Stine Garbo Schroll and Carsten Schroll at the IPM Essen, Germany.
Mother's Day
The hydrangea season runs from January till September. According to Schroll, Mother's Day (May 8) is increasing the demand a bit. "It is always the question whether Mother's Day or spring is the cause of the increased demand. However, in the run up to Mother's Day, we do see a higher demand for the more expensive products. The large varieties in particular are more demanded," he says.
Prices
Even though the demand is increasing a bit, the prices are not. "The hydrangea prices have been bad for a couple of years now. However, we should not complain. Two years ago in May, the prices for hydrangeas were very low at the clock in Holland; they halved. Fortunately, the prices are higher at the moment, but they haven't reached their former level yet," he says.
Weather essential
According to Schroll, the weather is essential for hydrangea sales. "The weather forecast for this week is good. The weather enables people to go out and start planting their garden. So, due to the combination of good weather and Mother's Day, we expect the sales to increase this week," he says.
Schroll flowers
Schroll flowers was established in 1998 and breeds and grows hydrangeas. Their current assortment consists of more than 10 varieties. The breeding takes place in Denmark and the production to young, half finished and finished plants in Denmark and Portugal. "We started producing the hydrangeas in Denmark, but due to the high production costs, we moved a part of our production to Portugal. At the moment, the total acreage of open field and greenhouse in Denmark is around 15ha and in Portugal around 20ha," he says.
For more information
Schroll Flowers
Carsten Schroll
Email: carsten@schroll-flowers.dk
www.schroll-flowers.dk