing and in a world that is getting smaller. The need for an international media platform for our sector is stronger than ever and we will continue to strive to meet these ambitions with FCI. As we enter 2020 the Board of AIPH has re-affirmed its support for FCI and I am delighted to tell you about new developments and modernisation that we will be implementing: - Continued bi-monthly production of the magazine with more in-depth analysis and more contributors from around the world.

- Continued free-of-charge subscription to the digital edition of FCI and increased distribution through AIPH member and FCI partner organisations.

- Increased distribution of the hard copy magazine at international trade shows.

- Focused webinar programme for growers in association with Jungle Talks.

Distribution of the hard copy of FCI will focus on trade shows but if you would still like to receive your own copy through the mail then this will be available for a small charge to cover postage costs. Throughout 2020 we will be investing in enhancing your digital experience of FCI and to ensuring that we meet the growing demands of this exciting industry. FCI is your magazine so please tell me what you think and give us your ideas for the future too.

FEATURES 14

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I wish you all a prosperous 2020.

Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General AIPH

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FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

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BUXWOOD APOCALYPSE IN GEORGIA Plant pests don’t limit themselves to nurseries and private gardens

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BALANCING COMPLIANCE AND PROACTIVE INDUSTRY STRATEGIES Plant health is more than the absence of disease

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NEW PLANT HEALTH LAW NOW APPLIES TO ALL EU MEMBER STATES IGOTY AWARDS 2020 Giving peer recognition to production achievements in ornamental horticulture worldwide

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IPM ESSEN Top five reasons why you should attend

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ISRAEL Tree liner production takes firm root at Israeli nursery Hochberg

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POTTED ROSES, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex produces potted roses for the home market

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FERTILISING FINESSE Programmed nutrient release that is nearly as accurate as a Swiss watch

VOICES 04

FROM THE EDITOR

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COMMERCIAL TESTING AND NOVELTY

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PLANT HEALTH

IN EVERY ISSUE

I want to use this opportunity to thank Ron van der Ploeg (Editor) and Angie Duffree (Senior Media Account Manager) for their huge hard work which makes each edition possible and I know they are looking forward to taking FCI into its 30th year of publication.

Roger Bottomley (Media Account Manager) and Penelope Tomkins (Assistant Editor) have provided immense support to the magazine as well over the last year. Roger and Penelope are moving to pastures new and I would like to thank them for their hard work and support and to welcome Rachel Wakefield who is joining the team.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank our increasing number of advertisers. So many companies are recognising the value of supporting this industry and what better way to do that than by reaching so many growers worldwide in FCI. Without them we couldn’t do what we do and I look forward to maintaining these relationships and growing new ones throughout 2020.

FORGING COMMON GROUND IS ESSENTIAL Interview with IPPC’ Dr. Arop Deng, one of the driving forces behind IYPH

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WORLD NEWS

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SAVE THE DATE

FloraCulture International is an independent trade magazine with the largest with the largest circulation for a world publication of its kind. FloraCulture International is published for the ornamental horticulture industry by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH). It’s published six times per year worldwide.

Editorial Team: Tim Briercliffe, Audrey Gerber, Hidde Koenraad, Richard Melnick, Ron van der Ploeg,Kim van Rijssen, Fred van Tol, Penelope Tomkins and Rachel Wakefield.

Contact: info@floracultureinternational.com. Address: FloraCulture International, Horticulture House, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RN, United Kingdom.

Worldwide Advertising Office: Angie Duffree, angie@floracultureinternational.com tel. 0031 (0)6 403 277 35 Printer: Drukkerij van Deventer Graphic design: Aryen Bouwmeester. Cover photo: ICL. Circulation Administration: FBW Abonneeservice, Postbus 612, 3440 AP Woerden, The Netherlands. Subscribe: Sign up now for a free digital subscription www.floracultureinternational.com /subscribe Publisher: Published

by AIPH ©2020 FloraCulture International magazine. All rights reserved. Publisher is not liable for the content of the advertisements. Photography by permission of copyright owners.

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USA

UNITED KINGDOM

AIPH looks to the future at its next Spring Meeting in Miami

AIPH & Union Fleurs Publish Statistics Yearbook 2019

The 2020 Spring Meeting of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) will be from 1st-4th March, in Miami, USA. A key event will be the AIPH conference on Tuesday 3rd March entitled ‘Growing the industry’ in association with AIPH Member, AmericanHort.

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), in association with Union Fleurs – the International Flower Trade Association, has published ‘International Statistics – Flowers and Plants 2019’. The 67th version of this annual publication contains current available data on the global production and trade of ornamental plants and flowers.

The conference will focus on the ornamental horticulture industry and market in America and how changing consumer behaviour will impact the sector. There will be discussions stemming from industry research and how to positively translate the findings to a community level.

The programme includes expert presentations and panel discussions focusing on the challenges and opportunities for flowers and plants producers and importers to the USA. AIPH Secretary General, Tim Briercliffe, said “Miami is a key location for flowers entering the USA and is also a significant centre for horticultural production. With the help

of some excellent speakers, this event will provide the perfect opportunity to consider and plan for the future of this industry.”

The location for the AIPH Spring Meeting is in the National Hotel, which is just a short walk from Miami Beach.

The Spring Meeting will also include the AIPH Expo conference. It will consist of presentations from the organisers of AIPH approved events.

Progress reports will concentrate on four forthcoming A1 category international expos: Expo 2021 Doha (Qatar), Expo 2022 Floriade Almere (the Netherlands), Expo Horticultural Łódź 2024 (Poland) and World Horticultural Exhibition 2027 (Japan).

An absolute highlight of AIPH’s Spring Meeting is an educational tour to Miami International Airport where 90% of floral imports arrive.

There will also be progress reports concerning AIPH approved B, C and D category events and members will share information about Green City developments in their home countries.

The professional visit’s programme on 4th March will include Miami International Airport, where 90% of floral imports arrive; Costa Farms, one of the largest growers of indoor plants in the world and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, home of a significant collection of tropical and subtropical plants.

The AIPH Spring Meeting programme is open to anyone with a relevant interest or involvement in ornamental horticulture.

AIPH events provide a welcoming and invaluable opportunity for knowledge-sharing, idea-generation and networking for members in the horticulture industry worldwide.

For programme details and to book, visit: www.aiph.org For event enquiries please email Vanessa Stockton, AIPH Events Manager: events@aiph.org

The International Statistics Flowers and Plants Yearbook is the most comprehensive collection of data for the ornamental plants and flower industry.

It is the result of extensive research and data compiled by Leibniz University of Hannover.

The Statistics Yearbook provides production data for over 40 countries, detailed country breakdowns, product comparisons, market data and prices and global import and export data. The 2019 Yearbook is published as a pdf document and features 214 pages of illustrations, tables, diagrams and maps of key industry data.

Trade data is also available in Excel spreadsheets.

New data contained in the 2019

Statistics Yearbook includes: -P er capita consumption figures for Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, UK, Japan and USA ata on area and production -D for Malaysia dditional summary -A information for Canada, the Netherlands and the USA new country table and map -A for Australia -N ew graphs and additional information for Colombia, Japan and the USA -E xtended trade tables for the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Morocco and New Zealand. wo new world maps showing -T the most important producing and exporting countries of cut flowers.

STATISTICS INTERNATIONAL ANTS 2019 PL FLOWERS AND

WORLD NEWS

VO I C ES

AREA AND PRODUCTI

THE NETHERL ANDS

Dümmen Orange, FloraMedia and Royal Lemkes launch Trend Report 2020/2021

Important producers of

Production area in hectares

ON

A crowd of around 150 marketeers, trend gurus, growers, floral wholesalers, researchers and breeders gathered on 28th November, 2019 at the headquarters of Royal Lemkes, one of Europe’s biggest exporters of plants. They were here to witness the release of the 2020/2021 Green Trend Report, unveiling several green trends that, in the view of its makers Dümmen Orange, Floramedia

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and Royal Lemkes, will drive the future.

The report’s co-author, and Floramedia’s art director, Judith Klute was invited on stage to highlight what consumers care about and to uncover what their priorities and opinions are.

Among the megatrends that will be of impact to the ornamental horticulture industry in the next two years are Craft

FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Production area, ha N.A. 0 - 5,000 5,000 - 10,000 10,000 - 50,000 > 50,000

Exported value, USD thousand N.A. 0 - 20,000 20,000 - 50,000 50,000 - 150,000 150,000 - 800,000 800,000 - 4,500,000 > 4,500,000

Volume 67

Source: ITC Trade map, 2019

of cut flowers

2019 I. AREA AND PRODUCTION

Important export countries

Value in 1000 USD

FLOWERS AND PLANTS

are hot and are proof that among consumers, there’s a growing awareness of the downside of mass production and cheap merchandise.

The popularity of social media and the rise of gardening communities means there are more opportunities for the green industry to connect with the online world of plant aficionados and their Instaplants influencers – such as Mama Botanica. The Green Trends Report suggests associating with ‘green millennials’ who are actively sharing their green knowledge with their followers.

Urbanisation is another trend the industry should be cleverly utilising.

INTERNATIONAL STATISTICS

Economy, Green Connection, Urbanisation, Global Individuals, Aquaculture, Space Odessey, Ageing and Climate Change.

Pot manufacturers are aware because craftmanship is making a return. Gone are the days when a plant in a plastic pot was something consumers contented themselves with, at least if we take faith in Klute’s predictions. Next year maybe heralding a new era with cyclamen in a beautifully hand-decorated and locally produced Delft blue plant pot, or a stylish bouquet of Strelitzia is an authentic Murano vase. Handmade and locally produced goods that share a history and a heritage

Mr Hidde J. Koenraad is Partner in Intellectual Property at Boekx Advocaten (Amsterdam).

Earlier this year the General Court of the European Union provided further guidance on the scope of the novelty requirement in Community plant variety rights in cases (T-765/17) Kiku/CPVO and (T-112/18) Pink Lady America LLC/CPVO. The novelty requirement relates to the question to what extent premature disclosure of the variety by the breeder can stand in the way of the granting (and validity) of plant variety rights.

Such disclosure entails the acts of selling or disposing to others variety constituents or harvested material of the variety for purposes of exploitation thereof. The ratio behind this rule is to give the breeder of a new variety the opportunity to test the biological and commercial quality thereof for some time, before applying for – and investing in – plant variety rights.

The applicant for a declaration of invalidity of a variety on the grounds that it does not meet the requirement of novelty must provide substantial evidence and factual evidence in such a way that the CPVO may have serious doubts as to the validity of the plant variety rights granted.

Figure 2

cut flowers

Source: ITC Trade map, 2019

A crowd of around 150 marketeers, trend gurus, growers, floral wholesalers, researchers and breeders gathered on 28th November, 2019 at the headquarters of Royal Lemkes, one of Europe’s biggest exporters of plants. They were here to witness the release of the 2020/2021 Green Trend Report, unveiling several green trends that, in the view of its makers Dümmen Orange, Floramedia and Royal Lemkes, will drive the future.

COMMERCIAL TESTING AND NOVELTY

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The 2019 Yearbook The 2019 Yearbook can be purchased from AIPH in three different variations: Full Statistics Yearbook (Production data + Trade data) – €190 Production data only – €140 | Trade data only – €140.

Discounts apply for students and bookshops.

Full Yearbook: ISBN 978-1-9164807-0-4, Production data: ISBN 978-1-9164807-1-1 | Trade data: ISBN 978-1-9164807-2-8.

To purchase International Statistics – Flowers and Plants 2019 from AIPH visit: aiph.org/international-statistics-flowers-and-plants-2019/

The court held that the disposal of plant materials in order to carry out tests on a variety, which does not involve the sale or disposal to third parties for the purpose of exploitation of the variety, does not affect the novelty. The court referred to the Explanatory Notes of UPOV which contain a list of actions that are not harmful to novelty, including ‘trials of the variety not involving sale or disposal of to others for purposes of exploitation of the variety’.

Furthermore, the court considered that the concept of ‘exploitation’ of the variety relates to ‘exploitation for profit’. However, according to the court, this concept excludes commercial trials aimed at assessing varieties under commercial conditions across a range of soil types and different farming systems to determine their value to customers. Furthermore, the court ruled that the Board of Appeal of the CPVO correctly assumed in a previous decision that there should be an ‘evident desire to make sales’.

With these judgments, the court confirmed the prevailing views on the requirement of novelty in case law and literature.

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It is not too late for nature but the world needs ‘transformative change’ FCI spoke to Prof. Dr. Esther Turnhout, Full professor in The Politics of Environmental Knowledge and Acting chair of the Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group at Wageningen University, and contributing author to the IPBES* Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

“An industry, such as ornamental horticulture, may need to be brave enough to tolerate short-term

AUTHOR: DR. AUDREY GERBER PHOTOS: DIMITRIOS FOS

economic compromise to achieve long term sustainable business goals,” says Turnhout.

‘TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE IS ELUSIVE. IT IS NOT DIFFICULT OR COMPLEX. IT IS CLEAR WHAT MUST BE DONE: STOP DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOURS. WHAT MAKES IT ELUSIVE IS THAT THIS REQUIRES A COMPLETE SHIFT IN HOW SOCIETY THINKS AND OPERATES’

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* The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

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he IPBES report, compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries, presents a confronting review of the impact of economic growth over the last five decades on nature and natural systems.

As an industry, the ornamental horticultural industry takes stock of its responsibilities and influence on biodiversity. The ways in which this industry already addresses the problems of loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services are centered around general and specific sustainability goals. These include: Rejecting practices that destroy or compromise biodiversity; Supporting and adopting policies and practices that restrict movement of potentially invasive plant species or introduction of new pests and diseases that may threaten native plant populations; Moving towards supplying plants of known provenance or those with greater genetic diversity; Continuing to offer a wide variety of top quality plants to home garden and landscape markets.

truly fulfill its mandate of supporting policy, more engagement with public and private decision makers at different levels and scales will be needed.”

