One cutting only, less cutting back, great compactness and new, beautiful colours. That is on the agenda for Queen Genetics, when expanding their assortment of Queen Regent Asters in 2021. Aside from greater products, this new initiative is highly beneficial for growers and breeders. How come? R&D Manager Kai Lønne Nielsen brings you inside the greenhouse and explains why in the video below.
Cost saving
Currently, for their asters production, they use three cuttings in a 11 cm pot. "That opens up for the possibility that we can combine different colors," he says in the video. However, in the future, they want to introduce a series where only one cutting is needed per pot and where the need for cutting back the plant is less, so no plant growth regulation (PGR). "Imagine that you can use only one cutting in an 11 cm pot and get the volume that you need." As a result, it will save costs for the growers.
Queen Regent Asters
This new series will be born out of the current Queen Regent Asters series that they added to their assortment several years ago and have been commercially available since 2017.
In their asters breeding, they focus on double type varieties with strong colors that do not fade, mildew resistance and speed in production "Production time is five weeks in long day and five weeks in short day."
Queen® Regent Asters™ Assortment for 2021 Explore all varieties here
According to Nielsen, the current assortment features wonderful traits, including strong, beautiful colours, excellent longevity and a naturally enhanced plant volume. "On top of that, all varieties are resistant to mildew and require no chemical growth regulation. In our breeding department, they go through strict selection work, which ensures optimal plant quality throughout the season, counting from early spring to late autumn. "
In the video below, R&D Manager Kai Lønne Nielsen presents and highlights their most important production varieties of Queen Regent Asters.
Increasing demand for Queen Regent Asters
As said earlier, Queen Genetics asters are commercially available since 2017 and they are pleased with the demand. "The breeding of our new aster varieties are the result of a close cooperation with Hjortebjerg, a skilled Danish grower. They grow a variety of crops and have cooperated with Queen Genetics to select and test our aster series. This close cooperation enables us to breed in the right direction and it is bearing fruits. We receive requests from all over the world and we are very pleased to be able to supply these growers with our products." Particularly, Queen Genetics experiences an increasing demand for asters that are easily grown without any use of chemical growth regulator. Queen Genetics finds oneself on a sustainable journey known as Queen Grows Greener. Therefore, they are entirely contented with the progress and greater interest in more sustainable breeding, being high priority now and for the future.
For more information
:
Queen Genetics
Finn Hansen, Sales Kalanchoe & Global Cultivation Advisor
Mobile: +45 2070 6166
Email: [email protected]
Kai Lønne Nielsen, R&D Manager
Mobile: +45 25 32 81 66
Email: [email protected]