Breeder HBA in De Kwakel has started a hands-on trial this season together with five other companies, focused on growing cut hydrangeas without using chemicals. The goal is to make hydrangea cultivation more sustainable and to share the knowledge gained along the way. Partners in the trial include Glastuinbouw Nederland, Delphy, Koppert, nursery P. Wijfjes and nursery Lago di Hydrangea.
At HBA, four greenhouse sections with different cut hydrangea varieties are part of the trial. Since January, a Delphy specialist has been stopping by every week to check the plants and monitor any pests. Koppert supports the project with advice and, when needed, provides natural enemies and biological crop protection products to keep pests under control.
“The trial is really focused on practical, real-life growing,” says Sjoerd Ederveen from HBA. “Growers from P. Wijfjes (Vrouwenakker) and Lago di Hydrangea (De Lier) visit us every month to look at the crop from a production point of view and share their thoughts on how the trial should move forward.”
At the start of the season, thrips are one of the main challenges. Different natural enemies and biological solutions are being used to manage them. “It’s still too early to say much about the results,” Sjoerd adds, “but we’ll be happy to share our findings with customers later on.”
During the Flower Trials week, HBA will host its annual Hydrangea Night on Thursday evening, June 11. At the Hydrangea Night Koppert will be there to share more about the trial and to answer questions from visitors.
Photo caption: Bas Oudshoorn from Delphy visits HBA every week to scout the plants and keep track of any pests.