FCI: When the IPBES was formed in 2012, you are reported as saying that this body must draw from a much broader range of knowledge and stakeholders than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC (the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, founded in 1988) to enable it to better marry legitimacy and effectiveness. Do you feel that this has been achieved, or are there still stakeholders that might have more voice?

Your work involves the science: policy interface.

Biodiversity is a global issue. What is your experience from different countries regarding how effective the exchange of information across this interface is?

Esther Turnhout: “Yes, this has been achieved I would say, although there is always more that can be done. IPBES has gone a lot further than other assessment processes at incorporating indigenous and local knowledge (ILK), and attempting to provide information that is credible and relevant to a wide range of stakeholders. Yet I feel that to

Legislation, regulations, taxes and subsidies are all ways that governments can influence the speed and integrity of sustainable production and consumption. How does an industry, such as ornamental horticulture, position itself to be part of the conversations that drive policy?

“Sustainable practices by businesses require active support and a level playing field. Industry actors can do two things. Firstly, they can adopt and require high standards in the commodity chains in which they participate. Secondly, they can lobby with government to abandon and redirect subsidies, taxes and regulation that promote unsustainable practices. Industry has real power here, yet may need to be brave enough to tolerate short-term economic compromise to achieve long term sustainable business goals.”

“There is great value in the fact that all states who are member of IPBES have adopted the Summary for Policy Makers (SPM). This means that they have accepted the conclusions as being based on the best available knowledge. What happens with the conclusions is then up to the member states, and things will differ depending on the will and capacities of government, but also on available scientific capacities, and societal groups such as NGOs. In a country with active environmental NGOs and more advanced scientific capacities, the IPBES conclusions can also influence policy from the bottom up.”

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V I S -À-V I S

In the horticultural industry, we recognise a wealth of research results that provide clear evidence for the benefits of nature to our health and well-being, and yet economics continues to be the major driver for development policies. What are the major challenges for how policy is informed by science? Is it just a slow process for the information to flow, or is ineffective communication the more obvious challenge?

“I would say both and neither. There are definitely challenges in how scientists interact with policy makers, and how they could make better use of appropriate communication to ensure that knowledge is salient.

But, in a democratic society, science can only be one of the inputs and considerations that weigh in on decision making. That can be frustrating of course, but technocratic solutions are also not the answer to biodiversity loss. The current problem is not a lack of knowledge but a lack of action. We all need to start making steps towards transformative change, which is necessary not just for nature and biodiversity but also for equality and well being; these have to be seen as interconnected.”

The gaps analysis of the IPBES reports on many areas where more information is required, and the expectation is that these gaps can be filled by research. What are the drivers that influence getting this research done? As an industry what can we do to initiate and attract funding on research topics that support biodiversity?

“In my experience, research funding that supports the transformative change agenda is not easy to obtain.

Partly because funding is simply very scarce and competitive, but also perhaps because it touches on vested economic interests. This means that it does not fit with existing research agendas that have been informed by existing policy, economic and societal priorities.

Independent foundations could be effective and this is something that could be supported by private funding.”

Urban environments are amazingly diverse. In the UK, the BUGS (Biodiversity in Urban Gardens) project demonstrated that garden habitats support a rich diversity of plants and animal species. Urban agriculture is of growing interest. This is of particular importance where the city is surrounded by agricultural land that compromises biodiversity. Nature has suffered from habitat loss, mainly from deforestation, urbanisation and agriculture. How widely recognised is it that cities and urban environments contribute to meaningful biodiversity, and how relevant is this in balancing the loss in nature?

“This is not something that I have studied in detail, but I do feel that, even if it is only a minor factor, it is very worthwhile to promote sustainable backyards. They are a way for people to connect with nature, as well as supporting biodiversity. There are also many benefits of urban agriculture. It creates close connections between producers and consumers of food, and this nurtures sustainable production and consumption, making it easier for producers to receive fair prices and enhancing consumer awareness. Finally it creates opportunities for citizen engagement and the building of social capital.

Although the most important thing that the IPBES

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FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Prof. Dr. Esther Turnhout: “Leadership by industry is incredibly important to get governments to act”

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report showed me is that we need to focus on the largescale drivers of biodiversity loss. We need to address the root causes.”

The problem of biodiversity loss is considered to be a shared responsibility: Individuals can contribute through changing their consumer behaviour; local and national governments control policy; and companies can adopt sustainable practices in their business operations. In the horticultural industry there are initiatives at all levels of the supply chain to minimise environmental impact, from reducing plastics, to transport by sea in preference to air freight, and using recyclable and compostable packaging, to name only a few. Is it enough as an industry that we try to do what is right, or how important is it that we talk about what we are doing and make sure that our industry profile is recognised for acting?

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“Leadership by industry is incredibly important to get governments to act. I feel quite frustrated very often that the biggest failure is government in regulating industry.

Industries can certainly help, not just by promoting sustainable practices in the things they can control, but by reporting these. Transparent reporting by business is very important when it adequately reflects meaningful action, so this reporting should be comprehensive and unbiased. In this way, industries bring attention to challenges and can get governments to act.”

IPBES CONCLUSIONS - Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history.

- 75% of land-based environment and about 66% of marine environment have been significantly altered by human actions.

- Plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, 300-400 million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge and other wastes from industrial facilities are dumped annually into the world’s waters, and fertilisers entering coastal ecosystems have produced more than 400, what IPBES calls, ‘dead zones’.

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- Loss of biodiversity increases the challenge of limiting climate change.

- Loss of biodiversity is more than an environmental issue, it is also a developmental, economic, security, social and moral issue as well.

- We must act at every level from local to global.

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# 2A19

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# 2119

I Y PH

AUTHOR: RON VAN DER PLOEG PHOTO: ISTOCK

2020 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANT HEALTH

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lant diseases have existed since the dawn of human existence. Christian scholars know that the book of Exodus refers to locust plagues in Egypt, while Theophrastus (371286 B.C.), considered the ‘father of botany’, studied and explained the consequences of plant pests.

Throughout history, pests and diseases have repeatedly wreaked havoc. By 1884, one million hectares of French vineyards had been destroyed due to the outbreak of a tiny yellow aphid, the dry-leaf devastator (Phylloxera vastatrix) that multiplied astonishingly. Church bells were rung in alarm as French wine was nearly lost forever until a series of grafting programmes eventually eliminated the dreaded pest.

The Potato late blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans marked the great Irish Famine of 1845 which killed more than one million people and forced two million to leave their homeland.

As for dreaded pests and diseases in ornamentals, the more seasoned industry veterans among us remember how Thrips palmi in 1992 caused Dutch ‘ficus king’, Huub van Diemen to form barricades of sand, trucks and containers to prevent the Dutch plant health agency and police from entering his greenhouses and subsequently removing and destroying 1.3 million potted Ficus.

More recently, in 2013, the spectre of Xylella fastidiosa emerged in the Apulia region of southern Italy.

As our special report shows in detail, international trade has become faster and busier and the risk of introduction and rapid spread of plant pests and diseases is greater than before. IPPC foreman Arop Deng warns that the financial toll of plant pests and diseases is massive.

Page 14.

Plant scientists also point to climate change. According to World Agriculture, an independent, peer-reviewed journal for policy makers and practitioners in agriculture, there’s a growing scientific consensus that climate change affects plant health and vice-versa. The majority of research papers predict that plant diseases are likely to become more severe, epidemics will be more frequent and some pathogens will spread to new areas. The resistance which is developing in pests and pathogens to existing pesticides, the significant reduction of key plant protection products (PPP) coming to the market as well as increased regulation of control measures make life for a professional plant grower more challenging.

Plant diseases don’t respect borders and cause problems across all plant species, from iconic boxwood forests in Georgia (page 19) to the queen of cut flowers (cut roses under threat by Ralstonia).

The International Year of Plant Health coincides with the new EU Plant Health Regulation 2016/2031, which came into force on December 14th, 2019. This legislation offers robust and rigorous checks against the spread of disease.

It is still too early to say if the implementation of the new law will mean over-burdening commercial growers or traders with needless obstacles. But it is safe to say that it will set out new basic standards to ensure that EU countries work together to address plant pests and diseases.

These include mandatory surveillance for high risk pests and better use of the plant passport system. Page 25.

The real results of the IYPH will be seen in the long term as people become more aware of how their actions contribute to plant health. That’s why MEP Anthea McIntyre urges politicians worldwide to make plant health a permanent priority. Page 22.

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FORGING COMMON GROUND IS ESSENTIAL There are compelling economic, social, political and environmental drivers for a global response to plant health challenges, based on science and international phytosanitary standards. Dr. Arop Deng, integration and support team leader of which the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat thinks that the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) 2020 is a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the

AUTHOR: RON VAN DER PLOEG PHOTOS: IPPC

environment and boost economic development.

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he voracious appetite of microscopic aphids devastating vines in 1881 was the catalyst that forms the phytosanitary standards which the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) champion today.

Phylloxera vastatrix was the bug to spark the first international agreement nearly 139 years ago, which describes measures to be taken against plant pests. What followed was the International Convention for the Protection of Plants developed by the International Institute for Agriculture in 1929 and the IPPC that came into force in 1952, replacing the earlier international agreements in the field of plant protection. The Uruguay Round of trade negotiations (1986-1994) and the subsequent establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995 marked important milestones for the concept of the trans-boundary movement of plant and plant product. In 1997, the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) was established. Considering its timeline, IPPC has come a long way.

GLOBALISATION, TRADE AND CLIMATE CHANGE Meanwhile, insect pests (phythophagous and vector type ones) and pathogens are a global concern for the world’s plants. All countries are affected, and most are potential sources of new invasive insect pests. Commenting on the major factors implicated in the spread of pests and diseases, Deng says, “These factors include globalisation and trade as promoters of increased movement of people and goods across various countries and continents. In addition, climate change that impacts the distribution of flora and fauna in various ecosystems, the use of produc-

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FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

tion systems that are not environmentally friendly, as well as the reduced resistance and resilience of plants to pests and diseases are among the major contributors to the introduction and spread of pests and diseases.”

The financial toll of pests and diseases is massive. On a global scale, plant pests alone are estimated to cause annual crop loss of 10- 16% while pests and diseases are estimated at 20- 40% , according to FAO estimates.1 “In terms of economic value, plant diseases alone cause a loss of USD 220 billion in trade on agricultural products annually, while USD 70 billion in loss is attributed to invasive insects alone. In 2017, the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, a lethal pest affecting potatoes, caused USD 3.2 million of economic loss in China. In 2016, an analysis of 1,300 known invasive pests and pathogens had an estimated potential cost of global agriculture standing at more than USD 540 billion annually. These monetary indicators are even more significant if we consider that plants account for over 80% of human food,” notes Deng.

Climate change affects plant health and vice versa, he stresses. “Plants are essential for life on earth. There is a mutual relationship between plant health and climate change as they affect each other irreversibly.

It is well known that plants provide most of the oxygen we breathe. If they are affected or infected, the supply greatly reduces, leading to ozone depletion and rising temperatures. This becomes a recipe for climatic catastrophes: unpredictable cycles of flood, drought, cyclones, El Niño, among others, which affect resilience, livelihood and socio-economic development of rural communities mostly in developing countries,” says Deng.

Plant pests may be easily transported from one country to another in our globalised and interconnected world where countries mutually exchange enormous flows of people and commodities daily.

Deng: “Similarly, eradication of poverty and hunger are Objectives 1 and 2 of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The IPPC community is about to endorse the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020-2030 during CPM-15, in March and April 2020. The UN General Assembly declared 2020 the International Year of Plant Health. Considering the figures I mentioned previously and these international initiatives, it is easy to deduce that the political and social impact of plant pests is already evident to the international community and this translates into national legislators addressing this issue eventually.”

POLITICAL AGENDA Plant health can never be high enough on the agenda of politicians. It should always be a national priority, “but the political discourse at the national – or at the EU level is entirely in the hands of country representatives, be it heads of state or government or parliamentarians at any level,” adds Deng.

Plant health has its roots in science. Deng says, “Forging common ground is essential to preserve the world’s plants from pests. The national, regional and international harmonisation of actions to prevent pest spread through the implementation of IPPC Standards is a science-based approach.

It has always been a priority for all IPPC Contracting Parties, 183 currently. The hundred-plus International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) are hard proof of the longstanding global commitment to prevent pest outbreaks.”

PROMINENCE AND PRIORITY A pro-active pest management approach requires constant vigilance at every level. Growers, traders, gardeners,

1. More information on www.fao.org/ news/story/en/ item/1187738/icode/

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foresters and farmers all need to be on the lookout in the field for the first signs of disease. The question arises how IPPC, finding itself on top of the pyramid, can give the issue the prominence and priority it deserves?

Deng says, “IPPC - the Inter­national Plant Protection Convention is an international treaty that aims to secure coordinated, effective action to prevent and control the introduction and spread of pests of plants and plant products. The IPPC is part of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement as a result of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. Besides the ISPMs, the IPPC Secretariat has coordinated the development and published 18 guides, 24 factsheets, nine brochures and ten training kits to provide its 183 contracting parties with the necessary tools to prevent the outbreak of plant pests and diseases.

Furthermore, the IPPC Secretariat is actively building phytosanitary capacity through training workshops and seminars, so that the IPPC community can perform phytosanitary functions effectively to make trade sustainable and safe.”

One other way is to create awareness among the stakeholders (growers, consumers, traders, civil society organisations, academia governments and public) on the importance of plant health so that each one of them can voluntarily play their role.

