Toine Overgaag: “Growing a new crop is a challenging opportunity. But we now produce some 2.8 million plants annually and rank among the top three growers in the western US.”

A new California

For years we would always tell our surprised guests that no, in fact, we don’t need artificial cooling to grow Phalaenopsis. “But doesn’t it
Herbert Stolker Senior Consultant Africa

I’ve seen the sun rise over Africa

There’s a Dutch song that starts with those words. When I’m at home in South Africa I see the sun literally rising over the
Roger Abbenhuijs van Vakblad Onder Glas

Search for key to soil resilience is logical

Resilience is a growing trend, not only in the greenhouse horticulture sector but also in society as a whole. A survey on parents’ attitudes
Herbert Stolker Senior Consultant Africa

Making headway in East Africa

Unlike roses, the protected vegetable sector in Kenya is still quite small-scale. On a recent trip there I set out to find some larger
Toine Overgaag: “Growing a new crop is a challenging opportunity. But we now produce some 2.8 million plants annually and rank among the top three growers in the western US.”

Business in Trumpland

Since November of 2016, with almost every vendor from abroad, whether they’re a greenhouse builder from Holland, an orchid breeder from Taiwan, or a
Roger Abbenhuijs van Vakblad Onder Glas

Advance of LEDs seems unstoppable despite critical noises

What does it say about a technical development in greenhouse horticulture when there is a marked increase in both research projects and practical trials?
Medicines

Medicines

The importance of good health is something I experienced first-hand in January last year, when I slipped a disc. Just as you have to
Toine Overgaag: “Growing a new crop is a challenging opportunity. But we now produce some 2.8 million plants annually and rank among the top three growers in the western US.”

Westerlay Orchids evolves into major player in orchids in USA

At the end of the 1970s, the Overgaag family, with a background in vegetable growing, emigrated from the Netherlands to California to start a
Roger Abbenhuijs van Vakblad Onder Glas

Greenhouse growers across the world must focus on water

Water. It’s essential for everything that grows and blooms anywhere in the world. And of course greenhouse horticulture is no exception. But with the
Herbert Stolker Senior Consultant Africa

Rain and drought in Africa

A lot of things are unfairly distributed in the world, and rain and drought are no exception, especially in Africa. Last month I was
Time for resistance

Time for resistance

It’s always an exciting time when the first flowers appear in the new crop. We proudly put them in a vase at home so
To light or not to light – that is the question

To light or not to light – that is the question

In Next Generation Growing (NGG) we’re always talking about balances: water balance, fruit balance, energy balance, etc etc. And in sweet pepper production we’re
Herbert Stolker Senior Consultant Africa

Africa and plastic

In some way or another, Africa and plastic formed a close relationship a long time ago. At the checkout, all your groceries are packed
Herbert Stolker Senior Consultant Africa

From open fields to tunnels

I am writing my second column having just returned to South Africa after two weeks in the Netherlands. It’s always good to keep in
Aleksa Zubic NatureFresh Canada

Labour challenges

Farming is an innately labour-intensive industry. With the advent of greenhouse technology leading to increased yields and better quality crops, labour has remained just
Last September a small Dutch trade mission visited Iran. The exhibition and trade mission were held in Tehran.

My last column

I have been a columnist for In Greenhouses since the very first edition in October 2012. Almost every year I told the Chief Editor
Herbert Stolker Senior Consultant Africa

Growing under cover in Africa

I’m writing my first column for In Greenhouses sitting in the departure lounge at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. The reason for my three-day trip
Creating Holland Horti International the Dutch sector hopes it's a step in bringing companies closer together so that they can work better together

Olympic gold

For (European) sport enthusiasts 2016 was a great year: UEFA Euro 2016, the Tour de France and the Olympic Games. From the Dutch perspective
Last September a small Dutch trade mission visited Iran. The exhibition and trade mission were held in Tehran.

Iran, special country of opportunities

Last September a small Dutch trade mission visited Iran. Because my company Sion has a client there and at the same time there was
Last September a small Dutch trade mission visited Iran. The exhibition and trade mission were held in Tehran.

Lessons in Brazilian climate

We’ve almost reached the end of our first year at our phalaenopsis young plant location in Brazil. Until now growers bought material from laboratories