Topics 2004

December: Könst-Seminar in Bogotá, A Great Success!
October: Consumer website and new labels for garden plant assortment
October: Artflor Update: Production on Target!
September: Area Manager, Ton Nannes bids farewell
September: Product Update 2004 (Firenze, Calgary, Nairobi, Sukari & Samburu)
July: Elite® Certification for Könst Alstroemeria
July: On the road to...The International Horti Fair, 3-6 November 2004
April: Alstroemeria.com enhanced with a Conversion Table
April: Product update: Firenze and Parosse
April: Product review: Luxor
February: Artflor in 2003 ~ An Evaluation

Könst-Seminar in Bogotá, A Great Success!
In follow-up to an ‘open house’, which Könst Alstroemeria holds in many parts of the world, a seminar was organized in Bogotá, Colombia on 13 October 2004. This seminar was geared to the many interested partners and growers in South America and had a considerable turnout. The seminar program dealt with a number of issues in consecutive manner – starting with background information about Könst Alstroemeria, about botanical Alstroemeria varieties, developments in The Netherlands over the past ten years in the production of Alstroemeria, and it closed with the possibilities that new production methods hold for the future.

Here follows a brief summary of the seminar contents:

Background on Könst Alstroemeria and Botanical Varieties
Kees Gram, Sales Manager at Könst Alstroemeria, spoke about the early beginnings of Könst Alstroemeria and the introduction of botanical varieties. Anton Könst was the founder of the present day company. In 1972, he began with the breeding of Alstroemeria. In 1979, 2000 m2 was set aside for the production of Alstroemeria and 2800 m2 for the breeding program. In 1984, Könst Alstroemeria B.V. was established; and in 1985, the laboratory in which most of the plant production is now carried out was added. In 1996, the company made yet another major step, when it began a completely new production location at Artflor. In 2001, a breeding unit was set-up in southern France, whereby new varieties more adapted to warmer climates could be developed.

Developments in The Netherlands
Wilfred Keijzer, Production Manager at Artflor, spoke of developments in the production of alstroemeria over the past ten years. When Artflor was established in 1996, it was believed to be a production plant ready for the future. It had ground cooling and was equipped to administer CO2.
These were important developments in those years. Since then, CO2 accounts for about a 20% increase in the cut-flower production. By maintaining the desired ground temperature, it has been possible to face those periods during the year, when blind shoots present themselves; and, as a result, to achieve higher production levels and better overall quality.

Shortly after Artflor was established, an irrigation system and artificial lighting were introduced into the production of Alstroemeria. Currently, at Artflor, a DAC-System (Denar Aqua Control) is in use. This system provides moisture to the plants on an “as-need-basis”. The moisture level of the soil is regulated via tensiometers. When it is determined that the soil is starting to dry, the system is activated and in 30-second intervals moisture is administered until the soil again reaches the desired levels. In this way, the moisture of the soil is maintained at constant levels with little or no erosion.

Artificial lightning was also introduced in the alstroemeria production. Currently about 80% of flower nurseries in The Netherlands make use of artificial lighting for the benefit of their winter production. The levels at which artificial lighting is implemented can range from between 3000 to 8000 lux. In recent years, more companies are moving to a higher light intensity.

Managing for the Future
The final speaker in the seminar was Marcel Kers from Croppings B.V.
He spoke of the future directions in which horticultural crops are moving.
According to him, this will be based on the production of dry matter and its eventual dissemination over the other various components of a plant.
The production of a maximum number of stems of a given quality is for Marcel quite simple. The growers only have to make sure that they can identify what the delimiting factor is for optimal growth, and then modify their method of production accordingly. The factors that filter into dry matter are: light, leaf, water, CO2, and plant fertilizer. The leaf is especially a factor in which much more potential lies than has to date been reckoned with. This factor is marked-out in a Leaf Area Index (LAI).
An LAI of 3 on the index is optimal and should always be the goal. If the LAI is too low, then an optimal production of dry matter is not possible. If the LAI is to high, then there is too much “sinks” that cause a surplus of production waste.
By maintaining a certain temperature in the greenhouse, the rate of growth is determined. When this rate is well in tune with the amount of dry matter that is produced, consistent quality can be achieved.
When the temperature is too high in relation to the production of dry matter, the quality lessens. The closing presentation, gave rise to many questions from among the participants. And, in a short period of time, Marcel was able to introduce and outline a rather complex area of research.

