English Growers Pride Roses Mothers Day

SPECIAL EDITION OF THE BLOEMENKRANT

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0316 1496 1895

Because your whishes are worth something extra

Also this year we deliver with Mother’s Day a rose for happy faces Bos Roses Zevenhuizen B.V. Zuidplasweg 23 2761 JK Zevenhuizen, Tel: 06-51109981 info@bosroses.nl www.bosroses.nl

www.scholtesroses.com

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DINSDAG 12 ARPIL 2016

3

Consumers: ‘Rose stays number 1’ n FloraHolland Product Co-ordinator Rose Janneke de Jong PRMOTION n The acreage where Dutch roses are grown continues to decrease a little and the turnover for the Dutch rose is expected to become lower in 2016, compared to the year before.

However, one thing remains unchanged: the product Rose remains de most important cut flower for the consumer.

‘Due to this warm winter, the supply of the product Dutch Rose as well as the international product Rose continues to do well’, says Janneke de Jong from FloraHolland.

She is the successor of FloraHolland Product Coordinator Roos, Will Zuiderdijk, after he transferred to Amaryllis and Calla. ‘In other words, so far the weather has not hindered neither the supply nor the sales. This was quite different in recent years, when heavy snowfall shut down entire regions due to a slump in supply and sales.’

PREMIUM MARKET

Market developments show that rose breeders in the Netherlands and South America mostly focus on the premium market, according to Janneke. ‘The African rose breeders focus more on the lower and middle segment. However, lately some African suppliers are good enough to trade in the premium segment.

This makes South America and Africa formidable players in the market.’

800 MILLION EURO

Compared to other large products, such as Tulip and Chrysanthemum, the Rose still occupies first place.

When adding the results of all sales instruments from Royal FloraHolland, this comes to an annual turnover of around 800 million Euro worth of roses at the auction.

‘The colour pallet on the clock has been stable for years. Red, pink and white are by far the most popular colours and they represent not less than 64 percent of the clock supply. Based on volume, in 2015 the largest varieties on the clock were: Belle Rose, Marie Claire, Athena, Red Naomi en Avalanche+. Of all

Rose in Growers Pride Growers Pride is an edition of the Bloemenkrant.

This special edition is published by Uitgeverij Verhagen in cooperation with FPC Roos, FPC FloraHolland, growers and breeders.

WITH CONTRIBUTIONS OF:

Wilma van Velzen Frank de Klerk Esdor van Elten

ENGLISH TRANSLATION AND EDITING BY:

Joep Derksen (Writing4U.eu)

WITH THE COOPERATION OF:

Royal FloraHolland Bloemenbureau Holland VGB SLB VBW

Huub Snijders, sales manager Teuntje van Delft, chief editor www.mooiwatbloemendoen.nl www.bloemenbureauholland.nl

Janneke de Jong, successor of Royal FloraHolland Coordinator Roos, Will Zuidwijk.

roses traded via FloraHolland, 26 percent goes to Germany. Furthermore many roses go to France and the United Kingdom. In a not-insignificant number of cases the roses remain in the Netherlands.’

PRODUCT MARKET PLAN

In order to provide the product Rose with some additional support, four initiatives have been prioritised in 2015. These initiatives were developed into the Product market plan by the FloraHolland Product team, in cooperation with the FPC. In this context Janneke informs that these initiatives will be followed up and further implemented in 2016. One of these initiatives concerns the experiment ‘auctioning boxes’.

research which was executed for rose, confirmed matters regarding consumer behaviour. But it also provided us with new insights. The information from this research will be used in developing the promotion plan for rose.

VALENTINE PROMOTIONS

With Valentine just around the corner, Janneke informs that Bloemen Bureau Holland organises a remarkable initiative to promote

sales every year. ‘Two years ago we organised “In Case of Love at First Site”, where we spread love and happiness in Paris by placing 1,500 red alarm boxes with a red rose.

Last year Cupidrone brought love to Verona, city of the worlds most famous love couple Romeo and Juliet. And this year Cupid will help in Rome to spread the love by means of distributing roses. Undoubtedly this will be another much talked about promotion!’

This will be continued for the near future. The Product team cooperates with the department Product market information. Together they have realised a poster with the title ‘The world of roses’. The international playing field of the rose can be seen on this poster. In the short term a theme report on Germany will be published. The consumer

Rose, Queen of the Flowers

M

eet the Queen of the Flowers; the rose. This majestic rose thanks its title to her worldwide popularity as most beautiful girl of the class. So no matter where you are or who you are; roses are always welcome.

