3
THECOMMERCIAL GREENHOUSEGROWER • MAY 2018
Front cover - New fromSyngenta, DeltaPurpleSunrise.
SeePansy andViola reviewpage 9.
THECOMMERCIALGREENHOUSEGROWER
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COMMENT
News that a specialist hydroponics grower is set tobuild apurpose-built
glasshouse at a college inNorthamptonshire is a clear sign that new
commercially viable growing techniques and concepts are not that far away
frombecomingmainstream. The company has developed new technology
[VWYVd\Je JleaUNYV^U salad aUdOeYI JYVWs I` JVTIiUiUN [OeIeUefi[s VM
hydroponic systemswith controlled environment agriculture and clean-room
technologies. It hopes that this project will help showcase andprove that a
range of products canbe grown thisway commercially to supply the retailers.
Every time this type of investment happens in new and emerging technology
i[TaYRs a siNUifiJaU[ s[eW JOaUNe iU [Oe seJ[VY C\YYeU[l` eUeYN` laIV\Y
and foodquality remain themaindrivers for developments in the glasshouse
sector in the future. At themoment, there is a lot of interest inNext
GenerationGrowing-which is set to have a huge impact because research
work conducted in theNetherlands has indicated that energy savings of
aWWYV_iTa[el` 2 ^i[OV\[ siNUifiJaU[ JaWi[al iU]es[TeU[ JaUIe aJOie]aIle
on a regular basis. They key to this is to create an even climate using
screens, air circulation andother technology in adifferent way.
But beyond that, specialist hydroponicswill test that theory of using new and
emerging technologies indifferent ways aswell andwill askmany questions
ofmodern, glasshouse infrastructure. Thismightmean that glasshouses
couldbe used inmany different waysmoving forwardwith very different
technology. The rise of other concepts such as vertical farmingwill nodoubt
Oa]e aIiN YVle [VWla` iU [Oe M\[\Ye iU M\lfilliUN UiJOe JYVWdeTaUds^OiJO^ill
mean commercial growing canbe achieved in cities and towns aswell as on
farms and in rural locations, creatingmanymore opportunities in the supply
JOaiU ;Ois alsVTeaUs MVY [Oe fiYs[ [iTe [Oa[ aWaY[ MYVT iUNlassOV\ses
aUd [Oe VWeU field JYVWs^ill Ie NYV^U aUdde]elVWed iUdiMMeYeU[ sWaJes
andbuildings such as growth chambers andpop-up units aswell as
more establishedpermanent buildings.While there are already successful
businesses in these sectors, therewill need tobemore than a few robust
I\siUess Jases W\[ [V [Oe [es[ fiYs[ IeMVYe iU]es[TeU[ is seeUVU a laYNeY
scale in theUK. But it does suggest the industry needs to ‘gear up’ for a very
different kindof future.While therewill always be glasshouses and farms
operating in the sector, we need to continue tobe open-minded about what
might be just around the corner.
TheCommercial GreenhouseGrower is amember of the Independent Press
StandardsOrganisation.We abideby theEditors’ Code of Practice and are
committed toupholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have
notmet those standards andwant tomake a complaint, pleasewrite to the editor
at the address above. If youwould likemore information about IPSOor theEditors’
Code, visit:
MAY 2018 •
CONTENTS
News
4-8
Robot ToControl Mildew
6
BusinessRates Equality
8
Pansy andViola
9-12
HortiContact
13-15
Nursery Visit
16-18
Flower TrialsPreview
19-20
CropProtection
21-23
HelpingHands
24-26
Classified
27
W
E
E
K
2
4
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