“The IPPC Secretariat is doing just that in collaboration with National and Regional Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs and RPPOs). Internationally, the IPPC community needs to continue forging strong alliances with its networks, NPPOs, RPPOs, FAO’s offices and partner organisations to continue working together to facilitate the implementation of the Convention, its standards and CPM recommendations,” says Deng.

and agricultural products, such as grain, fruit, flowers and vegetables. Yet trade could introduce and spread plant pests and diseases and as such, threaten natural plant resources.

Effectively implementing the IPPC and its international standards for phytosanitary measures can help find that steadiness.

The IPPC provides globally harmonised guidance for countries to manage pest risks, thus effectively ensuring safe and efficient trade.”

The concept of Coordinated Border Management (CBM) espoused by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and its Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) composed of representatives from Codex Alimentarius Commission, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), International Animal Health Organisation (OIE) and IPPC Secretariat provides a partial answer to the dilemma.

Besides the promotion of risk management referred to above, the use of electronic documentation and strengthening interagency collaboration can go a long way in striking an amicable balance between these two global activities.

ON A GLOBAL SCALE, PLANT PESTS ALONE ARE ESTIMATED TO CAUSE ANNUAL CROP LOSS OF 10- 16%

DIFFICULT BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE To minimise further introductions and spread of devastating pests and diseases, the eradication of plant pests and diseases in territories where they were not detected previously is a challenging but not impossible task. Deng says, “For that reason, prevention is paramount. And the role of the IPPC and its international phytosanitary standards become critically essential. I do believe that promoting good practices amongst citizens and travellers is also very important to attain this goal. Training people to pay attention when travelling or buying phytosanitary products online is crucial to avoid pests spreading worldwide and minimise the risk of their introduction into new areas. Building capacity of the plant protection community to effectively implement standards, empowering academia and research organisations to produce relevant technologies and tools for prevention and control are essential parts of practices to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases into new areas.”

DEVIL OF A DILEMMA To resolve the dilemma between best-protecting plant health while facilitating trade, Deng thinks that finding a balance between preventing pest introduction and safe trade is at the core of the IPPC mandate. Deng says, “Cooperation at a national, regional and global level is of vital importance to meet halfway and assure plant health while facilitating trade. As we know, many countries depend on trading large quantities of plants

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FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

GREAT OCCASION 2020 is the International Year of Plant Health which coincides with the introduction of the EU’s new plant health regulations and the plant passport. “The IPPC Secretariat welcomes any legislation that can support plant health. Nevertheless, this duty falls upon governments, ultimately. In this sense, the IPPC Secretariat maintains its objective role by providing the best, science-based international standards for phytosanitary measures. The designated bodies, as well as citizens, will review any other initiative that escapes the IPPC mandate, eventually.”

Personally, Deng is looking forward to the theme year. “The IYPH is a great occasion for the global plant health community to show the world why protecting plant health is an important undertaking and how plants are affecting our lives. Life on earth would be simply impossible without healthy plants providing us with oxygen and food and other necessities.”

With two launch events in Rome and New York, a Ministerial Segment at the CPM- 15, an International Conference in Helsinki, World Food Day celebration focusing on the year and a closing event of the year, both in Rome, the crux of the awareness-raising campaign on plant health will have been achieved. Everyone has a crucial role to play in 2020. People, civil society, producers, traders, consumers, travellers, academia and government, can all take actions daily to reduce the risk of pests and diseases introduction in their territories. Farmers will learn how to monitor better and report the occurrence of pests and together with agribusiness employees will adopt the environmentally friendly and technologically advanced practice to control pests. People from the private sector will be more engaged with the development and promotion of safer global plant health protection products.

Countries and governments will be expected to invest more in phytosanitary research and keep plant health high on their national development agenda, consistent with IPPC standards and procedures.”

TURKISH FLOWERS

Bringing colors to your life For more information: www.turkishflowers.org www.turkishornamentalplants.org

Petchoa ‘BeautiCal’

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Completely defoliated native boxwood forestin Djumari (Guria) in the summer of 2015.

GEORGIA’S BOXWOOD APOCALYPSE SHARING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLANT HEALTH Outbreak and spread of pests and diseases of Boxwood threatens to compromise its significant market position. While the search goes on for control measures and resistant varieties, research in the forests of

AUTHOR: DR. AUDREY GERBER PHOTOS: DR. IRYNA MATSIAKH

Georgia reveals the complexity of the problem, and leads to a strategic plan for managing spread.

Let our businesses grow successfully, together!

T

he endemic and rare species of rich broadleaf and coniferous forests are the real treasures of Georgia, and they are highly threatened by the loss of the endemic boxwood species, Kolkhic boxwood (Buxus colchica). This is a related species of the horticulturally important Buxus sempervirens, and believed to have naturalised into the landscape following planting around churches. The massive

Native boxwood forests of Tkibuli, Georgia.

decline of Kolkhic boxwood in these forests precipitated an in-depth research study, lead by Dr Iryna Matsiakh.

DEBILITATING DEFOLIATION Field work and laboratory studies revealed that forest decline is caused by the invasive fungus box blight (Cylindrocladium buxicola, synn Calonectria pseudonaviculata) and box tree caterpillar (Cydalima perspectalis), both causing debilitating defoliation.

Species and varieties of Buxus show variation in susceptibility to box diseases, and this gives the industry hope that tolerant selections may be found.

The genetic population diversity of Buxus colchica has yet to be investigated. “During field trips” says Dr Matsiakh hopefully, “we observed variety in shape, colour and size of boxwood leaves. But only a full study would reveal if resistant varieties exist.”

In Dr Matsiakh’s opinion, environmental factors are one of the most important concerns, as they determine the course of the disease process. Entire boxwood stands are killed by blight at sites with high summer humidity and precipitation, as the interaction of local environmental factors enables the pathogen to be more aggressive. Changing climatic conditions are already apparent in the region, with increasing temperatures,

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State Forest Fund under the National Forest Agency

The disease cycle of boxwood blight.

Borders of Forest Districts

Apkhazeti

Temporary Uncontrolled Territory

Mestia Woodland map Georgia, managed under Georgia’s National Forest Agency and temporary uncontrolled areas (Source: National Forest Agency Georgia).

Khaishi

Rivers, Lakes, Reservoirs

Lentekhi Tsalendjikha Chkhorotsku Martvili

B l a c k

S e a

Kolkheti

shrinking glaciers, rising sea level, reduction, and redistribution of river flows, decreasing snowfall and an upward shift of the snowline.

“Of course, many tree species will suffer from climate change by becoming weakened and more susceptible to invasive species,” says Dr Matsiakh. Climate change may favour both boxblight and boxwood moth. “The moth is multivoltine, having more than two generations per season,” explains Dr Matsiakh, “and in warmer conditions this can increase to three or four generations.

At lower altitudes the young caterpillars may even feed and overwinter successfully.”

Chiatura Zestafoni

Tskhinvali

Akhalgori

Znauri Khashuri Vani Chokhatauri

Akhmeta

Telavi

Kharagauli Gori Borjomi

Adigeni Adjara

Tianeti

Kareli

Bagdati

Akhaltsikhe

Kvareli

Mtskheta-Didgori Kaspi

Mtskheta

Lagodekhi

Gurjaani

Tbilisi

Tsalka-Tetri Tskaro

Sagarejo Gardabani-Marneuli Bolnisi

SOCHI’S OLYMPIC VILLAGE Not everything related to plant health is outside of our influence, though. Box tree moth was inadvertently introduced to the region on imported boxwood used to decorate the Olympic village and Sochi city. Early control methods were not completely effective, and, within a year, massive spread of box tree moth was obvious. This devastating outbreak could have been avoided if the strategic plan that was developed as part of Dr Matsiakh’s research was in place at the time. The strategic plan for recommendations and proposals for the conservation and management of native boxwood forests has four major elements: Prevention; Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR), Control and management; and Rehabilitation and restoration. Dr Matsiakh considers that the strategic plan can be used to apply to other regions also fighting invasive species. “The four strategic areas,” she proposes, “have relevance to any protection management programme. They all require partnerships, collaboration, scientific activities, communication and education, and funding support”.

The sad story about the introduction of invasive species to the Caucasus region demonstrates the critical need to tackle environmental challenges, and to build strong

FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Sachkhere

Lanchkhuti

Ozurgeti

Barisakho

Djava

Tkibuli

Khoni

MORE OPEN DISCUSSION IS NEEDED

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Pasanauri

Ambroloauri

Tskaltubo

The box tree moth with its typical brown and semi-transparent white wing pattern.

Oni

Cageri

Aspindza-Akhalkalaki

Dedoflis Tskaro-Signagi

Dmanisi

collaborative links between the horticultural industry, businesses, scientists, decision-makers, and policy makers. Dr Matsiakh promotes more open discussion and a more integrated approach across environmental and trade obligations. Regulatory bodies/authorities need a greater awareness and access to scientific knowledge about the likelihood of introduction of new pests and diseases. Growing awareness of environmental issues among stakeholders is a key driver of opportunities to bring the economy, trade and environmental sustainability closer together.

Dr Matsiakh calls for more attention from local politicians to plant protection issues, because the specific decisions that need to be made depend on regulations of plant trade, and the ability to authoritatively and effectively react to emerging threats. “I am pleased that this research has resulted in practical implementation that is still ongoing. I dream that my grandchildren will see the results of our efforts,” she smiles.

ASSESSMENT AND FUNDING This assessment of forest pests and diseases in the native boxwood forests of Georgia was conducted by Dr. Iryna Matsiakh (Assistant Professor of Forestry Department at the Ukrainian National Forestry University, Lviv; International Consultant, National Forestry Agency of Georgia). The work was carried out from July 2015 to February 2016 in the frame of the regional programs “European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) East Countries Forest Law Enforcement and Governance II Program” and “ENPI East Countries FLEG with support of the Austrian Development Agency. The Program is lead by the World Bank, working in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

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NEW OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES In a Parliamentary news item published in 2017, Miss McIntyre stated that plant health must be prioritised, and not just given attention in a crisis. The EU regulation 2016/2031 is a measure to do just that: to set up the structure and processes to respond to pest and disease threats in advance in a manner that prevents spread, rapidly implements control measures, and allows complete traceability.

Yet, even with three years from adoption to enforcement, many countries are underprepared. Miss McIntyre considers that three years was quite sufficient time to prepare, given that all EU countries were represented in the Council that agreed on the legislation. “One of the useful things this legislation did,” she explains, “was to bring together previous regulations into one place. That should be a great help for small businesses and others. It repeals and replaces seven existing directives on harmful organisms. It aims to modernise the plant health regime with a focus on the spread of certain pests. It addresses imports as well as movements within EU.” Miss McIntyre accepts that the regulation does impose new obligations and responsibilities on professional operators, but considers that without such sensible caution the industry itself could be undermined. “If the measures imposed in this regulation are not implemented, the consequences for biosecurity are severe”, says Miss McIntyre with concern about the impact that non-compliance would have on the industry, the public, and all involved in plant health.

The European Nurserystock Association, ENA, is currently evaluating how informed and prepared its members are. Mr Jan Dieter Bruns, President of ENA reports, “The Plant Health and the Official Controls Regulations are useful tools that will increase biosecurity in Europe. Although the European Commission is late producing the last pieces of legislation, and that nurseries in too many countries have not been well informed in due time, through the nurseries organisations we have looked for the practical implementation of the new rules. Most European nurseries are finally ready to issue the new plant passport and comply with the regulations.”

to perform its physiological functions to the best of its genetic potential - there is plenty of scope for breeding and selection of tolerant or resistant varieties. Yet Miss McIntyre considers that there is not enough research and development effort being put into identifying disease resistant traits. Furthermore, she says, “The speed of development of new varieties is severely curtailed by Europe’s unscientific opposition to new breeding techniques”.

A call to empower national and regional plant protection organisations by providing them with adequate human and financial resources comes from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, FAO, in their support of the IYPH. Miss McIntyre is confident that, in the UK, there is good cooperation between industry and government. She cautions, though, “that does not mean the industry always gets its way - far from it. But the National Farmer’s Union, NFU, for example, is very well regarded and when it makes an argument it does so on a rational and scientific basis while also bringing to bear the real life experience of growers on the ground.”

The NFU is fortunate to be able to call on good scientific and analytical UK work in support of ornamental horticulture.

‘THE SPEED OF DEVELOPMENT OF NEW VARIETIES IS SEVERELY CURTAILED BY EUROPE’S UNSCIENTIFIC OPPOSITION TO NEW BREEDING TECHNIQUES’

Miss Anthea McIntyre, Conservative MEP for the West Midlands and the Conservative Party’s spokesman in the European Parliament.

There are many layers of policy influencing plant health, from regulation of plant movement, to restrictions on pesticide use, to monitoring fertiliser choice and use. Ideally, the horticultural industry must find a balance between responsive, reliable compliance, and proactively seeking out alternative production strategies, either independently as innovative businesses, or collectively as a progressive industry.

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AUTHOR: DR. AUDREY GERBER

BALANCING UK’S COMPLIANCE AND PROACTIVE INDUSTRY STRATEGIES

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he International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) has been declared for 2020 by the United Nations General Assembly to draw attention to the wide-ranging impacts that plant health has on production efficiency, and product quality. Miss Anthea McIntyre, Conservative Member of European Parliament for the UK’s West Midlands and the Conservative Party’s spokesman in the European Parliament on the environment and on agriculture and rural affairs, believes that legislation is not sufficient on its own, and that the horticultural industry itself has a role to play in securing its huge potential.

NOT ENOUGH R&D The 2020 IYPH focuses primarily on preventing plant pests and diseases from spreading, as this is more cost effective than applying control measures.

Thinking from the perspective that plant health is more than the absence of disease - it is the ability of a plant

BRINGING RESEARCH AND PRODUCERS TOGETHER In her experience, Miss McIntyre has found that the UK’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) plays an influential role in this by funding research, and keeping growers and Government updated. She goes further to highlight the importance of bringing research and producers together to enable all businesses, including small ones, to access new technologies.