COLOURS AND SHAPES

The rose shines in red, white, yellow, pink, purple, orange and green. In addition there are twocoloured or even multicoloured roses. Varying in size from large to small and with short or long stems; it is all possible. And here’s some good news for fans of roses: every year new kinds of roses are introduced.

SYMBOLISM OF THE ROSE

The rose is Queen of the Symbolic Meanings as well. The heart-shaped leafs symbolise love and trust and the thorns indicate that love sometimes is no bed of roses.

MEANING

Especially red roses are inextricably connected with love, but did you know that each colour has its own meaning?

-Red: love and respect -White: true love, pure, dignity -Pink: happiness, gratitude, purity -Orange: desire, appreciation, sympathy -Yellow: intimate friendship, connection COMBINATION

Combinations of colours and other flowers have a meaning too. When you bring a white and red rose together, you express the hope that you always want to be together.

SYMBOLISE

Roses in a bouquet symbolise gratitude and one single rose in a large bouquet means: ‘You are the one I love, you are the one for me!’

Isn’t that beautiful?!

BOUQUET INSPIRATION WITH ROSES

Very beautiful too is this luxurious bouquet, with white tinges, various colours of pink and a golden emphasis. You can make this pastel coloured rose bouquet all by yourself, or you can ask the florist to give you a hand. The roses you see here are spray roses and largeflowered roses.

ACCENT

Additionally, on the photo you will also discover the beautiful Amaryllis Mocca in the bouquet.

The dark pink carnation and a couple of branches Eucalyptus, coloursprayed in gold, provide you with a remarkable accent.

Ontwerp: Mark Walboom

KERIJ ROZEN KWE

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y lit a ca m i 3D U t qu ur me zatio nique in consisten tech the r. n f ch ra h as t e c h , m a d e p o s s i b l e b y h i g o ns o t o me eb s ti y th nology. Meet the expecta er cu e cu stom u stomers c r e custom to

Always supplying roses of consistent quality.

This is the reason why nursery Rozenhof in Zevenhuizen invests in a completely new ‘Intelligent Roses Inspection and Sorting System (IRISS). The expectations for this system are high.

New sorting and selection system IRISS ROZENHOF UNIQUE IN CONSISTENT QUALITY ‘I know for sure that the position of

19 different sorting stations’, Bukman

according to the wish of the client.

IRISS

Dutch rose growers will improve with

says. ‘This can only be accomplished

Whether it is related to the hight of the

IRISS makes sure that the grower and

IRISS’, says IRISS designer Kees

by executing precise measurements.

buds, with, stem thickness, length,

client know where they stand. ‘It is

Bukman. ‘Six years ago various parties

When a bouquet of roses passes

flower, leaf or colour. If a client requests

very rare that a company dares to tell

started working together to set up a

through the machine ten times, the

150,000 roses of a certain bud size for

a client that it can consistently supply

new selection system. Rose companies

end result should also be the same ten

the coming summer, we can check our

the same quality. To our clients we

were still working with a technique

times in a row.’

database to see whether we will be

offer the guarantee that the quality

able to supply the sufficient number of

of the products they buy today, is

roes in that quality.’

the same quality as what the receive

designed in 1992. Yet this technique was largely obsolete already. On the

TWO WINNERS

one hand, too little had been invested,

The advantages of the new exact

but on the other hand you could also

measuring system are huge. ‘We

COOPERATION

is room for improvement in our market

say that about this technique, that it

not only supply a better product, but

The roses are sold via FloraHolland,

regarding the supply of products with a

was very good. The machines, which

because of the improved selection

but in cooperation with the trade. A

consistent quality to the end user.

are older than 20 years, are technically

each rose ends up in the right box for

considerable part is destined for export

still in prime condition.’

the maximum prise. The client can rely

to Belgium, France, Germany, Italy,

We supply a consistent quality that

on standard bouquets of quality roses,

Russia and Switzerland.

foreign suppliers cannot comply

Bukman is founder of the technology

which are the same every day. Because

‘Because of our short and direct lines

with. For instance when it comes to

department of Aweta, a Nootdorp

of IRISS, there will be two winners: the

with the trade, we try to keep a grip

the speed of the delivery and meeting

company

grower as well as the client’.

on our assortment’, says Broer. ‘An

the specific wishes of the client. If a

processing machines.

