Malanseuns Boerdery has evolved a lot since its humble beginnings 111 years ago as a fruit farm selling surplus trees. Today, under the leadership of Jimie Malan Jr., the company stands as a premier name in the garden plant sector in South Africa, also exporting indigenous plants to markets in America, Canada, Europe, England, Australia, and other African countries. "Our passion is people and plants. We strive to produce top-quality plants for every garden in the country, making South Africa the most beautiful country in the world with breathtaking gardens," Jimie said.
Jimie Malan Jr.
Historical roots
Founded way back in 1913 by Danie Malan on the northern slopes of the Magaliesberg, just outside of Pretoria, Malanseuns initially focused on fruit production, selling surplus fruit trees to the public for planting in farms and gardens. As the business grew, Danie's four sons ventured into growing ornamental garden plants to complement the fruit tree sales.
Today, Malanseuns is specializing in the growing and distribution of ornamental plants. The family pioneered the development of sustainable, organic growing mediums in the country, alleviating the need for using topsoil in producing container-grown plants. "We produce our own growing medium from organic raw materials. By researching locally available materials, we've made it more economical," Jimie shares. Currently, the company uses raw sawdust and bark, composted with biological organisms, reducing the composting time from nine months to four months, resulting in significant savings in space, labor, and operating costs. Containers evolved from rusty old tins and receptacles often retrieved from rubbish dumps to modern nursery bags and pots.
The production process begins in the bedding plant section, where seeds are mechanically sown. Following germination, young plants are transplanted into seedling holders. Perennial plants are nurtured in world-class greenhouses, receiving fertilizers and water. Each plant is rigorously evaluated to meet high-quality standards and is inspected for diseases before being potted for optimal root development.
As the fourth generation of the Malan family enters the business, millions of plants are still grown at the original nursery site and two other nurseries in the Pretoria area. This diversity of locations offers a range of climatic conditions, from sub-tropical to extreme cold, ensuring that plants are cultivated to the highest quality standards. Continuous searching for new and better plants worldwide, along with trialing and testing in South African conditions, guarantees that Malanseuns continually introduces exciting new plants to local gardeners that are adapted to local conditions.
This year, Malanseuns is thrilled to add several new varieties to its collection, including a vivid cerise pink hydrangea that flowers throughout the summer, an almost black Agapanthus, and several new hibiscus varieties.
Other technical innovations in production
The Malanseuns nursery spans three sites, totaling 75 hectares of production area, employing 191 permanent workers and around 60 seasonal workers during peak periods. The infrastructure includes greenhouses, plastic houses, shade houses, and open-field production. Their Rosslyn site features six dams to collect runoff and rainwater for reuse, while solar systems have been installed to prevent production downtime during frequent power outages.
With increasing concerns over water scarcity, Malanseuns has implemented advanced irrigation systems, including drip irrigation and capillary mat systems. "We use water sparingly because we don't know what the future holds," Jimie states. This emphasis on resource management extends to pest and disease control, where the farm operates on a preventive spray program utilizing biological products. Regular soil sampling and laboratory testing ensure proactive intervention, maintaining soil health and fungal management.
Malanseuns optimizes its growing medium with biological stimulants, utilizing strains of Trichoderma, Bacillus, and silicates to enhance nutrient availability and soil resilience. This shift was motivated by rising prices and scarcity of chemical fertilizers due to global conflicts, leading to the adoption of organic fertilizers that provide longer-lasting effects in the soil. The farm has also successfully reduced chemical use by 70% through biological pest and fungal control methods. "I regularly visit various countries to gain insights on growth methods and equipment, continuously building our global network," Jimie explains.
Growing flowers tomorrow
Malanseuns is filled with pride as it stands on the foundation built over the past 111 years. "The greatest joy stems from the countless lives impacted by the beautiful, high-quality plants that fashion gardens across the country. It inspires us to tackle the next 100 years to make South Africa even more beautiful with stunning plants in gardens nationwide," Jimie shares.
Malanseuns aims to simplify gardening, making it more accessible and affordable for the end consumer. With one of the largest networks of plant geneticists globally, Malanseuns has access to exceptional new plants, including varieties of Agapanthus with partners like De Wet Plant Breeders. For instance, the award-winning Agapanthus Blackjack, which blooms for up to nine months, showcases how the company continually enhances offerings for gardeners.
As the company celebrates this milestone, it expresses gratitude to its loyal customers and suppliers for their support. "Without your support, we wouldn't be where we are today," Jimie notes. Excitingly, the fifth generation of Malans is already developing their green thumbs. As the saying goes, "To plant a tree is to believe in tomorrow."
For more information:
Malanseuns
malanseuns.co.za
[email protected]