Conclusion
The participants held the seminar in high esteem. The various aspects in the program gave cause for consideration and convinced the audience of the fact that there are still many possibilities for improving the growth and production of alstroemeria in the future. However, as simple as this is for Marcel, it may of course not be as simple when put into practice. Nevertheless, many present at the seminar will choose to exploit the ideas shared in an effort to realize further developments.
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Consumer website and new labels for garden plant assortment
Könst Alstroemeria has launched a new website: www.incacollection.com. This website is constructed for the retail customer. It depicts the garden plant assortment trading under the name Inca Collection®. The website provides the retail customer with a lot of useful information and can be seen as a virtual counterpart to the label. Information provided on the website is in six languages: English, Dutch, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. Due in part to this new website, we have also renewed the Inca Collection® label; it is now much larger (9,5-15 cm) and depicts a garden view as well as a close up of the flower. The label is also in six languages and it too promotes its counterpart, www.incacollection.com.
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Artflor Update: Production on Target!
Firstly: Plant cultivation data and photographs of the Könst Alstroemeria varieties grown at our production facility have been recently updated. You can access via the 'Artflor-Webpage'.

It’s autumn in the Netherlands; this means low light intensity, shorter days, and lower temperatures. The result of these climate changes is lower production. Around this time of year we can make a good prediction, whether our yearly production targets will be reached or not. Targets are set every year and are based on experience with prior years. We find that these annual targets are a motivating factor in our organisation – providing us with a goal in trying to reach them.

On Target
To date, the production of most of our varieties is a little higher than in 2003, which is pretty much the target set. Only Tampa® is a little behind target; however, we think that Tampa® will catch up. This prediction is based on the fact that we will implement a greenhouse climate in the autumn/winter, which is different from last years. The biggest adjustments are lower temperatures (daily average) and less hours of artificial lighting (HID).
Last year, we kept a day length of 17 hours. This year we started with 17 hours, however, in October we will reduce the day length to 16 hours and from mid- November until the end of the year, we will apply a day length of only 15 hours.
The daily average temperature at the end of the summer is usually around the 19oC. Last year we steadily decreased the temperature to 16oC in December. This year we will want to go as low as 15oC in December.
A day length of fewer hours combined with a lower average temperature should yield a higher quality crop, and the crop will have a better production going into 2005 by increasing the day length with HID in January.

Production Levels
We are satisfied with the production levels expected at Artflor this year. Luxor® and Calgary® were planted in late December 2003 and both will produce something close to 250 stems/m2. The second year crop of Tampa will produce about 350 stems/m2 and the third year crop of California will reach 370 stems/m2. The most productive varieties are still Napoli® and Valencia®. Both crops are over four years old and are expected to yield close to 500 stems/m2.
We see productions increasing every year and are certain that there are even more possibilities. What is important in reaching ambitious targets like the ones we hold are that the key growth essentials i.e. temperature, CO2, and the irrigation system are controlled.

Good luck in reaching your targets!

Wilfred Keijzer
Production Manager Artflor
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Area Manager, Ton Nannes bids Könst Alstroemeria farewell
After more than 15 years with Könst Alstroemeria, Ton Nannes has decided to resign his position. Ton will seek new challenges starting a business of his own. We at Könst Alstroemeria have always enjoyed working with Ton. And, while we very much regret his decision, we respect it. We wish Ton a successful future as an independent employer. Ton has always appreciated the business contacts he had with alstroemeria clients and agents; and, he would like to thank everyone for the confidence placed in him. Ton will be leaving by the end of September 2004; and, he is now in the process of settling current affairs and business matters. Should you have any specific questions, please contact us.
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Product Update 2004
Experience with our new cut flower varieties 2004

Español, Italiano, Français and 邦人

In order to make it easier for you to decide which new Alstroemeria variety is best suited for your area, specific information on all new 'Könst-varieties' for the year 2004 is provided here. This information can be used either for commercial and/or propagation purposes.