Sales manager Cor Broer of Rozenhof

important criterion with the delivery

florist wishes to receive ten bouquets

Nowadays he works with the team of

stresses the importance of IRISS: ‘It is

is, that the trade companies meet the

of a certain size, we can custom-make

his company 4More Technology bv

no point having a modern nursery with

expectations of a repeat purchase. To

this for him. When the whole supply

on the modernisation and perfecting

an unbalanced quality product. At the

put it simply: the trade and florist have

chain obtains a solid relationship with

machinery. ‘The latest development is

request of the customer we can supply

to meet the expectations of the client.

the client, we can create the most

the camera measuring technique; with

roses with a separate quality label.

That client has to be satisfied in such a

beautiful white rose that exists.’

this system roses can be delivered in

Customization is possible, exactly

way that he will come back next week.’

which

sold

350

rose

tomorrow. In that we are unique. There

By Frank de Klerk

QUALITY FACTS Stem Length (L) Stem Thickness (T) Bud Height (H) Bud Width (W) Bud Color (C)

min. 700 mm min. 5 mm max. 8 mm min. 50 mm max. 55 mm min. 40 mm max. 45 mm Greenish White

INSPECTED BY IRISS = UNIFORM AND CONSISTENT QUALITY These roses have been inspected and selected by a unique optical inspection system called IRISS: Intelligent Rose Inspection and Sorting System Roses are inspected using cameras that view the rose from various angles. A sophisticated computer sorting system analyses each rose and checks if it meets the high standards that have been defined for this product.

Only those roses that meet the minimum requirements are proud to carry the label: “Inspected by IRISS” The IRISS project is an initiative of Dutch Rose growers and is funded by “Stichting Technologiefonds Tuinbouw” and “Stichting Hagelunie” Deze rozen zijn geïnspecteerd en geselecteerd door een uniek optisch inspectiesysteem met de naam IRISS: Intelligent Rozen Inspectie en Sorteer Systeem Rozen worden geïnspecteerd met behulp van camera’s die vanuit verschillende hoeken naar de roos kijken.

Een geavanceerd computersysteem analyseert elke roos en controleert of het aan de hoge eisen voldoet die voor dit product zijn vastgelegd.

Alleen rozen die voldoen aan de minimale eisen zijn trots dat ze het label “Inspected by IRISS” mogen dragen.

Het IRISS project is een initiatief van Nederlandse Rozenkwekers en is medegefinancierd door “Stichting Technologiefonds Tuinbouw” en “Stichting Hagelunie”

Contactpersoon Cor Broer: 06-13280848 e-mail : cor@kwekerijrozenhof.nl

adv_Valentijn-EN_266x194_01.pdf 1 22-1-2016 10:34:36

Looking for a unique Mother’s Day? Our printed roses are a musthave for Mother’s Day.

DINSDAG 12 APRIL 2016

7

Mark van der Hulst chairman FPC Rose n You miss a lot when you don’t look over the fence ROSE n Too much important information and developments are missed when people don’t look over the fence. This is the firm conviction of Mark van der Hulst, chairman of FPC Roos.

After all, each company or organisation has to deal with the environment or sector in which it operates.

Roos is the most international product of all product groups. Therefore Van der Hulst believes is to be of the greatest importance for FPC to be influential on all matters regarding auctions. And always be well informed of new information and developments.

Van der Hulst was taught the rose business from the nursery. This has caused Van der Hulst to commit himself on behalf of the FPC for the rose business. ‘Van der Hulst Rozenkwekerijen’ is a family business, consisting of three modern rose breeders. Situated close together in Meterik, in the province of Limburg. ‘My two brothers and I each own a nursery and our sister and in-laws take care of the administration. Or contribute in a different way. Our parents, Sjaak and Cleta van der Hulst, are also still actively involved in the operation. The total production area of the nurseries is nine hectare. Our unique selling point is that we grow eleven special largeflowered roses in an exclusive colour palette.

We were taught at a young age already, to get our feelers out in the world around us. And to actively participate in working groups and consultative bodies, from the perception that people will be stronger together.