In a 2014 report to the European Parliament on the future of horticulture, Miss McIntyre emphasised the benefits of ornamental horticulture to human health and well being in enhancing green spaces, and thereby improving the urban environment with respect to climate change, and the rural economy. Despite this positive encouragement, active support for the horticultural sector is still lacking, and governments could do more to encourage greater investment in the sector.

To invest in its own success, Miss McIntyre advises the horticultural industry to work on its image, finding ways to be more attractive to students and young people, and, in particular, create career development pathways to encourage and nurture new entrants to the industry.

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NEW PLANT HEALTH REGULATION NOW APPLIES TO ALL EU MEMBER STATES The EU’s new Plant Health Regulation (Plant Health Law) on protective measures against plant pests came into force on 14th December 2019. The new regulation aims to modernise the plant health regime and strengthen biosecurity controls to protect the EU from

26/28 FEBRUARY 2020 FIERA MILANO, ITALY

INTERNATIONAL B2B FAIR OF HORTICULTURE, GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE

Tel. +39 (0)2 6889080 • info@myplantgarden.com • www.myplantgarden.com

AUTHOR: RON VAN DER PLOEG PHOTO: DIMITRIOS FOS

quarantine pests by preventing introduction and effectively dealing with any outbreaks.

The EU Plant Health Law applies to non-EU imports and movements within EU. From 14 December 2019, all plants (including living parts of plants) will need to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate to enter into the EU, unless they are listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as exempted from this general requirement.

PLANT PASSPORT It requires plant businesses (growing, importing/exporting plants) to have formal processes in place that allow tracking and traceability of plants and plant material. Simply put: plant material moving from a third country into the EU will require a phytosanitary certificate; and plant material moving within the EU, within individual countries and even between premises of a single business, will require a plant passport. Plant passports are not required for direct supply to final users (i.e. members of the public). But this excludes distance selling, where plant material sold to a final user will require a plant passport. Plant passports have to meet specific requirements in terms of content and format, and they have to be attached to the ‘trade unit’ of the plants. This could mean a tray of plants, but in many cases it will mean the individual pot or even directly onto the plant.

If plants are supplied boxed, the box could carry a single plant passport label instead of a label on every plant.

Similarly if multiple pot plants were supplied in a tray, the tray could carry the relevant plant passport. If the consignment of plants were supplied on a trolley then the plant passport can be attached to the trolley (if the consignment was split, the separate packages would need new plant passports to maintain traceability). For cases where the smallest trade unit has mixed plants e.g. mixed baskets then a single plant passport listing the different plant species can be used. A plant passport can be attached to a trolley of a mix of species, even when those species are in separate pots or other units (e.g. trays or boxes), only if that trolley is going directly to retail and traceability is maintained for the all the plants and plant products on that trolley. In such cases the PP must be attached to the trolley, and not travel in the cab with the delivery driver (Source: NFU update December 2019).

HIGH RISK PLANTS AND PRIORITY PESTS One significant change that the Plant Health Law brings is that the 35 genera/species on the high risk list will be prohibited entry into the EU, unless the third country formally applies for a derogation, and can guarantee that plants are free of EU quarantine organisms.

The Plant Health Law empowers the Commission to establish a list of the priority pests. The EU’s Official Journal published on 11th October 2019, the names of 20 quarantine pests as priority pests, including Xylella fastidiosa, the Japanese beetle, the Asian long-horned beetle, Citrus greening and Citrus Black Spot, whose economic, environmental and social impact on EU territory is the most severe.

The selection of those pests is based on an assessment carried out by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre and the European Food Safety Authority, which takes into account the probability of spreading, establishment and consequences of those pests for the Union. For these specific pests, Member States will have to adopt enhanced provisions: information campaigns to the public in case they are present in their territory, implement annual surveys, prepare contingency plans, simulation exercises and action plans for eradication.

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I G OT Y AWA R D S 20 20

I G OT Y AWA R D S 20 20

THE IGOTY AWARDS On Tuesday 28th January, alongside the AIPH approved Trade show IPM ESSEN, the industry’s most prestigious award ceremony will celebrate the best ornamentals producers and name the AIPH

AUTHOR: PENELOPE TOMKINS

International Grower of the Year 2020.

T

he International Grower of The Year (IGOTY) Awards celebrates the expertise and energy given to growing ornamentals. Since 2009, these industry awards have given peer recognition to production achievements in horticulture. The awards also help to stimulate and promote best practice by giving global attention to outstanding producers and promoting knowledge throughout the industry.

IGOTY is a notable affair at the IPM Fairground, Essen, Germany, alongside the industry’s most significant international trade fair. Every year the competition grows in stature, attracting stronger entries, incorporating additional award categories and drawing more and more horticulture members to celebrate achievements in this formal awards ceremony.

“The AIPH International Grower of the Year 2019 was definitely a great award to win. Internally, for Gediflora, it created a very good vibe and gave an extra dynamic to our team. As a team, we all felt immensely proud of winning this award. Outside of our business, the effect of winning was truly underestimated. We have been very surprised by how many people received the news and have congratulated us on our achievement. Although our business was already well known, this award gained a true and higher respect for our company.”

Elien Pieters, Gediflora, 2019 Gold Rose Winner

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FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

THE AWARDS Finished Plants & Trees; for finished plants and trees that are ready for final sale.

Young Plants; including cuttings, plugs, liners, seedlings etc. which are sold or grown on.

Cut Flowers and Bulbs; for flowers and foliage cut for indoor decorative use and bulbs.

Sustainability Award; for best practice and innovation in areas such as; water, chemical and energy use; climate change; transportation; labour management and social standards.

Gold Rose Winner; from amongst the winners of all categories, an overall champion will be crowned the ‘Gold Rose Winner’, to receive the industry’s most coveted and prestigious award.

“Receiving an IGOTY Award not just in one category but in two is a great honour and fantastic experience. There is no doubt that such recognition throughout the industry gives great satisfaction. It raises team spirit and shows us that there are no boundaries for our dreams. It also brings the responsibility to reach our visions in the best and most innovative and sustainable ways. We are eager to pursue our aims as a leader in the sector, and we’re very proud to win two IGOTY awards.”

Paweł Marczyński, Clematis the Source of Good Climbers Nursery, Poland, 2019 Gold Winner Finished Plants and Trees and Silver Winner Young Plants.

THE CRITERIA

THE 2020 IGOTY JURY

Judges look at the following criteria before awarding an IGOTY. The nominated horti­ culture business needs to demonstrate: Economic performance; the best businesses must be profitable to remain productive and deliver ongoing developments.

Innovation; the best businesses must be innovative, bringing something new to the industry or market, doing something differently and pushing boundaries.

Market Insight; the best businesses will understand their market and customers inside out.

Sustainability; the best businesses will be sustainable, with demanding environmental and social standards, practices and ambitions.

People Policy; the best businesses will value their human resources and foster a working environment of unity, respect and reward.

The IGOTY Awards are judged by an international panel of industry experts who know what it means to be the best.

(Jury Chair) Mr Tim Edwards Vice President, AIPH (UK) Mr Mike Rimland

Prof. Shiwei Zhao

Director of R&D, Indoor Plant Division, Costa Farms (USA)

Vice President, World Federation of Rose Societies (China)

THE ENTRIES

Mr. Poul Graff

The IGOTY Awards offer open and fair competition. Entry is through three routes: 1. nomination by an AIPH member 2. nomination by a national trade organisation (if the country has no AIPH member) and 3. Self-nomination (where a country has no national trade organisation).

Entries for the 2021 IGOTY Awards will be open from March to July 2020. See aiph.org/igoty2020/ for further information.

THE AWARDS CEREMONY Growers, horticultural businesses and industry peers get involved in the IGOTY Awards each year, either by entering the competition, sponsoring the event or attending the ceremony. Everyone involved in the ornamental horticulture industry is invited to participate in the ceremony which commences with a drinks reception followed by a gala dinner and presentation of the awards. There is musical entertainment throughout the evening.

CEO of Graff Breeding A/S (Denmark) Mr. Jan-Dieter Bruns

Mr. André van Kruijssen

Chairman, European Nursery Stock Association (Germany)

General Director, Veiling Holambra Cooperative (Brazil)

“The International Grower of the Year Awards 2020 received a high number of entries, all of which scored impressively against the assessment criteria.

The judging process was therefore more challenging but ultimately, this testifies to the achievement of winning an IGOTY Award. The IGOTY 2020 winners are worthy of this highly prestigious accolade.”

Tim Edwards, IGOTY Jury Chair

THE IGOTY ‘GOLD ROSE AWARD’ WINNERS 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Sylva van Hulle (Belgium) Hillier Nurseries (UK) Bylands (Canada) Sheridan Nurseries (Canada) Sheridan Nurseries (Canada)

THE IGOTY AWARDS 2020 ARE PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY Headline Partner

Founding Partner FCI

2014 Schoneveld Nurseries (the Netherlands) 2016 Costa Farms (USA) 2017 Flores El Capiro S.A. (Colombia) 2018 Ter Laak Orchids (the Netherlands) 2019 Gediflora (Belgium)

Sapphire Sponsors

Venue Partner and Ruby Sponsor

FloraCulture International WWW.FLORACULTUREINTERNATIONAL.COM

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I G OT Y AWA R D S 20 20

F I N A L I ST

Danziger works to create and grow remarkable flower varieties that help customers throughout the value chain achieve extraordinary success.

The company has five propagation facilities located in four countries, Israel, Guatemala, Kenya and Colombia. The company’s Guatemalan production site, Beauty Line Guatemala S.A., is one of the top production sites of the Danziger Group and produces unrooted cuttings (URC) and young annual and perennial plants for customers and partners around the world. More than 500 million cuttings of Danziger varieties are planted around the globe each year.

Kernock Park Plants is an independent wholesale producer of high-quality, young ornamental plants, based in the South West of England.

Trading for almost 40 years, Kernock Park Plants operate on a site with 4 hectares of protected growing area, predominantly in glasshouses, where over 12 million plants are produced in numerous formats and specifications to cater for a variety of customer requirements and situations.

Kernock Park Plants adopts a customer-centric stance which is supported by motivated and multi-skilled employees. The company’s vision epitomises in its mission statement: “Growing Great Plants with Service You Can Trust!”

Hangzhou Huazhiyun Agricultural Investment Co. Ltd. China Hanqzhou Huazhiyun is a leading independent company in the nursery and landscape industry and plays a role in the development of China’s tourism industry. The nursery covers 156 hectares of growing area with 2 hectares of greenhouse production and 1 million container plants including seedlings and hedge products.

Huazhiyun adheres to the concept of “Horticulture makes life better, let gardening enter your life”. The company vigorously advocates and adopts containerised cultivation, energy-saving innovations, extensive automation, water-saving irrigation systems and mechanised operations. Huazhiyun promotes recycling waste organic matter in the field and using bio-organic fertilisers and physical insecticidal technology. The company also offers its employees competitive career channels and salary guarantees.

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FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

F I N A L I ST

Founded in 1953, Danziger is one of the world’s most innovative floriculture companies. Danziger is engaged in the research, breeding, development, propagation, production and sale and marketing of varieties of cut flowers, annuals and perennials.

F I N A L I ST

Danziger, Israel

Kernock Park Plants Ltd, the UK

Anthura, the Netherlands Anthura is a worldwide specialist in anthuriums and orchids. As a breeder and propagator, Anthura is continuously working to develop new techniques, stimulate entrepreneurship and make the chain more sustainable.

Anthura reached a unique milestone for horticulture when its research and development department sequenced and mapped the DNA of orchids and anthuriums . The company has since invested in infrastructure, technology and people to translate this breakthrough into a more sustainable production of anthuriums and orchids.

Years of innovation and sustainable product development have resulted in an unlimited assortment of colourful varieties. Due to Anthura’s knowledge of genetics and its expert selection process, it offers customers robust plants in amazing colours with long flowering periods. Anthura stands for innovation, expertise, pragmatism and entrepreneurship which reflects in its motto: “Unlimited in Varieties, offering unlimited possibilities”.

F I N A L I ST

F I N A L I ST

F I N A L I ST

I G OT Y

BellaRosa, Ecuador BellaRosa has specialised in producing premium quality fresh cut roses to customers worldwide since 1996. The company has 60 hectares of greenhouses producing 113 varieties.

Today, BellaRosa is an expert in two new production lines of valueadded products, offering creativity and beauty with ‘tinted roses’, from single to multicolour, and ‘preserved roses’ of 33 different colours to which fragrance, glitter, glow, multicolours and flags can be added.

The company embraces nature and community, pioneering good environmental and social practices with a focus on integrated quality management, environment, health, occupational safety and social responsibility. BellaRosa believes and adopts the practice that ‘happy people work better’.

LVG Plants (Pty) Ltd. South Africa Mr Lourens van Geest established LVG in 1995. Today, the South African based company continues stewardship with his three sons and encompasses 50 hectares of production, including 111,000m2 of fully- automated greenhouses.

LVG offers an integrated value chain, from growing indoor plants through to marketing and sales. The company strives to be a reliable and innovative world-class grower and distributor of horticultural products in Southern Africa. The company aims to bring quality products to the market in a cost-effective and sustainable way in order to get maximum shelf life and value for both the retailer and end user. LVG promotes pot plants as gifts and decorative products and advocates their health benefits in the home and office.

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Find your opportunity at IHK2020 The Biggest flower exhibition in Korea!

F I N A L I ST

F I N A L I ST

I G OT Y AWA R D S 20 20

Miao Fu Holdings Co. Ltd. China Miao Fu Holdings is a leader in the Chinese nursery and landscape industry. The company operates more than 2,000 hectares of high standard flower and plant industrial parks across China.

