IPM Essen and Fruit Logistica in Berlin are the world’s leading trade fairs in ornamentals and fruit and vegetables.

Spotlight on knowledge sharing and future trends

The German trade fairs IPM Essen and Fruit Logistica in Berlin are among the leading events in the world for the ornamentals and fruit
A sprayer is an indispensable part of many a grower’s kit. When you’re buying a sprayer, it’s important to get the pump capacity right.

Maintenance starts with rinsing filters clean after every use

A sprayer is an indispensable part of many a grower’s kit, whether we’re talking spray robot or spray gun. When you’re buying a sprayer,
Blocked pipes can cause big problems. Using stabilised hydrogen peroxide keeps the system biofilm-free. The active substance stays active for a long time

Stabilised hydrogen peroxide cleans pipes efficiently and gently

Most growers in the Netherlands start increasing the dosage of irrigation water in April, which can cause serious problems in the watering system. That’s
Controlling the pH helps ensure better nutrient uptake which ultimately leads to consistent growth and production.

Well-balanced root environment ensures good nutrient uptake

When you’re growing green peppers, you have to be extra alert to changes in the growing conditions. Consistent EC levels and good pH control
With a newly developed measurement method, producers of blocking substrate can design new recipes with more predictable properties.

New measurement method makes soil block quality more predictable

Good soil blocks are not easy to make. Besides a good recipe, it’s the experience and skill of the people on the blocking line
The pests Bemisia and tomato russet mite surfaced in large numbers in the tomato crop last year.

Growers alarmed by outbreaks of Bemisia and tomato russet mite

Several growing areas in the Netherlands and Belgium had to contend with them last year: Bemisia tabaci and tomato russet mite. These two pests
A range of new coated fertilisers is enabling growers of pot plants, bedding plants and soil-grown cut flowers to optimise fertilisation

Tailoring fertilisation for pot- and soil-grown crops gets easier

Some relatively new coated fertilisers are giving growers more options for optimising crop nutrition. Aspects taken on board in the development process included calcium
Hyperparasites of aphid predators are an ever increasing problem. A joint project has been set up to investigate ways of controlling the hyperparasites.

Controlling hyperparasites: on the trail of the best scents

Hyperparasites in the crop can completely disrupt biological crop protection. Sweet pepper growers in the Netherlands know a thing or two about that. But
Research shows that movement and touch (also as plants rub against each other) slow down growth. That can be frustrating but you can also use it to your advantage.

Movement and touch make plants shorter

Plants in the greenhouse are increasingly on the move. More attention is being paid to air circulation and mobile cultivation is on the rise.
Insight into the 'arms race' between fungus and plant, can help a grower establish supporting cultivation measures.

Constant arms race between plant and fungi

Fungi parasitize plants because they can’t assimilate themselves. They have developed numerous methods of penetrating the plant. In turn, plants have developed a complete
A plant sap analysis is a snapshot of a plant’s uptake of the minerals that are available for growth at that moment. Growers receive the results very soon

Quick and detailed information on a plant’s mineral uptake

According to the advisers at the Dutch consultancy group HortiNova, fertilisation is a very precise science that can only be done properly if you
Measuring water content in critical layers should become routine at pot plant and bedding plant nurseries.

Water distribution in growing substrates continues to surprise

Contrary to what was assumed in the past, recent research has revealed that water is rarely distributed homogeneously through the root ball following limited
Van den Elzen Plants is hosting a trial with a substrate adapted specifically for strawberries combined with biological supplements.

Adding bio to substrate reduces chemical use in strawberries

The strawberry is a vulnerable crop: the plants and fruits are susceptible to all kinds of diseases and insects. Crop protection is therefore a
Because it plays a role in so many processes, potassium is sometimes referred to as the quality element.

Potassium, the major organiser in numerous plant processes

No potassium no plant: A huge number of processes are dependent on this element. Luckily, hardly any problems occur because the plant is good
A new system has been developed which brings together climate, settings, harvest and crop development data on one dashboard.

Remote growing now possible with consistent data collection

Building a high-tech greenhouse is one thing, but working with it is a whole different ball game. Nurseries in countries with no horticultural tradition
Transpiration by a plant has two important functions: The uptake and transport of nutrients and cooling.

Transpiration is driver behind cooling and uptake and transport of nutrients

The plant can’t function without transpiration. But sometimes it can be somewhat less. Also less than is commonly used commercially. There are plenty of
New Trichoderma strain provides impetus for healthy root environment

New Trichoderma strain provides impetus for healthy root environment

For more than ten years the application of Trichoderma fungi has been common practise in horticulture. They help cultivated crops grow better and become
Heavy lettuce with low nitrate level even without daylight

Heavy lettuce with low nitrate level even without daylight

The restaurant at the High Tech Campus, Eindhoven, the Netherlands, serves various types of lettuce that have never previously seen the light of day.
Economic growth, more digitalisation but uncertainty about Brexit

Economic growth, more digitalisation but uncertainty about Brexit

For greenhouse growers the first two months of the year are characterised by various specialised trade exhibitions. From the large-scale German trade fairs, IPM
Controlling calcium is a complicated business

Controlling calcium is a complicated business

Calcium is a delicate mineral in the plant. A deficiency can cause problems such as blossom end rot in sweet peppers and tomato, burnt