PRODUCT MARKET PLAN

In these days particularly, the Dutch rose is still under pressure and a number of growers is in desperate straits. Therefore it is more

important than ever to cooperate in order to come to a good auction policy, according to Van der Hulst. ‘It is incredibly harsh to hear when a colleague has had to pull the plug. In addition, rose growers in Africa are suffering due to the unfavourable euro dollar exchange rate. However, we have to move on and look to the future. That is where the Product

MIMI EDEN®

MIMIEDEN® EDEN ®is iseen a wonderful spray rose which years a fixed valueisinin MIMI prachtige trosroos welke al for jaren eenisvaste waarde therozenassortiment. range. het MIMI EDEN® is een romantische roos, de witte bloem met het roze hart is perfect voor onder andere gebruik in bruids-boeketten.

MIMIroos EDEN ®een is a vaasleven romantic rose, the white with the pink heart is Deze heeft van maar liefstflower 16 dagen. perfect for use in bridal bouquets. This rose has a vase life of up to 16 days.

In 2002 werd MIMI EDEN® al bekroond met de titel FleurPrimeur, in 2010 In 2002, MIMI EDEN ® already awarded the title FleurPrimeur, in 2010 the kreeg de roos de speciale bekroning ‘Ere-FleurPrimeur 2001 – 2010’. Een rose the special award “honorary-FleurPrimeur 2001 – 2010 ‘. An exceptional uitzonderlijke prestatie. performance.

Bert Lammers BV Hoofdweg 177 1424 PG De Kwakel T. 06-51001715 E. b.lammers@kabelfoon.net

Kwekerij G.F.J. van Seters Kerklaan 138 - 2678 SZ De Lier T. 0174-515484 M. 06-10188172 - E. g.seters@hi.nl

market plan Roos comes in. We from the FPC are pleased about the way this was achieved within the new auction strategy. The FPC has continuously and closely monitored the development by advising or judging over the subjects discussed during each meeting.

Despite the recent changes within the team of Royal FloraHolland, the process itself was executed well. This also applies for the speed in which the team executed the tasks at hand.

PROMOTION PLAN ROSE 2016

The product team of Royal FloraHolland has in the meantime picked up four initiatives.

Next to that, the Product market plan also consisted of the intention to set up and work out the Promotion plan Roos 2016. The product group Roos is one of few product groups for which a promotion plan has not been realised. According to Van der Hulst this is due to the extreme complexity of the product Roos. He explains: ‘Roos is represented in the FPC internationally as well. When you want to summarise the whole range of products in one plan, it is all about the details. First everybody has to be on the same pages and only then we can move ahead. In any case, Royal FloraHolland Product Marketing currently works hard on realising the Promotion plan Roos 2016. Possibly a first impression can already be presented during the National Day of the Roses. However, it is expected that this

plan is only ready for presentation after this summer. Only at that time, the plan can be put to the vote. But once the Promotion plan Roos 2016 is finished, a real feat has definitely been accomplished. We are looking forward to that.’

DINSDAG 12 APRIL 2016

Roses to seduce Roses are a party to florist and top arranger Johan Martens from Helmond. Of course he is a flower enthusiast, but he has something special with roses. It is a particularly good product with which he can seduce the consumer.

For the third time in a row, Johan Martens and his colleague Ria Nijssen were asked to decorate the Gertrudis church in the rose village Lottum with flowers. This will be done for the biannual Rose festival. ‘Every time this is an enormous challenge’, says Johan. ‘Because the church decorated with roses is part of the festival, attracting over 50,000 visitors. The decorations go beyond merely some rose arrangements. Over 30,000 roses are used to make the church building one of the larger crowd pleasers of the festival.’

YEAR IN ADVANCE

The fun starts a year in advance already. The moment when Johan and Ria think of the way they will incorporate the roses within the festival theme. ‘It has to be done in such a way that we will entice the visitors. After all, inspiring applications are the best promotion for the flower and rose business.

To mention an example, after the latest festival, we were contacted by a couple about to be married. They wanted to have precisely the same decorations in the chapel where they would exchange their wedding vowels. Now that is precisely the way we want it.’

PRINCE FILIPE

It is a well-known fact that Johan has for years been active as a flower arranger with BloemenBureau Holland. Also he has been working for Bloemsierkunst ‘t Genderdal in Eindhoven for the past fifteen years.

And he has been involved with many more projects, such as ‘300 years St. Petersburg’, ‘Sailing Corso’, ‘Autumn shows FloraZON, the flower event in Azerbaijan, numerous international presentations and the construction of shows and events.