Hasfarm Holdings, Hong Kong, China In 1994 Hasfarm Holdings established Dalat Hasfarm in Lam Dong, Vietnam. The company wanted to grow high-quality flowers for the Japanese market and, in Dalat, they found the ideal conditions of climate, land, water and skilled labour.

Twenty-five years of continued investment and entrepreneurship has led to eight large scale modern farms in Vietnam, China and Indonesia and Hasfarm’s sales and distribution in Vietnam, China and Japan. Today, Hasfarm has over 4,000 employees across five countries.

Through the company’s R&D platforms such as ‘Academician Expert Workstation”, Miao Fu Holdings has actively developed new varieties, technologies, products and models. The company has applied for more than 100 national invention patent technologies and reserved more than 5,000 new plant seed resources.

Miao Fu Holdings has a highly qualified workforce of 500 full-time and 5,000 part-time employees. The company advocates a culture of positivity and cooperation and successfully achieves consensus, co-creation, collaboration and sharing between enterprise and employees.

April 24 – May 10 Lake Park & Wondang Horticultural special zone,

F I N A L I ST

Goyang-si, Republic of Korea

Citrina, the Netherlands Citrina is one of the biggest Citrus wholesale growers in Europe, producing 1.5 million plants a year in four main pot sizes with distribution to 32 European countries. The company supplies the largest retailers in Europe.

To participate Tel. +82-31-908-7642, 7759 Email. suyoun_park@hotmail.com or flowergoyang@gmail.com Website : www.flowerbiz.or.kr

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FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

F I N A L I ST

Passionate about citrus plants, Citrina was inspired to create the Citrina family of miniature ornamental citrus plants. The company’s goal is to achieve improvements year on year. They are concentrating on improving the production and quality of products and the way the market perceives their products.

Oserian Development Company Limited, Kenya As a leading cut flower producer in Kenya, Oserian grows a wide range of cut flowers, including roses, statice and spray carnations. Oserian cultivates over 200 hectares of cut flowers and is one of the world’s largest Fairtrade cut flower producers.

Oserian embraces technology and innovation and encompasses eco-friendly processes to increase productivity and quality in a sustainable manner. Oserian has pioneered floriculture in Kenya and is an ethical leader in flower exports to Europe and other parts of the world.

Adding value through sales and marketing, Oserian engages with existing and potential clients on all elements of the marketing mix and works with stakeholders to meet and exceed customer expectations.

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High resistance to Impatiens downy mildew!

I PM ES S E N

Beacon brings garden impatiens walleriana back without the risk of disease! Breeder tests have proven Beacon’s high resistance to Impatiens downy mildew – from sowing all the way through the gardening season.

TOP FIVE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND IPM ESSEN

Beacon is easy to grow: It has the same plant structure, flowering time, flower size and culture as traditional garden impatiens.

For more information visit BeaconImpatiens.com

impatiens

Essen. IPM ESSEN is the world’s largest, most international and influential show on the horticultural calendar, covering the entire value chain of trees, plants and flowers, technology, floristry and point of sale. If your business is floriculture, then here are five reasons why you should be there.

AUTHOR: RON VAN DER PLOEG

panamseed.com

The 38th IPM ESSEN is returning to Essen, Germany from 28-31 January, 2020, staged by Messe

Specialized in the development of plant nutrition and substrates

1

PEOPLE

IPM ESSEN is by far the largest international event dedicated to the ornamental horticulture sector – so why wouldn’t you want to visit?

Last year, there were no fewer than 53,000 trade visitors and 1,500 plus exhibitors, occupying eight exhibition halls (ten if you include the floristry hall 1A at basement level and the Galleria exhibition corridor). But it’s not the number of people who attend that makes the show outstanding; it’s the quality.

As Jeroen Schilder, category manager at the Netherlands’s largest garden centre chain Intratuin puts it, “For buyers who specialise in sourcing plants from abroad the international IPM show is an absolute must see.”

What’s more, Germany is the top spender and largest importer when it comes to flowers and plants with one of the highest pro capita spending in the EU. By referencing a famous German car manufacturer’s slogan one could say: ‘Wir leben Pflanzen’ (‘We live plants’).

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INNOVATION

IPM ESSEN is where the entire ornamental horticulture community comes together to learn what’s new. At IPM ESSEN, you will witness some of the biggest product announcements of the year first hand. The event’s ‘cherry on the cake’ is

WILMA’S LAWN & GARDEN B.V.

the newest plants and flowers occupying pride of place in the IPM Novelty Showcase.

3

GLOBAL BUYING POWER

IPM ESSEN welcomes visitors from more than 100 countries.

The show attracts large delegations from around the world including Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, who are developing themselves as horticultural powerhouses. Standing out proudly are the show’s country pavilions with Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands traditionally prominently present. This year, France is the partner country of IPM ESSEN running an impressive country pavilion in halls 6 (breeders) and 7 (nursery stock).

4

EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION

True to tradition IPM ESSEN offers a top-notch educational programme including the Future Landscape Conference for nursery stock growers, contractors and landscapers, FDF’s floral design demonstrations, the ‘Sustainability at Municipal Level’ conference hosted by the Federation of German Nurseries and the annual meeting of the European Nursery Stock Association (ENA). The North Rhine-Westphalia Association for

Horticulture, Landscaping and Sports Field Construction will hold a conference on business succession planning.

Attending IPM ESSEN gives visitors a 24 months preview into the future. In the short term, you will see what’s coming to market in the run-up to the most essential floral holidays. The show’s Discovery Centre will focus on new findings and ideas for the successful marketing of horticultural products and services.

Dutch TV celebrity, trend watcher and garden stylist Romeo Sommers will be responsible for creative idea generation and implementation.

5

AWARDS

There are plenty of opportunities to inspire and celebrate new plants and concepts including the IPM Novelty Awards and the IPM Show Your Colours Award (organised by Messe Essen in cooperation with BIZZ Communications).

IPM Essen is host to the AIPH International Grower of the Year gala dinner. This glittering award ceremony recognises industry achievements. It is also the best chance to network with peers from around the world and share pride in the floriculture industry For more information and tickets visit: www.ipm-essen.de

Tel: 0031 (0)73 522 04 97 | www.wilmaslawnandgarden.com | sales@wilmalg.com WWW.FLORACULTUREINTERNATIONAL.COM

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T R E E N U R S E R I ES

VO I C ES

Tree liner production takes firm root at Israeli nursery Hochberg

PLANT HEALTH Fourth-generation Jan-Dieter Bruns is CEO of one of Germany’s leading plant nurseries Bruns Pflanzen.

In 1950, Aliz Hochberg started a small farm growing citrus and grapes in Moshav Bizaron in Israel. On this same land, his son Omer Hochberg is now leading one of the most well-known tree nurseries in the country: Hochberg

Jacaranda Bonsai Blue (‘Sakai01’).

Export Ornamental Plants Nurseries.

AUTHOR: KIM VAN RIJSSEN

PHOTOS: KIM VAN RIJSSEN AND HOCHBERG

PROMOTION

W

hen Omer joined the company in 1992, he realised that the local market was too competitive and too small for only fruit trees. In search of new opportunities, he travelled to Boskoop in The Netherlands to visit nurseries and see new products. “I knew we had added value because of the almost continuously warm climate in Israel”, he says.

Added to that, his family had had years of experience grafting and propagating trees. Omer then decided to transfer this knowledge to the production of ornamental trees. Hochberg is now propagating several species, of which Cercis, Lagerstroemia and Jacaranda are the company’s flagship products.

80% OF PLANTS ARE FIELD GROWN Hochberg Nurseries spans an area of about 65 hectares, on which 80% of the plants are grown in the field for export to the EU and USA. They ship about 1 million bareroot, washed young trees per year. For the local market, they annually grow around 75,000 large, finished trees in containers. Propagation is done throughout the year. Their delivery peak for export is in early spring.

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FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Lagerstroemeria is among Hochberg’s flagship products.

The average cycle for growing plants is 1 to 2 years.

PBR AND US PLANT PATENT Over the years, Hochberg built long term relationships with breeders and breeder agents worldwide. Most of the company’s assortment consists of varieties protected by PBR in the EU and US Plant Patent in the USA. Several varieties are also protected in Israel. The country has been a member of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) since the 1970s.

According to Idit Hochberg, who is responsible for domestic sales, PBR in Israel is easy to apply for and is generally respected by growers. Until a decade ago, PBR was not widely known, and the market in Israel did not ask for protected plants. Omer’s wife, Idit, says, “Landscapers used to ask for a certain pot size and a low price, that’s all. They did not care much about the characteristics of the plant. Nowadays, local governments plan further ahead and ask for highquality plants with specific features.”

The demand for landscaping plants is growing in Israel, partly caused by many new housing projects in recent years.

“We work closely with the local authorities and inform them of the advantages of the cultivars we grow. We supply trees that can last longer, that are stronger, and that fit perfectly in their long-term landscaping design”, says Idit.

Hochberg does not do active promotion of their varieties online. Omer believes that the most useful advertising is to visit customers frequently. “Our customers need to see the plants.

We need to see people. Then you create the right synergy. There is no replacement for that”.

Another way to keep your customers coming back is to make sure that they can rely on you by consistently delivering high-quality products. Selecting the best cultivars is one way.

Another is to make sure that all plants are exported following the high-level standards required by the EU and the USDA. These regulations tend to change regularly, so the Hochberg team

is always keeping an eye out for the latest developments. Their key to success, adds Omer, is to look to the future and always try to innovate as a business.

FAMILY-OWNED The company consists of 45 employees, making Hochberg one of the largest ornamental tree nurseries in the country. As it is not easy to hire local staff, a part of their team has been recruited from Thailand. Idit is proud to have such a motivated and hardworking team. She considers it an advantage to be a family-owned business. “As a family, we put all our heart, ability and love in the business. It is a beautiful thing to see your company grow and to build a future together.”

DROUGHT AND WATER SHORTAGES Drought and water shortages used to be a significant problem for nurseries across Israel. Over the last decades, the country has invested a lot in recycled and desalinated water, making Israel one of the leading countries in the usage of recycled water.

Most of this water is used for agricultural irrigation. Even though water shortage is no longer an issue, Hochberg still focuses on conserving water. They use, for example, mostly drip irrigation to avoid wasting water.

Pictured left to right are Galit Amitai, Amihai Shargal, Orit Hugi, Idit Hochberg, Omer Hochberg, Rava Avni, Amos Avraham, Tomer Segal and David Gali.

Climate change and global trade are drawing the attention of the public and the tree nursery sector to a new problem of plant health.

There are reports of an increase of foreign bugs and germs arriving into the European Union territory, and many of them are harmful. The best-known examples are the Asian longhorn beetle and the Chinese citrus beetle. The bacteria Xylella fastidiosa is currently causing particular headaches.

It would be wrong to claim that the international plant trade is not a possible gateway to the spread of such harmful organisms. However, the nursery industry, in particular, is endeavouring to avoid the spread of the pathogens. To this end, nurseries are cooperating closely with the EU plant protection authorities. The EU nursery industry and European Commission are working together on various research projects to counter and prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

Local companies have also become highly sensitised and are now carefully carrying out on-site inspections of delivered plants.

This set of measures is showing a success. Up to now, the spread of plant pests has been largely avoided by the legal plant trade. In Germany, for example, illegal plant imports by tourists, and not nurseries, brought the Asian longhorn beetle and Xylella fastidiosa over, because if these organisms had been transported the international industrial goods traffic legally would have picked up the problem immediately.

However, we also see a continued high need for plant health education, particularly at garden centres and DIY stores to monitor certain crops even better than before in phytosanitary terms. These include, for example, some of the Xylella host plants such as olives and lavender.

In this context, it is correct that the EU plant passport has been extended to all plant products. Traceability makes it possible to trace any paths of introduction precisely. The extent to which the high level of bureaucracy associated with the amendment of the plant passport is necessary remains to be seen. In any case, the nursery industry is in favour of pragmatic changes if nonsensical regulatory obstacles arise in the coming weeks.

All in all, we must continue to inform businesses and the public about the importance of prudent plant trade within the European Union. We are on the right track, but we need much more government support in the form of a campaign and financial support for specific plant protection measures to ensure that the plant trade remains safe in the future.

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RUSSIA

Miniature roses, from Russia with love A prime example of vertical integration and Russian self-sufficiency, Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex produces potted roses for the domestic market, which it serves through its wholesale distribution arm Da!rosa. FCI travelled 250km northeast of Moscow to Yaroslavl to meet agronomist Larisa Zimina and forewoman Suzanna Eritsyan who tend the company’s roses in a highly modern production environment.

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RUSSIA

AUTHOR: RON VAN DER PLOEG PHOTOS: RON VAN DER PLOEG

RUSSIA

At Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex quality reigns supreme and every stage of the growing process emphasises this goal.

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T

he historic town of Yaroslavl is a UNESCO World Heritage city and home to 17th-century churches and convents.

It is also a vital part of Russia’s industrial and agricultural landscape with the vast Slavnet Yaroslavl refinery and Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex being two important engines for economic growth.

Yaroslavl is located at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl Rivers and the latest venture of Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex – to provide a constant supply of local potted roses all year round – is a confluence of its own. Here, Russian horticultural entrepreneurs meet regularly with international industry peers creating a convergence of different business cultures with German rose varieties, Danish cultivation expertise, Dutch horticultural technology and French plant pots.

distributed over a wider space while for cut roses you can literally walk in between the crop.”

CULTURAL PRACTICE

VENLO GREENHOUSE

Perched on a hilltop, the new standalone greenhouse, built in 2017 and spanning 1.6ha, overlooks Greenhouse Combination Yaroslavl’s core business: tomatoes, cucumber and lettuce, grown in a 17 ha expanse of greenhouses stretching in all directions in the valley below.

“Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex is part of fresh produce giant Gorkunov Holding (box) and is

In 2017, greenhouse construction and engineering company Hortilife from the Netherlands completed the Venlo type greenhouse with clear glass -148 metres wide by 180 metres long and 6 metres to the gutter. In this sophisticated greenhouse, the environment is controlled precisely with a modern computer system matching climate, energy and irrigation requirements.

“It all boils down to producing high-quality roses with minimal energy consumption,” says Larisa pointing to double climate screens that strongly aid the reduction of heating costs in winter. Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex uses gas-fired heaters with gas costing around 0.08 euro cents (!)/m3.

“Running a greenhouse business in a country with the world’s biggest natural gas reserve comes with some additional benefits,” jokes Larisa who adds that contrary to Russia’s reputation for deep freeze and blizzards, winters in Yaroslavl have become more warm and cloudy.

“Something is definitely happening.

In the past, temperatures could drop well below minus 30°C, while we can now see warmer winter periods with minus 15°C or 20°C.” The natural light sum in Yaroslavl is insufficient to meet plant

FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

the company’s sole activity in ornamentals. The potted rose division is the brainchild of the holding’s founder Boris Vasilevich

Gorkunov,” says the company’s agronomist, Kazakhstan-born Larisa Zimina.

Prior to moving to Yaroslavl, Larisa acquired experience in cut rose cultivation working for the 14ha OOO Trubacheva Greenhouse Complex in her beloved Tomsk, the old Siberian town known for its wooden architecture. “The knowledge and skills built up in Tomsk surely helped me to get the job here. Cut and potted roses might stem from the same genus, but cultural practice in containerised roses is different in some ways.

Potted roses grown on rolling benches automatically require more frequent watering and thus more fertilising, timely spacing and more careful monitoring of light and temperature. Moveable containers might make optimum use of floor space but also makes scouting for pests and diseases more challenging as the crop is

needs in winter. In December, for example, there are only 6 hours and 33 minutes of daylight. Light in the greenhouse is increased by using HPS lamps. Larisa and her team follow the different LED lighting trials at Dutch rose farms and research institutes, but so far she prefers HPS lamps as they generate both light and much wanted radiant heat in the winter.

GERMAN DANISH AND RUSSIAN PARTNERSHIP Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex chose to work in partnership with rose breeder Kordes from Germany (known for its outstanding Kordana

Plants are ready for their first pruning by an automatic pruning machine.

Yellow sticky cards capture greenhouse insect pests and reduce the use of plant protection products.

potted rose genetics) and their Danish partner company and potted rose grower RosaDanica.

“A special thanks must go to Torben Moth from Rosa Danica for his tireless work and technical assistance he continues to put in,” Larisa urges us to note as she and her colleague Suzanna have such fond memories of their training week in Denmark which helped to deepen their understanding of potted rose growing.

At Yarolslavl Greenhouse Complex, there are 11 and six varieties in the Kordana Classic and Kordana Grande collections respectively. Larisa: “Sales of Grande roses are limited as they must be grown in 12cm pots.

This series requires space which is not always available. In the Classic range ‘Apache’, ‘Felicitá’, ‘Sunstar’, ‘Pasadena’ and ‘Melody’ are among our bestsellers. All together we grow 2 million pots per year.”

Botanically speaking a woody shrub, miniature roses must be ‘tamed’ when grown in pots without compromising the balance between the size of the plant and the pot. “Customer satisfaction is our greatest compliment. A great potted rose has a well-developed root system, compact growth habit, bold flower colours, large flower heads, beautifully contrasting lush green foliage and is smothered with love during its cultivation time,” laughs Larisa.

A dose of ‘vegetal affection’ is provided by mechanical

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RUSSIA

conditioning – a spray boom cladded with plastic foil overhead ‘patting’ the crop and thus causing reduced plant growth. “It’s a much more environmentally friendly way to obtain tidy, compact plants in combination with the traditional PGRs which are now less needed.”

GROWING PROCESS Mechanical conditioning aside, the company’s approach to production is more or less basic. Propagation begins by placing four pre-treated and pre-cooled cuttings into a 10.5cm pot. Larisa says they prefer a well-drained peat mix with about 10% perlite and a pH of 5.5 and a soluble salts level of 1.0/1.5.

Wells provide the primary source of fresh irrigation water with the company regularly monitoring the source for electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and nutrient content.

Larisa says, “We buy it from a local supplier who provides data on water quality measurements. Overall, it’s high-quality irrigation water, and it’s cheaper than municipal water.”

Eco-consciousness is growing in Russia, slowly but steadily. “As such, we use yellow sticky cards to capture greenhouse insect pests and reduce the use of plant protection products,” explains Larisa.

Most of the time, the company is self-sufficient in cuttings, but when setting up a new variety, initial cuttings are sourced from Denmark.

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RUSSIA

Newly stuck roses are covered with a punched plastic sheet and placed in the rooting zone where the temperature is maintained at 26°C while the crop receives 20 hours of light each day with maximum light levels of 7,000 lux.

After approximately two weeks, the plastic sheeting is removed with plants moving to a 20°C to 24°C growth zone with full light.

To avoid too much solar radiation in the growing season, the grower uses a combination of climate curtains and Redusol whitewash on the roofs.

Another two weeks pass by before the plants are ready for their first pruning by an automatic pruning machine. Cuttings are placed into bags and stored in a cooler at 3°C for a maximum of four to five days after which a pool of cheerful ladies cut them into four or five smaller cuttings.

After shearing, plants are kept 10 to 14 days in full light to regenerate and form new shoots. As foliage redevelops, pots need to be moved to final spacing (once in winter, twice in summer). A spacing of 2 cm between pots is sufficient. Choosing slightly wider spacing increases airflow, which may prevent fungal infections such as Botrytis. At the final stage of the growing process, plants are harvested, cleaned and packed into the company’s carton, palletised boxes (initially they

FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Left to right forewoman Suzanna Eritsyan and agronomist Larisa Zimina.

used Danish trolley to truck their plants but following frequent frost damage in winter they switched to carton boxes).

SYNERGY One bench usually produces enough cuttings to fill one bench with finished products.

“Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex as a combined greenhouse production facility for fresh produce and potted roses makes sense,” Larisa explains, “The city is ideally located to serve Moscow’s large customer base with over 18 million consumers residing in the capital’s metropolitan area.”

A mini-village of greenhouses also reduces per unit production costs by combined purchasing of inputs sharing labour and sales platforms.

Significant synergy exists between the produce and floral supply chains with large retail customers offering both produce and floral in their stores. Now that Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex has added potted roses to its product portfolio, it can offer supermarket chains such as Obi, Karousel, K Rayta and Perkrestok a deeper level of value.

“However, we are specialists in that we are only growers. Logistics and product sales are the responsibility of Moscow-based floral wholesale company Da!rosa (Say Yes to the

Rose) whose orders come in on a daily basis.”

This integrated business model gives the company a better understanding of clients and their needs and helps to build long-standing relationships. Larisa continues, “For transportation the company makes use of different road haulage services with the roses trucked either directly to the retailer’s distribution centre or to Da!rosa’s warehouse who groups the plants together with a wide variety of other ornamentals for customers across the country, sometimes more than 2,000 km away.”

BOOMING BLOOMS “Business is going well”, says Larisa, “we’re experiencing fluctuations in demand like any other greenhouse grower. We always need to balance production for Russia’s quintessential floral holidays, International Women’s Day and Knowledge Day with day-to-day demand that is fuelled by the hospitality, events and home décor industry. Right after International Women’s Day (March 8), for example, sales are quiet for two to three weeks after which they pick up in Spring.”

To date, Yaroslavl Greenhouse Complex is Russia’s sole large-scale greenhouse producer of potted miniature roses. However, further growth of the country’s 140ha of ornamentals under glass (of which 90% are dedicated to cut roses) is expected. Overall, Russia’s agriculture sector is booming, which is due to the government’s policy in response to sanctions. The policy of import substitution has definitely proved its worth in the fresh produce sector with greenhouse production expanding from 2300 ha in 2013 to 2500 ha in 2019.

Larisa notes, “I guess the government also notices that in fresh produce we are now around 80% self- sufficient and that it might be time to consider support for the ornamentals sector which so far is void of direct subsidies.”

On the topic of subsidies, Larisa references the state support programme for greenhouse vegetable production, which included a 20% reimbursement of costs and preferential investment loans from 2014-2018. Last year, cost reimbursement changed to 10% while the term of preferential loans was prolonged from 8 to 12 years.

With or without subsidies, Larisa continues to be optimistic about the future of potted roses in the Russian

market as roses are the single most popular flowers amongst consumers. Potted roses are easy to care for, relatively cheap compared to potted orchids, have a profusion of flowers and a long shelf life.

It is hard not to love them. The company has put their trust in the product with a major expansion of their Novosibirsk greenhouses underway. One section will be used for the production of roses, as cut flowers and potted plants.”

Wholesale orders go out today and the packing area is filled with local workers who keep the stream going.

GORKUNOV GROUP QUICK FACTS Founded: 2011 Business owner: Mr Boris Vasilevich Gorkunov, former vice governor of Sachalin island and with an impressive track record in fishery (black caviar) and large-scale greenhouse production of tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.

Number of greenhouse complexes: 4 of which 17ha in Novosibirsk, 16.6 ha in Yaroslavl, 17 ha in Tolmachevsky and 8,8 ha in Smolensk.

Products: cucumbers (80%), lettuce (12%) and tomatoes, cut roses and potted roses (8%).

Annual output: 60,000 tonnes of fresh produce.

Number of employees: 1,000

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SMART FERTILISING

of mind with fertilisers that can be used in a far more cost-efficient, labour-saving and eco-friendly way. From the first generation coated Osmocote NPK granule to the fourth generation Osmocote Exact DCT with a programmed nutrient release that is nearly as accurate as a Swiss watch: Osmocote has come a long way.

AUTHOR: RON VAN DER PLOEG PHOTOS: ICL

Fertilising with finesse

Osmocote provides growers of containerised nursery stock and potted plants peace

I

was just a teenage boy during the 1970s, helping my dad run the rose nursery, trying to make a little bit more money for the family. I remember shovelling mushroom compost, back then a beneficial slow-release organic plant fertiliser as older growers will appreciate, into the wheelbarrow and work it into the rose beds as a soil amendment. What a job that was!

Apart from the hard work, the overall composition of spent mushroom compost varied, and the substrate’s high soluble salt level required growers to exercise caution. Not to mention the necessity of the tetanus shot that needed to be up to date as horse manure was one of the substrate’s major ingredients!

A visit to the Heerlen-based manufacturing operations of ICL, a leading global specialty minerals and specialty chemicals company and owners since 2011 of the iconic Osmocote brand, transported me back in time and made me realise what incredible improvements there have been when it comes to fertilisers and ornamental horticulture.

HUGE PROGRESS Huge progress is also what Gerard Klein Onstenk, Global Category Manager and International Marketing Manager for ICL’s Specialty Fertilisers division, sees among Osmocote users: growers of Containerised Nursery Stock (CNS) as well as potted plants, bedding plants and perennials.

“Progress is made not only in terms of business size and the number of plants grown but also capabilities, technical knowledge and skills. Today growers take a more holistic approach to fertiliser closely analysing soil, growing media and water as these are also important components of a balanced feed programme,” says Klein Onstenk while taking me on a tour of

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FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

ICL’s impressive manufacturing plant situated in the most southern part of the Netherlands.

Osmocote has evolved in tandem with the maturing industry with ICL hiring scientists to apply their academic knowledge to real-world horticultural problems and develop products that meet a specific need while factoring in business considerations. “ ‘We’re growing together’ is not something that we say just for the sake of it,” stresses Klein Onstenk with reference to the 1970s when Bob Severn, then-president of the Sierra Chemical Company, adapted the ‘Going to the growers’ tagline for the Osmocote business. “Our technical staff visit and work closely with growers representing the big names in the European nursery stock industry.

But our specialist advisers are equally happy to travel to more remote parts of the countryside to visit a small-scale grower or farmer,” says Klein Onstenk clarifying that the folks at Osmocote keep their feet in as well as on the ground. “Our brand inspires customer loyalty, and that’s something we are extremely proud of. On the occasion of Osmocote’s 50th anniversary in 2017,

for example, we found many growers willing to give a good product testimonial. That’s not something that we take for granted,” says Klein Onstenk, whose horticulture career spans thirty years with a variety of commercial roles in the fertilising and growing media industry.

INNOVATION A relentless focus on customers – read growers – and their specific needs keep ICL and its household brand, Osmocote, innovating.

“Our first-generation coated fertiliser, a coated NPK granule, more commonly known as Osmocote (1967), was succeeded by second-generation Osmocote Pro (1983) which saw the addition of magnesium and trace elements. What followed were Osmocote Exact (2002) and Osmocote Exacte DCT (2008) heralding Osmocote’s third and fourth generation - fertilisers of extreme finesse,” summarises Klein Onstenk of Osmocote’s timeline.

Exact and Exact DCT’s key to success is the patterned and programmed release technology, respectively. Klein Onstenk: “It would be too simplistic to

ICL is a global specialty minerals and chemicals company operating bromine, potash, and phosphate mineral value chains in a unique, integrated business model. ICL extracts raw materials from well-positioned mineral assets and utilizes technology and industrial know-how to add value for customers in key agricultural and industrial markets worldwide. ICL focuses on strengthening leadership positions in all of its core value chains. It also plans to strengthen and diversify its offerings of innovative agro solutions by leveraging ICL’s existing capabilities and agronomic know-how. ICL shares are dually listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NYSE and TASE: ICL). The company employs more than 11,000 people worldwide, and its sales in 2018 totalled approximately $5.6 billion.