Firenze® - Konzifer
Absolutely one of the best alstroemeria varieties introduced since years! Firenze® has a unique eye-catching orange colour. The colour is equally spread over its big and lovely shaped flower. The flower stems carry a minimum of 4 to 5 large buds and can number up to 8. The fact that the leaves cannot be seen above the buds, gives this variety a very good presentation in bunch and sleeve.
Its growth and quality are very regular throughout the year. Firenze® maintains a good vegetation and stem quality in the summer as well as in the winter. Flower abortion (due to insufficient light) will not occur. The height is excellent, about 1.20m to 1,50m with little variation. Another very positive point is that Firenze® is heat tolerant and does not require soil cooling. While some soil cooling (to about 17 oC) may have positive results, no problems occur if this is not applied. In fact, the trial results in the Netherlands show that the production level of the non-cooled trial was better than the cooled trial. The trial without soil cooling gave only a few blind shoots and continued to produce well in autumn and winter. It appears that when the soil becomes too cold in the summer (with soil cooling), both the quality and production are somewhat less.
Firenze® is a “quality variety”, while it does not produce enormous amounts of stems, it produces first quality stems! The percentage of first quality is exceptionally high. The total production will be about 200 to 230 stems per m2 (without artificial lighting). It is Important to know, however, that you have to cut (not pull) this variety for a longer period than average. The rhizomes of this variety come-up easily with the stems, therefore it is necessary to plant this variety deep enough to ensure its steadfastness. Yellowing of the leaves can occur in soils or substrates with a very high pH level.

Calgary® - Koncalga
This alstroemeria variety is all about an extremely huge and impressive white flower -the center of which mellows to a crème-white! The stems are huge and impressive as well, giving Calgary® the advantage of producing a high percentage of first quality stems. The best planting period will be from February to May. Earlier planting allows for an increase in its length in the first production period (that is in the Spring) and its production will be less regular. The same applies for late plantings in June and July. The height can vary from 1.30m to 1.80m. Calgary® is relatively heat tolerant; however, we advise soil cooling (15 oC), thus keeping the stems at a more workable height. The production will vary between 200-240 stems/ m2.

Nairobi® - Konorbina
The colour setting of red and white is tremendously attractive! When you combine this with an excellent bud presentation, flower formation, leaf-colour and quality this alstroemeria variety renders a superb presentation. The specialist would call Nairobi® a butterfly type, which basically means that the height is limited (1.00m to1.30m) and that in Autumn/Winter - if cultivated without soil cooling - it will produce a lot of blind stems and fewer flower stems. Therefore we advise cooling the soil, but not too much (to 16 oC). It is also important to maintain enough vegetation to ensure sufficient length and quality. Should the crop’s density be too open in the spring, we advise pinching the blind and thinner stems instead of cutting them. Production is between 210 to 230 stems / m2. When greenhouse temperatures and light levels are low (in winter), some bud abortion takes place.

Sukari® - Konsirak
Production, Heat Tolerance, and Beauty are the keywords for Sukari®! If you don’t have soil cooling, but want to have an alstroemeria variety with a very high production, a variety easy to manage, and one that offers good quality, then Sakari® meets these demands. Nevertheless, some soil cooling (to 17 oC) renders a better production and limits the plant’s height. Sukari has a dazzling pink coloured flower with high quality leaves. The stems are very straight, sturdy, and of average thickness. The height varies between 1.50m and 1.80m. The production is very regular. Sukari® has a good winter production and does not lack vegetation in the summer. Total production will be between 250 and 290 stems per m2 - and even more!