Johan even helped to decorate the royal wedding of Prince Filipe en Letitzia in Spain.

CHILDHOOD

His passion for flowers goes all the way back to his childhood. At the age of 12 he had already made up his mind and started his career at the ‘lagere tuinbouwschool’ (elementary horticulture school).

After that he went to the secondary horticulture school and followed the ‘Meesterbindersopleiding’ (Master binder education) in Vught. ‘All kind of opportunities crossed my path and it only got better. After having worked five years in Venlo at Bloemsierkunst Hai Ebus, now called Nizza Bloembinders, I felt it was time to start for my own. I set up and ran a specialist shop in flowers in Beek and Donk for thirteen years. The past ten years I run Floral Moments from Helmond.

Besides this, I have been active as an independent entrepreneur for the past twenty years.’

COMPETITIONS

Johan likes to participate in competitions, for a change. He can then compete with both national and international top arrangers. He has so much creativity that he developed his own unique style.

‘Every day I am learning. Colleagues, trends and flower events are my most important sources for inspiration. I strive to always seduce the consumer with flower decorations, arrangements and bouquets. The end result should reflect a certain atmosphere. It is remarkable that the younger consumer is becoming more and more open for this seduction. Beautiful products such as roses will help to achieve this. Especially the latest generation of roses in the top end with their beautiful round and lush filled flowers are marvellous.

They perform well in both the romantic as well as the modern settings, in which I prefer to show the rose in its purest form.

Johan concludes by stating that cut backs should not be done on promotion. Much talked about television programmes such as ‘Eigen Huis & Tuin’ (Own Home & Garden) and, recently, ‘Nederlands Beste bloemstylist’ (Dutch Best Flower Stylist) make tongues wagging and show how beautiful this business is. ‘Showing your products and what you do almost always leads to new consumer purchases. “That is what I also want”, is the main reason for the consumer. But you should never show up with a non-inspiring homogeneous product. Therefore, I always give my products a twist. In short, it is all about creating atmosphere, colour and smell in an inspiring setting.’

8

DINSDAG 12 APRIL 2016

7

Rose, Queen of the Flowers CHRYSAL GUARANTEES A SHINING LIFE IN A VASE The rose should get back to the place it belongs.

Queen Rose deserves to be on her throne. Sales and marketing manager Simon Buis of Rosa Natura leaves no room for doubt: the rose has the most emotional value of all flowers. It stands out from the pack, not in the least because of the perception.

It is not merely a coincidence that the roses of rose nursery Rosa Natura are so beautiful and smell so nice. They grow on historical soil, where flowers were grown for the Royal House of Orange in the 17th century already. ‘It is almost sacred ground’ over here, says Simon Buis.

‘The “Lusthof (pleasure garden) Hontsholredick”, with the very first rosarium of the Netherlands was situated at precisely this location.

The royal élan of the House of Orange is still wandering around. I hope that we can further develop this and promote it to the consumer.’

RIVALRY

Rosa Natura is quite a substantial company. Often rivalry can be found amongst rose growers, regarding size of beauty of the organisations. But Simon sees it completely different: ‘We want to create the best experience for the consumer and exceed all her expectations’, says Buis.

‘The rose is the most beautiful flower in terms of emotion and it connects people with each other. We want to deliver this message to the client. That is the reason why we use the designation “rosa&u” (Rosa and you). With the “&” symbol we want to create connections with the different parties in the chain.

With one primary goal; a consumer who enjoys the products.

To accomplish this, we closely cooperate with various parties. Together we want to serve our buyers even better.

Additionally, we want to let the final customer enjoy our marvellous large-flowered rose with her beautiful natural perfume for a longer period of time.’

NURTURING

With such a sensitive and beautiful product as the rose, a very careful way of operating is absolutely vital during the cultivation. ‘We will first make sure that our own people are comfortable. When that is the case, they will also deal in a good way with our products’, says Simon Buis. ‘We particularly look at personal hygiene, but company hygiene as well. Our employees work in company clothing and they disinfect all harvest carts and harvest scissors several times per day. The roses follow a carefully laid out hygienic path, to protect them against harmful bacteria. In this way, the consumer can enjoy the rose in the best way possible. Visitors and employees all have to abide the hygienic protocol. In the beginning it took some time to get used to, but now it has become routine. Altogether we grow 25 million beautiful love roses. And we do it with dedication!’