For more information: www.icl-group.com.

WWW.FLORACULTUREINTERNATIONAL.COM

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say that the two prior generations are becoming old and old-fashioned.

They are not. Both Osmocote and Osmocote Pro are good products performing their basic task – efficient nutrient release.

Nonetheless, they show some fluctuations in release. So we put ourselves to the test by developing a technology which would result in a guaranteed release pattern. It sounded impossible, but we did it!”

The pre-defined, steady release of Osmocote Exact ensures crop safety and gives plants the nutrients they need when they need them.

Osmocote Exact Double Coating Technology (DCT) goes the extra mile offering growers truly programmed release patterns.

“DCT is a second coating applied around the Osmocote Exact granule and delays the nutrient release for up to three months, depending on the product. As such, it makes the ideal fertiliser for CNS which is potted in the autumn and in winter.

The second, waxy and therefore difficult to apply coating, ensures lower EC levels at the beginning of the cultivation period, thus easier

Perfect timing, perfect growth.

COLOUR TRACERS FOR EASY RECOGNITION Osmocote fertilisers are available in five different longevities: 3-4. 5-6, 8-9, 12-14 and 16-18 months. So there’s an Osmocote for every situation and crop type.

The colour coding on the packaging indicates the longevity. Osmocote Exact and Osmocote Exact DCT products also contain colour tracers for easy recognition.

OSMOCOTE WORKING PRINCIPLES Osmocote coated fertilisers contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

1 Every granule is covered by an organic resin coating that regulates the daily release of nutrients to the plant.

2 Granules contain NPK, B, fe, Mn, Mo and Zn. 3 Water penetrates the coating and dissolves the nutrients inside the granule.

4 Osmotic pressure releases the dissolved nutrients through the granule coating.

5 Influenced by temperature, the nutrients are released at a constant, regular and controlled rate during the longevity.

6 Once empty, the coating eventually breaks down.

and better rooting of crops and will ultimately come in with greater release in the second growth stage when plants need it,” outlines Klein Onstenk adding that since third generation and fourth generation Osmocote appeared on the market, grower complaints were reduced to almost zero.

A MINI GREEN REVOLUTION OF ITS OWN Different people and products contributed greatly to the advancement in the understanding of plant nutrition. German chemist Justus von Liebig (1803-1873), for example, discovered the vital role of nitrogen as an essential plant nutrient, while in 1842 Sir John Bennett Lawes from the UK patented a process for treating phosphate rock with sulfuric acid to produce superphosphate. German chemist and Nobel Prize winner Fritz Haber developed a method for producing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen in 1913, which could be used to manufacture artificial fertiliser. If all these agronomists made history – Osmocote sparked a mini green revolution of its own in 1967.

Tailored to meet the specific needs of different crops, Osmocote was Europe’s first Controlled Release Fertiliser (CRF) that offered growers precision nutrition, that is, a high quality fertiliser encased in a semi-permeable soy extract coating delivering nutrients to plants over a

defined and extended period .

Its working principles are as follows: as water permeates through the coating, it dissolves the nutrients which are subsequently released into the soil due to osmotic pressure and dissolve.

Depending on the product mix, Osmocote’s longevity varies. A colour coating in the Osmocote Exact range makes for easy recognition: red for three-four months, brown for five-six months, blue for eight-nine months and yellow for 12-14 months.

Salinity, pH, water quality and rain do not have an impact on Osmocote CRF. Its nutrient release is driven by average soil temperature: the higher the temperature, the faster the nutrient release.

Last summer, record temperatures were broken across Western Europe. As temperatures soared countries such as Belgium, France and the Netherlands sweltered in the heat of over 40 degrees for the first time. With that in mind, Klein Onstenk ensured that Osmocote proved its performance in extreme heat. “Osmocote’s Exact nutrient release remained secure and controlled. We haven’t seen any major problems. However, extreme heat means it is extremely important to keep an eye out for thirsty plants and water well. Different issues, of course, arise when drought-stricken growers do not have enough water to irrigate.”

Visit us at IPM! Hall 3 stand 3B57

Ensure perfect timing of nutrient release.

Growing the ‘perfect plant’ is all about timing of nutrient release. Plants have different nutritional needs in each growth stage. Osmocote Exact are the only CRF that can match these needs. Thanks to precision programmed technology, Osmocote Exact releases the right amount of the right nutrients at the right time.

Giving plants exactly what they need, from rooting to finishing.

Find out more at www.icl-sf.com/osmocoteexact

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RUBRIEK

SMART FERTILISING

SEEING IS BELIEVING Osmocote granules contain primary nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) and, depending on the product, they mostly also contain secondary magnesium and trace elements. ICL’s mineral division extracts the raw materials, which subsequently are granulated and blended by using a rotating drum.

All this is done offshore by third party suppliers.

“Eventually, the granules arrive at our manufacturing operations in Heerlen – one of the two Osmocote factories in the world. Here they enter, advanced, automated coating lines,” explains Klein Onstenk. “We are specialists. This means that the processing technology is extremely sophisticated, backed by over 50 years of research and development and a database of historical information and references. Equally important is the right starting material, the perfect granule is freeflowing, dustless, has no impurities and no air bubbles.”

But success breeds imitators.

“There are many coated fertilisers on the market, but there’s only one Osmocote,” ensures Klein Onstenk who admits that ‘seeing is believing’. Result as well as method demonstration is a very effective tool to promote the use of Osmocote.

“We set a sizeable number of trials with growers around the world.

Interestingly, this has led to the discovery of additional benefits of Osmocote. We found that a disturbed nutrient release has a huge influence on fungal development such as Phytophthora, but also more risk on leaf necrosis and leaf spotted fungi.

As such, third and fourth generation Osmocote has taken the guesswork out with nutrient release patterns guaranteed month to month.”

DYNAMIC MARKET SECTOR Ornamental plant production is a global and very dynamic market sector, Klein Onstenk says. “Geographically speaking Osmocote customers are spread around the world from Malaysia to Ukraine, from China to Russia.

The European market, however, continues to be the largest market, dominated by demand from the old continent’s epicentre of nursery

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stock products such as Boskoop, Zundert, Pistoia, Wetteren, Pays de Loire and Valencia, with Central and Eastern Europe significantly contributing to new growth. Klein Onstenk: “Many CNS growers use Osmocote. However, ICL Osmocote PrePlant (17-18-10+2MgO+TE) has been developed for field-grown trees and shrubs. Applied only once around the roots, it has three-year longevity.”

Rising input costs, environmental pressure and above all labour shortage are among the main challenges for the nursery stock businesses,” says Klein Onstenk who argues that the world’s dependence on mineral fertilisers is also becoming an issue. Think China, which to date is the largest producer and consumer of chemical fertilisers in the world.

While nitrogen can be synthesised from the air, potassium and phosphorus must be mined in the form of potash and phosphate rock and these our limited resources.

As such, he thinks there’s never been a better time to promote Osmocote. “More recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF), has given a special mention to ICL Specialty Fertilizers. This is for the way that we manufacture crop nutrition products with nutrientrelease rates precisely formulated to suit the needs of specific crops or growing conditions. The job of Osmocote is threefold. One is to provide plants with crop nutrition as accurately as is costeffective. The other is to reduce the environmental impact from wasted or unabsorbed nutrients leaching away.”

On November 12, 2019, a food truck drove to the front of the ICL office in Heerlen, offering all employees free French fries. It marked a special day as early that morning the first test batches of Osmocote’s fifth-generation began to roll off the production line. “The only thing I can say is that we see more and more of a move towards technology fertilisers. We are all pretty excited about this new product. Next year, we will be thoroughly testing this new product with growers. Pretty safe to say that we anticipate the same excitement at nursery level.”

Gerard Klein Onstenk, Global Category Manager and International Marketing Manager for ICL’s Specialty Fertilisers division.

BRAND RECOGNITION While 1967 is widely regarded as the birth year of Osmocote when US agricultural business Sierra introduced the first generation of Osmocote coated fertilisers, the controlled release technology was invented two years earlier by the Archer Daniels Midland Corporation.

Since then, mergers and acquisitions have been part of the Osmocote business. In 1989, Sierra’s two major shareholders retired and sold their shares to WR Grace: Grace Sierra is born. Five years later Scotts Professionals acquires Grace Sierre and adds Osmocote and water-soluble fertiliser Peters to its portfolio. 2011 marks the year ICL acquired Scotts Professional products including Osmocote, its R&D and production sites.

The newly established company is named Everris.

But not for long as in 2015 ICL decided to rebrand Everiss as ICL. The brand identity of Osmocote fertiliser is still going strong after 53 years and has survived no fewer than four acquisitions.

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NOVELTIES

VO I C ES

FROM ELLEPOT 100% DIGITAL ORDERS AND COMPULSORY ECO CERTIFICATION Royal FloraHolland’s slogan is ‘Flowering the World’. In support of that,

ELLEPOT ORGANIC 2.0 FOR PROPAGATION

ambition is an active collaboration with our growers and buyers. In 2020, digital transformation and sustainability will change the way we work together.

The first change involves digitising all orders to hit 100% digital by the end of 2020. This change marks the next step in the digital transformation of the floriculture industry. Digitisation increases the efficiency and speed of both supply and demand. This acceleration matches Royal FloraHolland’s strategy perfectly, with digital transformation being one of the key pillars. In addition, European legislation regarding financial services has been tightened. Using Floriday and placing orders through digital sales channels is the most appropriate route to comply with this legislation.

It means that we will be taking an important step forward as an industry by the end of 2020. From that moment onwards, all direct transactions will take place via Floriday and sales channels FloraMondo, FloraXchange, Blueroots or an (API) link. In respect of our growers, this means that their entire supply for direct trade will then be processed via Floriday. For all trading parties this means that from the end of 2020, their orders via Royal FloraHolland can only be placed via a digital sales channel. This change will significantly accelerate our digital strategy. It goes without saying that we will do this in close collaboration, and that Royal FloraHolland in its role within the industry, will help growers and buyers to make this next step in the digital transformation a success.

The second change involves eco-certification. Royal FloraHolland will require phased environmental registration and certification for all growers (members and non-members) supplying flowers and plants to the marketplace. By 31 December 2021 at the latest, all suppliers must have a market-compliant environmental certificate. This certification is a milestone in making the sector more sustainable and keeps it possible to flowering the world also in the future. The market demands transparency with production and operations.

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FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

The mandatory environmental certificate will be introduced gradually. The first step is digital environmental registration for all marketplace suppliers by 31 December 2020 at the latest. Subsequently, after 31 December 2021, having a market-compliant environmental certificate will be made compulsory for all suppliers to Royal FloraHolland. The third step will be to ensure that growers meet all FSI sustainability standards set in the floriculture industry. This will concern not only the environmental field but will also include Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and corporate social responsibility. No date has currently been set for this step. For this final step, Royal FloraHolland will start a dialogue with FSI about the standards that will apply to growers after 2020. The ambition is to meet all FSI standards in the long term.

Royal FloraHolland will be prominently present at the forthcoming IPM Essen show in Germany. We are available to inform you about the developments and discuss how we can help you to be ready for the future looking forward to meet you.

Fred van Tol Manager International Development Royal FloraHolland

NEW ELLEPOT ORGANIC 2.0 PAPER LAUNCH AT IPM 2020 Ellepot ORGANIC 2.0 is the ultimate game-changer The world’s first certified, sustainably harvested and 100% bio-degradable product that assures best environmental practice in organic cultivation as well as outstanding production efficiency. The patented ELLEPOT ORGANIC 2.0 paper is certified according to the highest environmental industry standards.

• 100% biodegradable • 100% compostable • Made of wood fibers from well-managed FSC®-certified forests and other controlled sources • Decomposition time approx 2 months Come and see us at IPM 2020 at our stand no: 3C21

GROW SMARTER at www.ellepot.com

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AUTHOR & PHOTOS: RON VAN DER PLOEG

FLOWER SHOW TURKEY EURASIA PLANT FAIR

E XPOSURE

50

Turkey’s fledgeling ornamental horticulture industry has made significant progress since the first large-scale flower and plant nurseries emerged in the late 1980s. Fuelling the sector’s growth in the last 11 years is the Flower Show Turkey/Eurasia Plant Fair which was held at Istanbul’s Tüyap Exhibition Centre from November 14-16, 2019.

Next time your Istanbul-bound flight has landed and is taxiing at the city’s brand new airport, look outside. With a bit of luck, you will be able to see the grand façade of Turkish Cargo’s ultra-modern 300,000m2 cargo terminal including a 5,000m2 constant-climate perishable centre. It’s a clear sign that Turkey is ready to take on its logistics role in the global cut flower and ornamental plant trade.

Exhibitors and visitors at Turkey’s annual Flower Show Turkey/Eurasia Plant Fair have even bigger ambitions for the future.

Take the Central Anatolian Exporter’s Union (OAIB) and its Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters Union (also known as Turkish Flowers), which repeated its extremely ambitious target to increase export revenues from $99.3 million in 2017 to $500 million in 2023, the centenary anniversary of the Turkish republic.

OAIB’s plans can be seen in the context of much broader attempts by the country’s President Recep Erdogan to ensure Turkey joins the world’s top 10 economies when the country marks the centenary of the republic. Launched by the Turkish Ministry of Economy and Turkish Exporters Assembly in 2009, the Turkish Exports Strategy for 2023 aims at reaching 500 billion dollars of exports volume in 2023.