Samburu® - Konsumbra
With its pink edges and yellow and white center, the big flowers of Samburu® surely possess a unique colour! This variety has a wonderful bud presentation, a very good production (250-280 stems/m2), is easy to grow, and is heat tolerant. Although it will produce some blind shoots without soil cooling, it continues to produce enough flower stems without soil cooling in the winter. When using soil cooling, we advise keeping a soil temperature of 16 oC. Samburu® has an average stem quality; however, under very humid conditions and with a lack of natural light, its stems may become weaker. For this reason, Saburu® is more suited for climates in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya.

All of the data provided above has been obtained from trials in the Netherlands and/or southern France. More product information can be found on our Product Webpage. If you would like further detailed advice on growing conditions, please do not hesitate to contact your Area Manager and/or Agent. Contact information for Könst Alstroemeria Area Managers can be found on the Area Manager & Agents Webpage.
Español, Italiano, Français and 邦人
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Elite® Certification for Könst Alstroemeria
Könst Alstroemeria - the only alstroemeria breeder with an Elite® “Naktuinbouw” certificate

We are proud to announce that our product is certified with the prestigious Elite® Naktuinbouw certificate. The growers’ requirements relating to identity, health, and quality of propagating material are becoming increasingly stringent. In order to ensure that those requirements are met, Naktuinbouw has developed a system for certifying propagating material. Propagating material sold under the Naktuinbouw’s Elite® certificate is free of disease and has a healthier vitality. This ensures propagating material and plant products of high quality. And, in this way, Naktuinbouw Elite® certified material offers to the propagator and the buyer both assurance and added value.

Click on this link for more information on Elite® Naktuinbouw certification (pdf).
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On the road to…
The International Horti Fair, 3-6 November 2004, Amsterdam RAI, Netherlands

The biggest and most important horticultural exhibition worldwide: the International Horti Fair brings with it an equal amount of organization. This article describes the major steps along the way in getting the exhibition to its grand finale.

This year the exhibition will be held from Wednesday, November 3rd until Saturday November 6th. In order to have everything organized on time, the staff at Könst Alstroemeria already begins preparation in July. Not withstang the fact that Application Form was already completed and mailed last December. This minimizes the risk of not being assigned space for the exhibition.

Around July the Organizing Bureau sends all pre-registered exhibitors the Participants Handbook. This handbook informs the exhibitors on the DO’S & DON’TS and contains an assortment of registration and ordering forms, relating to entry tickets, advert space, Internet publicity, electricity, and the introduction of new varieties, etc. However, the most important information that they supply in July is our stand location and measurement. This year Könst Alstroemeria will be at stand No.11.0713 and will measure 57,5 m2. This is important information, because the location (in which row, in which hall, in which place in the hall) is significant for the rate of potential customers that will visit us in the RAI. The location and dimension is also important for the design of the stand. In particular, for changes and alterations in a stand and its furnishings used the year before.
Further, this is accompanied by a floor plan, which provides the location of needed outlets and services including: electrical connections, emergency exits, fire extinguishers, the support columns around the stand, etc. This floor plan also provides us with the names of our direct neighbors. Should we for any reason be dissatisfied with either the location or dimension, it is possible to file a relocation request. However, this does not guarantee that you are automatically allocated a better (or even another) stand location.

The real thinking starts at the moment the location of the stand is final. For then, we have to turn our attention to a number of critical issues, such as: type of design, how many and which varieties will be on display, do we have all these varieties planted at our own facilities, how much space is needed to sit down, how much storage room is necessary, which variety needs special attention, and as if you couldn’t imagine numerous others.

The next step is the drafting of several and different stand-designs in order to arrive at a rough idea and sketch of what we want. And then, it’s time to bring in a professional stand builder. For the past years, Konst Alstroemeria has been working with Cees van Bergen Standbouw based in Aalsmeer. They will have a look at our drafts and bring in some ideas of their own. And, in this way, little by little, the stand develops to an end result. Usually, the stand builder works out several options in detail and provides us with a price quote on each option. Important information related to costs is not in the design and construction of the stand, but also costs related to its placement, dismantling, and storage. These variable costs have to be calculated and considered for each option.