HYGIENE

To guarantee the hygiene in the supply chain, and in so doing prolong the vase life considerably (the so-called post harvest), Rosa Natura has sought and found cooperation with Chrysal. ‘The consumer want to enjoy these beautiful flowers for ten days’, says export manager Emile Dings of Chrysal. ‘Our department of research and development has done tests to find out in what way we can keep flowers well for as long as possible. Chrysal employees have regularly visited Rosa Natura and have helped in the research during all stages. Based on the results of the audit, Chrysal has given a suitable advise about possible improvements regarding the after harvest process. A common point of concern for Chrysal and Rosa

Natura is the multiple auction cask.

It looks clean from the outside, but this is merely appearance. It is filled with bacterial life and these bacteria are anything but beneficial to the perishability of our carefully grown and harvested roses.’ Chrysal and Rosa Natura have set up a protocol together to improve the quality and reduce bacteria growth.

ROSA&U ROSES

This special cooperation has led to the fact that the consumer can bring home an exceptionally good quality of rosa&u roses.’ Because of a good perishability the happiness with the rose lasts longer. ‘When the client can enjoy it ten days or longer, he is happy for a longer period of time and will come back to the florist because of the good quality of the flower. Quality improvement is a sales opportunity. ‘Top quality requires the commitment of the entire chain. Good nurturing and hygiene is of the utmost importance.

That process starts with the grower and ends at the consumers house’, says Emile Dings. ‘In between are the exporter, wholesaler and florist.

We try to get through to all these parties to nurture the flowers and plants well. In such a way the quality can be guaranteed. For instance: sixty percent of companies in the supply chain does not use any conditioners to keep the flowers and plants in good condition with themselves or at the consumer. In this lies a great challenge, but particularly a great opportunity!’

POSITIVISM

A beautiful example of the unique rose messages takes place in Delft.

At the restaurants Le Mariage, de Pijpela and The Bounge, diners will only find red roses of rosa&u on the tables. Tourists purposefully visit these restaurants to take pictures of these roses. De chef Ed Hoogendijk shows our roses every episode of the television programme ‘Nederland proeft’ (Holland tastes).

He explains the reason: “I can cook with more feeling thanks to your roses around me. And my guests experience the food different and with more feeling. They become cheerful and are filled with positivism. Often the first topic of conver-

sation is the vase with roses on the table!”

Rosa&u represents a completely different experience. Our rose always opens completely and emits a pleasant perfume. This subtle aroma may help people to fall in love. Take a rose with you to a date and butterflies will be all over the stomach. Hand over one rose at a condolence and every recipient understands your emotion and message. The rose is thé flower for joy and sorrow. One red rose is worth a thousand words.’ Dear reader: It is almost Valentine! Our advise: give it a try!

By Frank de Klerk

So Rhodos roses

So So

Rhodos roses Quality with love

www.optimal-connection.com

DINSDAG 12 APRIL 2016

12

Confetti in the garden with Queen of Flowers HAPPY n Roses make you happy!

And can be compared to confetti in your garden, from the moment in May when the first buds open and the summer party can begin.

Plant them in open field in your garden or in pots and baskets at the terrace or on the garden table.

Choices can be made from a large variety of roses: bed roses, shrub roses and ramblers with double flowers or graceful single flowers.

Make a choice for what suits in your garden or on your terrace. Do you wish to have roses in pots and baskets? Then it is better to select a stem rose or a small bed rose.

All summer long the roses in pots need to be watered sufficiently. The pots need to be big enough to prevent the roses from drying out.

FLOWER OF LOVE

All over the world, the rose is a much loved flower. This can be seen from her nickname ‘Queen of the

flowers’; she is the most beautiful and prettiest flower on earth.

Many poems and songs have been attributed to this flower. With all her sophisticated colours and scents, the rose is the flower of love.

Scents you would like to preserve.

CHINA

Originally the rose only appeared on the northern hemisphere and was used as ‘garden rose’ in China.

Only after that, the rose came to Europe. Before the eighteenth century, only pink and white roses coloured the gardens. Only later the red and yellow roses appeared. Now we have more than 30,000 types of cultivated roses in beautiful colours.