The year of national celebrations should Turkey see taking a 1.5% share from the world’s trade while reaching an 80% import/export ratio. The economy needs a shift in production from low to high productivity goods to achieve such growth, as well as improvements in automation and technology and a strong focus on R&D. While the ornamental horticultural industry is no stranger to technological change, you won’t yet find robotic arms, drones, unmanned tractors and the internet of things in Turkey’s wholesale plant nurseries at the moment. What’s more, the country has entered a prolonged period of lira weakness with a strong dollar triggering the currency’s fall, and that’s bad news for Turkish trade. Think investors who are increasingly worried that Turkish companies that borrowed money may not

FLORACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

be able to keep up with their repayments in dollars and euros as the weakened lira means there is now more to pay back.

“A weak lira is good for us as a cheaper currency makes my flowers more cost-competitive versus international trade partners and supports Turkish export growth,” explains Abdulhamit Başkurt, a Turkish Flowers board member. He continues, “On the other hand, the depreciation of the lira pushes up import prices.

It’s now more expensive to buy young plants, fertilisers, growing media and other supplies in euros. So a weak lira brings some instant satisfaction but no happiness in the long run.”

Başkurt sells his MPS-ECAS certified Ranunculus, Ornithogalum and Dianthus Green Trick through Royal FloraHolland, the Dutch cooperative that registered him as a full member in 2017. He grows his flowers on 8.5 ha of land in Alanya against the backdrop of blocks of holiday resorts and takes great pleasure in his floral job despite spiking electricity prices and scarcity of land. He says just ten dekar (1ha) is already hard to find and if you do so it is only available for rent which doesn’t make for a serious business investment.

With Dianthus being a quintessential British flower with UK-based Flamingo IPL sourcing sizeable numbers of his flowers, Başkurt thinks Brexit Britain will promote trade with Turkey to compensate for the anticipated loss within the EU zone.

“Improving its relationships with Turkey over the past two years, the UK has identified Turkey as one of three target markets.

Ultimately, the goal is to boost the UK’s export sales. However, it may also allow Turkey to strengthen its position in the UK’s floral supply chain as a weaker lira has made our flowers more affordable.”

Meeting with the international trade press, Ismael Yilmaz, chairman of Turkish Flowers and board member of AIPH, says Turkey is making significant progress in the export arena. He points to the latest data from OIAB that shows the country’s share in the world flower trade is increasing year over year. For 2019, it is estimated that the

Despite Turkey’s economic tough times, the 11th edition of Flower Show Turkey/Eurasia Plant fair attracted around 16,000 buyers in three days.

Adem Karacadagli (left) of Flower King BV and Ismael Hakki were happy with the foot traffic at their stand.

Cutting-ribbon ceremony with left to right Zekeriya Aytemur-Tarsus Turkey, Ahmet Dündar – SÜSBİR, İbrahimSönmez – Consultant to the President, Ali SUKAS – İstanbul Ağaç ve Peyzaj A.Ş, Savaş Akcan – Türktob, İsmail Yilmaz – Süs Bitkileri ve Mamülleri İhracatçıları Birliği, Murat Ermeydan – PMO and Mehmet Eri̇ ş – Mayor of Ödemiş.

Wiebke Leuchten of Flower Republic, a network of (Ecuadorian) rose growers and traders, was at hand to reinforce the first word in the Flower Show Turkey brand name.

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J A N UA R Y 2 0 2 0

14-17. FRANCE

Ismael Yilmaz, chairman of Turkish Flowers and board member of AIPH, said that Turkey is making significant progress in the export arena.

value of floral exports from Turkey will reach $110 million, an increase of over $52 million since 2010.

Yilmaz went on to say that ornamentals production increased by 9.8% from 2013 with production areas expanding across all ornamental categories except bulbs. At present, Turkey has 3,626 ha dedicated to nursery stock, 1174 ha to cut flowers, 165 ha to indoor plants and 42 ha to flower bulbs. The total area of ornamental production is 5008 ha. with Izmir (nursery stock and cut flowers), Sakarya (nursery stock), Antalya (cut flowers, young plants and nursery stock), Yalova (nursery stock), Bursa (nursery stock), Edirne (nursery stock), Isparta (cut flowers) and Adana (nursery stock).

Yilmaz describes the per capita consumption of flowers and plants in Turkey as ‘moderately dynamic’, being €4 per capita. “There is still plenty of room for business growth with supermarkets being a somewhat untapped outlet for cut flowers although BIM and Aldi run their floral departments,” notes Yilmaz.

The nature of the Turkish ornamentals - nursery stock plants, cut flowers, bulbs and cut foliage - being exported is unchanged,

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so is its customer base. Of the 77 countries, Turkish Flowers reported delivering flowers to since 2000 many are diplomatically friendly.

In the Turkish Flowers’ Main Export Markets’ graph, Netherlands, Uzbekistan, the UK, Germany and Azerbaijan are Turkey’s five top export markets.

The Dutch dominance ($24 million) can be attributed to the significant volumes of Turkish grown cut flowers (primary seasonal flowers) and cut foliage (Aspidistra, Asparagus, Aralia) that are sold at the Dutch auction. The UK and Germany’s presence in the top five can be explained by Turkish carnations being a favourite filler flower in British mixed bouquets and Turkish seasonal flowers riding the wave of popularity, in Germany respectively.

Turkish Flowers ranks Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan at the second and fourth-largest export destinations for Turkish grown ornamentals (read nursery stock). Yilmaz explained that Turkey has the world’s second-largest contracting sector, after China, and a significant number of Turkish landscape firms work together with general contractors at home and abroad.

General contractors from Turkey have won many contracts in Uzbekistan, for example. The country is currently transforming into an open-economy with room for a private sector-driven economy with a huge amount of building underway. Turkish construction specialists oversee the buildings while Turkish landscaping companies design and execute the landscape portion of the projects. This is done in Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and a variety of other countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) which is comprised of former Soviet republics.

In tough economic times, Serkan Kanbur, landscape architect and owner of Verticalle has chosen a strategy that involves adding products, services and markets to the company’s portfolio. He thinks this sets him apart from the competition. Verticalle serves as the umbrella for the sub-brands

such as Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides), a tropical, non-invasive clump forming grass that is used around the world to control soil erosion, stabilise slopes, control floods and decontaminate land and water, the Chinese SOL brand representing modular systems for vertical gardening and Q Grass turf grass. Especially their flower archways used for weddings or decoration in city squares and parks have been much photographed and shared via social media.

Big leafy camouflage-type and palm tree plants are becoming increasingly popular around the world and, as such, were lavishly on display at Flower Show Turkey.

Adem Karacadağlı, director of floral wholesale company Flower King BV, imports modest volumes of Philodendron, Yucca, Areca and Schefflera from Antalya-based Imaj with whom he shared his stand. “This was our first year at the show and all went very well. The people we expected to see were here and all three days have been really good, bringing in leads from both existing and new customers,” says Adem.

The fact that Flower King BV, operating from the Dutch flower auction in Aalsmeer, was the sole floral wholesale company from the Netherlands can’t have harmed the traffic at his stand. Adem says his career in the floral industry spans more than 20 years with 2008 marking the foundation of his own company. He attributes 99% of his business to exports of plants and flowers with cut flower sales more predominant in the run up to the big three in floral holidays: Valentine’s Day, International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day. Constantly fluctuating exchange rates impact day-to-day business but when looking back on 2019, he sees more stability and sales have been pretty good. “Turkey is a large market with a population of nearly 80 million people. Growth can be reached across all market segments especially at the retail level with supermarkets looking for ways to increase the size and sophistication of their floral departments to generate impulse

34th edition of SIVAL, France’s iconic agricultural trade show at the Parc des Expositions in Angers. www.sival-angers.com

17-26. GERMANY Grüne Woche, international green week Berlin. The world’s largest consumer and trade fair for food, agriculture and horticulture. www.gruenewoche.de

21-23. SAUDI ARABIA Saudi International Flowers&Gardens exposition (SIFG) at Riyadh’s International Convention&Exhibition Centre. www.sifgexpo.com

22-24. UNITED STATES Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE) at Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Centre in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. www.tpie.org

24-28. GERMANY Christmas World in Messe Frankfurt. www.christmasworld. messefrankfurt.de

28-31. GERMANY IPM at the Messe Essen convention centre in Essen. www.ipm-essen.de

28. GERMANY Recognising the very best of the best in the horticultural industry, the 11th International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) Awards 2020 is taking place at the IPM fairground on Tuesday 28 January 2020 in Essen, Germany alongside IPM Essen 2020. www.aiph.org F E B R UA R Y 2 0 2 0

4-5. RUSSIA

9-18. CHINESE TAIPEI

I TA LY

Counting down to Myplant & Garden 2020

5-7. GERMANY Fruit Logistica at Messe Berlin. www.messe.berlin.de

www.woc23.com

10-12. ZIMBABWE Hortiflor Expo at the HICC convention centre in Harare.

Myplant&Garden (February 26-28, 2020 Fiera Milano Rho-Pero) is expected to feature 700 plus exhibitors, showing off their latest products and services on a 45,000m2 exhibit space.

More than 20,000 visitors from home and abroad will once again be expected and will be treated to the newest trees, shrubs, cut foliage, cut flowers, indoor plants and young plants.

The sixth edition of Myplant & Garden already promises to be packed with new ideas, novelty plants and information with a strong focus on biodiversity, sustainability and the commercial production of ornamental plants.

The organisers have segmented the exhibit halls into eight main categories to enable buyers to shop for products and services efficiently. The product areas are home to nursery stock, cut flowers, home décor, pots and containers, machinery, garden maintenance, landscaping and services.

Set to be a popular attraction for attendees, the Garden Centre Experience pavilion will feature new trends and

Taiwan International Orchid Show (TIOS) in Taichung.

www.hpp.nl

16-18. CHINA China International Floriculture and Horticulture Trade Fair at the Guangzhou International Sourcing Centre Complex. www.flowerexpochina.com

17-21. QATAR 8th International Agricultural Exhibition Agriteq and 2nd International Environmental Exhibition Enviroteq in Doha. www.agriteq.com merchandising concepts for the garden retail industry.

The show’s novelty showcase is an area dedicated to novelty flowers and plants and is closely linked to the Myplant & Garden Awards.

The show’s top-notch educational programme is designed to meet the needs of growers and buyers, as integral members of the trade show.

The programme features three days full of education to help participants stay up to date on current trends and strengthen their interactions and relationships with customers.

For more information visit www.myplantgarden.com

26-28. VIETNAM Hortex Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City.

18-20. NETHERLANDS Tulip Trade Event www.tuliptradeevent.nl

25-27. UNITED STATES World Floral Expo 2020 in New York. www.hpp.nl

21 MARCH-10 MAY. NETHERLANDS Keukenhof, one of the world’s most beautiful spring garden. www.keukenhof.nl APRIL 2020

7-9. CHINA 22nd Hortiflorexpo IPM Beijing, powered by IPM Essen New venue!! > China International Exhibition Centre in Beijing. www.hortiflorexpo.com

8-10. UKRAINE

www.hortex-vietnam.com

Gardenia, nursery stock trade show in Poznan.

Flower Expo Ukraine at the Kiev’s International Exhibition Centre (IEC).

MARCH 2020

www.flowerexpo-ukraine.com

www.gardenia.mtp.pl

1-4. UNITED STATES

13-15. POLAND

21-23. MYANMAR HortiFair at Myanmar Expo in Thaketa, Yangon.

XIII APPM Annual Conference at the Izmailovo Concert Hall in Moscow. Organiser APPM is Russia’s nursery stock association.

www.hpp.nl

www.ruspitomniki.ru

www.myplantgarden.com

26-28. ITALY Myplant & Garden at Milan’s Fiera Milano.

SAVE THE DATE

E XPOSURE

AIPH Spring Meeting, National Hotel Miami Beach, including the AIPH Board Meeting, the AIPH Expo Conference, and AIPH Green City reports. www.aiph.org

24 APRIL TO 10 MAY. KOREA International Horticulture Goyang Korea. IHK2020. www.facebook.com/ goyangflowereng

9-12. CHINESE TAIPEI World Orchid Conference in Taichung www.woc23.com

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AMSTERDAM 8 - 10 JUNE 2020 HORTICULTURE’S FOREFRONT

For the fifth year in a row, the Netherlands is hosting a very special event: the Tulip Trade Event. Breeders and exporters are opening their doors for three days, and the spotlight will focus on tulips, with their long history and flourishing future.

www.tuliptradeevent.nl

In 2020 we would be happy to give you an update of the latest state of affairs in the tulip sector. What new cultivation methods have been developed?

Which forms and colours are trendy? And which varieties are promising?

As the nurseries are concentrated in one region, you can get a complete, colourful and flourishing idea in those three days. The purpose of the Tulip Trade Event supports the continuously growing interest in the ultimate spring flower.

Are you going to be joining us again? We look forward to seeing you!

SAVE THE DATE

TRADE SHOW 8 – 10 JUNE Registration is open as of 31 January 2020 A total of 12,489 professionals from 114 countries visited GreenTech 2019. 84% intend to visit next edition and 94% recommend GreenTech to others.

WHAT THE VISITORS SAID ABOUT GREENTECH “A must visit for US greenhouse operators!”

“A nice collection and portfolio of companies that are present at GreenTech Amsterdam. Many interesting new companies and the knowledge programme is also up-to-date with relevant topics” “The best option to know all about technology for Horticulture” ABOUT GREENTECH GreenTech is the global meeting place for all horticultural technology professionals. GreenTech focuses on the early stages of the horticultural chain and the current issues growers face. All Dutch front-runners, greenhouse builders and suppliers are present.

GreenTech Amsterdam 2020, your chance to meet the horticulture world in 3 days.

Organised by:

www.greentech.nl

IGOTY 2020 Awards Tuesday 28th January 2020, IPM ESSEN

Enjoy a night to ‘Sparkle and Shine’

www.aiph.org/igoty2020/ Contact: events@aiph.org

BOOKING DEADLINE: 17th January 2020 EVENT PARTNER

FOUNDING PARTNER