By this time, the flower arranger will have already become involved. Together with the flower arranger, we determine what types of arrangements will be used. The flower arranger also has a considerable say in the colors used for the stand structure and furnishings. For many years now, Konst Alstroemeria has worked with Peter and Marian Stokman Design, also based in Aalsmeer.
Once the decision was made to use the same structure as last year, we were able to have saved considerable time and sidestepped a numbers of activities required in the creation of a new stand. However, one important modification will be made this year - the dwarf alstroemeria collection i.e. the Inca Collection® (garden- / pot) will receive more attention and space.

As earlier mentioned, our stand number for the coming Horti Fair this November is No.11.0713. As a tip in understanding the full logic behind this long stand number:

Hall	11
Row	07
Stand	13

More information at http://www.hortifair.nl/
Open the following link for pictures of our previous stands.

While we definitely want to meet you (again) this year at our stand in the RAI and at Artflor’s Open House held on the same days as the Horti Fair, why wait? Our welcome to you is extended anytime.
Kees Gram
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Alstroemeria.com enhanced with a Conversion Table

Alstroemeria are grown the world over. Because different units are given to temperature, distance, and other measurements, it takes time to understand each other accurately and correctly. For this reason, Könst Alstroemeria has added a Conversion Table to its website. We hope this will help you interpret and understand our growing information and data better.
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Product update: Firenze and Parosse
Superb quality and presentation!

Both varieties have amazing good stem quality and provide the consumer with a copious bunch. The large beautiful coloured buds protruding well above their leafy crowns provide an amazing number of flowers per stem. This guarantees a striking presentation in sleeve or bunch. Besides stem quality, Firenze and Parosse hold yet another similarity and that is production. While their production is not excessively high - as is the case with certain other “quality varieties”, we anticipate with certain that their levels will be more than adequate. For when production is linked to the percentage of first quality stems, which is extremely high for both varieties, and when high labour costs are discounted, then Firenze and Parosse become the growers’ choice.

Firenze
This variety is as attractive and stunning as the city for which it was named (Florence). Firenze has large orange flowers, as eye-catching as the tiled roofs of the Renaissance. It is, however, important to mention that Firenze’s stems need to be cut for a rather long period after its first flowering. The root system needs more time than the average alstroemeria to develop into the strong plant, which it is. If you pull the stems too early on – you run the risk of uprooting the rhizome. We can also mention here yet another positive quality of Firenze - it is fairly heat tolerant. And, as it looks now, it is likely possible to grow Firenze without soil cooling.
More pictures of Firenze.

Parosse
“A better bud presentation is hardly possible” – the buds are so big and nicely coloured that you may even start doubting if they are real? However, It is not an alstroemeria for every climate. Parosse is a so-called “butterfly type” and we advise this variety to our customers who are located in moderate climates. The use of soil cooling and HID-lighting is advisable. Without HID-lighting, you will need to keep the greenhouse temperature a degree warmer in winter).
More pictures of Parosse.

We are continually gathering more information and data on these two varieties and will make it available to you on an ongoing basis. Parosse has already been planted at Artflor, our cut flower nursery, and can now already be found at auction. Firenze will likewise be planted at Artflor and cut flower production is expected by spring of 2005.

More information can be found on the product page.
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Product review: Luxor
Last year we introduced a promising yellow variety called Luxor – what are the results thus far?

In our newsletter from last October, we wrote:

“Will Luxor® be the yellow variety everybody is waiting for? We surely feel that worldwide Luxor® will score high on the list of top quality Alstroemeria varieties. This lemon yellow variety grows amazingly easy and has a very homogeneous shape and quality. Luxor® grows efficiently: it produces nice short, strong and straight stems. Leave quality is excellent. The plant produces many flowers per stem and the bud-presentation is reasonable. The only 'disadvantage' could be the flower size, which is not very big. As an easy grower, the plant has no difficulties in creating vegetation and the crop does not get 'open' (no pinching necessary!). At this moment we are not sure, if Luxor® requires soil cooling. Our assumptions are that moderate soil cooling will be advisable.