TIP

Regularly check healthy roses for lice. When you notice it in time, these lice can be fought by spraying water. Spray with a tight stream and the lice will be flushed off. If this doesn’t work, the rose can be treated with biological products.

By now the NVWA has started visiting all rose growers and seed growers in the Netherlands. | Foto: PR

On course: Crop farming cooperation Roos ROOS n Crop farming cooperation Roos is on course. This cooperation started 12 May 2015, initiated by the national committee Roos of the LTO Glaskracht Nederland. From his position as chairman of the crop farming cooperation, Marc van der Drift says that currently almost 70% of rose growers participate.’This shows a wide support with which continuation of crop orientated research is guaranteed.

Many poems and songs have been attributed to this flower.

Six basic nurturing tips for the Roses 1

SUN n Give the rose a place in the sun, with the occasional gust of wind. She’ll love that. In this way, the rose is less susceptible for diseases and fungi.

2

MANURE

4

FLOWERING

n When the rose in the pot has finished flowering, cut her all the way back to 5 centimetres and put her in the garden.

SPACE

3

NURTURE

WATER

Roses in pots also need a little space and lots of water.

Especially during summertime when it is warm. n

LED it be dark: durability as guidance

5

Provide the roses with a handful of rose manure in spring. Preferably organic manure. When the rose stands in sandy soil, give her extra rose manure at the end of June. n

The first Assembly of Members took place in October. Research proposals were approved at this meeting.

Among them were cultivation trails which were previously started by the PT for the research programme ‘Kas als Energiebron’ (green house as energy source). These will be continued.

n Don’t plant a rambler too tight to the wall; give her some space - about 40 centimetres away from the wall is a good location.

6

n Nurture them well.

In autumn they love a layer of stable manure. This manure will mix with the earth, drastically improving the soil.

A new research project is ‘LED it be dark’, which is used to make durability as guidance for the perfect rose.

With this energy efficient research, the lighting in the green house is replaced by LED lights. However, this research must first be approved by the entrepreneurial group of KAE, which will meet in February.

On the other hand, research regarding the health of plants is done.

Scale insects, mealy bugs, mildew and trips are investigated. In the near future, plans will be unfolded for research into the white fly.

Now that the research has been accommodated in the crop farming cooperation, there is an added advantage. The government budget for ‘product exceeding research will be doubled.’

tion of the bacteria Ralstonia solanacearum with nine rose growers and three seed growers.

By now the NVWA has started visiting all rose growers and seed growers in the Netherlands. These visits are expected to be finalised by the middle of February.

PROTOCOLS

To operate in a preventive way, the LTO Glaskracht Nederland has been organising meetings for members of the crop farming cooperation Roos. At these meetings NVWA representatives explained the situation at hand.

Specialists of Groen Agro Control were involved as well. According to Van der Drift, one of the subjects discussed extensively is prevention of Ralstonia contamination by consistently using hygienic protocol with crop rotation. ‘The large turnout at these meetings shows that banning this disease is very important to the rose growers.

All protocols are lived by scrupulously, for everybody knows how badly effected the colleagues are, in whose enterprises Ralstonia was discovered.

Since the contamination took place with young plants, these colleagues were affected double. Especially be-

cause the government has no compensation funds available to compensate for the damage suffered.’

SOLIDARITY

Behind the screens Helma Verberkt and Nikos van Aelst of LTO Glaskracht Nederland are in the middle of preparing a new hygiene protocol, as well as instructions for how to keep the green house properly clean and guidelines for the insurance.

Enormous solidarity amongst the members ‘Despite this doom scenario, positive developments can also be reported’, concludes Van der Drift. ‘In that regard, I would like to mention the enormous solidarity amongst the members of the crop farming cooperation.

But also the actions of LTO Glaskracht Nederland and the fact that protocols for all rose growers and breeders are handled properly in order to prevent any new contaminations.

Hopefully we will be able to leave the Ralstonia story behind us soon.

It is our wish that we can look towards the future with a positive perspective.

RALSTONIA CONTAMINATION

Give the rose a place in the sun, with the occasional gust of wind.

Whereas the crop farming cooperation Roos is well on course, Van der Drift does indicate that the board shares its concern with LTO Nederland regarding the Ralstonia phantom. Ralstonia has invaded some rose growers since the middle of 2015.

The NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) has ascertained contamina-

Marc van der Drift, chairman of the crop farming co-operation. | Foto: PR