Getting ready for the IFTF

Next up on our year overview is the month October. As one of the first international floriculture events since the pandemic was happening again in the beginning of November, companies were getting ready for the IFTF. In addition, efficiency was key for growers this month, as we discussed the benefits of a hanging basket irrigation solution, nanobubble technology, and improved flower packaging. Read on to see what you might have missed two months ago.

Florensis’ and Ball Horticultural Company’s acquisition of DHMI’s breeding program
"The acquisition ensures global market access, extended product trialing, sufficient supply chain”
"This summer has been very busy, as we are in preparation to get everything ready for the next season in 2022," says Erick Ciraud, Global Business Development Manager at DHMI,…


Rosa Eskelund, breeder Roses Forever:
Denmark: “Not being able to travel has enhanced our pot rose selection”
“This year, the testing reports have shown that our rose breeding has been really successful,” says Rosa Eskelund, owner of Danish rose breeding company Roses Forever. “As we…


Len Logsdon, Control Dekk:
US (MI): “One grower can now take care of over 100 basket lines by himself”
“We thought growers would be mainly interested in the environmental aspect of our irrigation system, but we have noticed that labor has been the most interesting aspect for…


Catalina Arango, Flores del Este:
Colombia: “Even though this year’s sales are crazy, the hydrangea exports are down by 5%”
“Before 2016, Colombian hydrangea exports were increasing year by year. This happened until 2018, when we saw just a small increase of 0.4% compared to 2017. And after that…


David van Steenkiste, Plant-T:
Belgium: “Our tests of growing flowers in towers have gone surprisingly well”
“This year, we started testing the system for flowers, and we were not expecting the results to be this good,” says David van Steenkiste, founder and CEO of Plant-T. This…


Robert Wang, Apollo Farm, on their recent projects
Vietnam: "We are working on a new platform for Phalaenopis trade"
“Our weekly cut flower sales went from 10,000 to 2000, as the Vietnamese COVID-19 restrictions have recently severely impacted our Phalaenopsis sales,” says Robert Wang,…


Bart Kouwenberg, Harster Greenhouses:
CAN: “Nanobubble technology reduces violet crop growth cycle by a week”
“The technology has stimulated growth, improved the quality of our flowers, and has led to using fewer fertilizers and chemicals,” says Bart Kouwenberg, Head Grower at Harster…



Cargolite launches Cargolite XL
"More efficient logistics using the new XL carton"
The major supermarkets in Britain have been advised by the British government to reduce the use of plastics. "Our Cargolite carton with plastic would be no exception even…


Dick van Raamsdonk on this year’s event
IFTF 2021: “While Dutch companies are more reserved, foreign exhibitors are very eager to exhibit”
“What has been notable about this year’s IFTF registrations is that Dutch companies are a bit more reserved than the foreign ones are,” says Dick van Raamsdonk of HPP…


Frands Jepsen, Queen Genetics:
Denmark: “Our ethylene resistant flowers lead to 25% more sales”
“For almost 20 years, we have been breeding for high ethylene resistance. Now that we have achieved the highest ethylene tolerant flowers on the market, tests show that they…



A conversation with Modiform's John van der Maarel and Francis Schrama
On the road to new plastic-free production
Perhaps the greatest challenge in recycling is of a logistical nature; only when that is realized can we truly speak of a sustainable chain. "For most pots, we have this…


Shailesh Kumar Rai, Heritage Flowers:
Kenya: “We switched from focusing on the auction market to direct selling”
“During the pandemic, the availability of premium roses was low, and the prices were high. That is when we introduced a new line of ‘super-intermediate’ roses that helped both…