Our assumption regarding the heat tolerance was correct – we don’t advise growing Luxor without soil cooling. However, we still don’t know if Luxor will be the yellow variety everybody is waiting for. What we do know is that Luxor is very easy to grow. It is a labour friendly alstroemeria, which offers very good quality. We know this, because of results from Artflor, our own cut flower nursery.

More pictures of Luxor.

Here are some of the facts that we found about Luxor:
• Planted in week 51, 2003 – first “serious” production: week 8, 2004
• Production until week 12, 2004: 21 stems / m2
• Percentage of 1st quality: 90%
• Average price: € 0,30 / stem (average auction: € 0,19 / stem)
• And, as the quantity of Luxor increased, so did its price!

Luxor produces new shoots easily and regularly guarantying production levels. We kept track of the shoot production and recorded good development after planting. Since the crop is now established, we anticipate a continued and steady production of quality stems.

Week	# Shoots
3	8
4	11
5	15
6	15
7	13
8	13
9	11
10	14
11	21
12	24
13	24

More information can be found on the product page.
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Artflor in 2003 ~ An Evaluation

Looking back on the past year, we can conclude that Dutch alstroemeria growers had a difficult year - with only modest results. In early spring, consumers were focused on their home gardens and patios. Spring was followed by the hottest summer ever in Europe; and, consumers on European markets were looking more to a cool wave on the (North) Sea or an ice cream in the shade. Under such weather conditions, flower sales can hardly compete.

Despite of all this, Artflor did book some interesting results. Most of the crops produced well and abundantly. Napoli and Valencia almost reached 500 stems the square meter. California, Macondo, and Tampa produced reasonable amounts of up to 350 stems the square meter.

In the Netherlands, it is important to keep check on energy and labour costs. One example of saving energy is the use of a shade curtain underneath which a layer of plastic foil (for insulation) is attached. With this foil insulation, it is possible to achieve desired temperatures in winter from 14-15oC / 57,2-59 o F. And, in the summer, the layer of plastic foil is then removed leaving only the shade curtain in place.

In order to keep labour costs down, a high quality crop is of utmost importance. A high quality crop requires less work with harvesting and upkeep. Besides shade curtains Artflor also implements insulation curtains, soil cooling, a DAC-watering system, supplemental Co2, as well as HID-lights. The HID lights have a light intensity of 4000 lux and are illuminated up to 17 hours a day from August till April. As soon as the natural light reaches a level of 180 Watt/m2 the lights automatically switch off. However, this doesn’t mean that you only need HID-lights to get a quality crop. Basically it’s like baking a pie – if you add more of the one ingredient – you need to add more of the other ingredients as well. With growing alstroemeria this boils down to the fact that when adding a longer day and a higher light intensity – you also need to maintain higher temperature and add more water, more fertilizer and more Co2. If you keep the amount of all ‘ingredients’ in balance, the result will be a quality crop.

Theoretically, it sounds very simple - yet in reality - every year is different. From each year we learn a lot and we continue reaching for the optimal result.

Looking to the immediate future, one has reason to be optimistic. While it is impossible to predict the weather for the coming seasons, chances that it will be worse than 2003 (for growing flowers) – seems rather small.

On a more predictable note, we have planted a number of new alstroemeria including: Calgary, Modena, Firenze, Puma and Parosse. We are looking forward to harvesting these very promising new varieties. All of them have gotten off to a very good start and with spring on its way, it will be a real pleasure to see them through to fruition.

On a closing note, I take this opportunity to mention that Artflor is open to visitors year round. If you’re in the neighbourhood – stop in and experience how we grow new Könst varieties.

Wilfred Keijzer,
General Manager Artflor – Könst Alstroemeria Cut Flower Nursery
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