To Salzburg for the variety show

In the Gastager Gartenbau show garden in Siezenheim/Austria. From left: Josef Gastager, Thorsten Köhn (Selecta one), Ann Jennen (Fleuroselect), Klaus Gaumann (Selecta one) and Stefan Gastager. © Christoph Killgus

The professional highlights of this year's event in Salzburg and the surrounding area were visits to several dynamic companies. Gastager Gartenbau in Siezenheim (gastager-gartenbau.at) has developed over decades into a modern production company that supplies a wide range of young plants in particular, but also raw and finished goods. The range includes bedding and balcony plants, poinsettias, kalanchoe, perennials and chrysanthemums. Gastager works together with a whole range of growers, by far the most intensive cooperation is with Selecta one. Two sales representatives look after customers throughout Austria. Gastager also has customers in Germany and Slovenia. The production area has grown to almost 30,000 m2 as a result of many construction phases in recent years. The technical equipment includes two insertion robots and a packaging machine for pelargoniums in 104-pack trays. At least 90% of the thermal energy can be obtained from biomass. A photovoltaic system generates 230 kWp. The annual production volume is 8 to 9 million young plants and up to 2 million potted plants as raw or finished goods. A new loading hall supports logistics, especially in the first few months of the year when shipping is particularly intensive. Customers can find out about the product range in a large show garden.

Renner Print Media in Neumarkt/Wallersee specializes in advertising and printing for the green sector. © Christoph Killgus

"Graphic designers, photographers, printers and gardeners join forces". This is how Renner Print Media from Neumarkt/Wallersee briefly and succinctly introduces itself. The agency and print shop's services include photo productions, for which the nearby show garden of the Renner gardening agency is an ideal location. Renner Print Media was originally a spin-off of this horticultural agency, founded in 1996. In 2009, the company built its own production facility, which doubled in size in 2019, reflecting the company's rapid growth. Today, Renner Print Media has 50 employees and a turnover of around 8.5 million, producing labels, flyers, catalogs and advertising materials of all kinds for customers in the horticultural sector. These include small family businesses as well as large garden center chains.

Hans and Maria Renner have built up a magnificent show garden over many years. © Christoph Killgus

The large show garden of Renner Gartenbau-Agentur, also based in Neumarkt, has been built up by Hans Renner over many years and with vision in partnership with several breeding companies, of which Florensis plays a special role today. This came about years ago through a chance meeting between Hans Renner and Herman Hamer at Danziger in Israel. The size and quality of the show garden amazes visitors. Something similar is otherwise only known from large breeding companies. Hans Renner is a real novelty scout who has helped many a breeder achieve a breakthrough.

The Fleuroselect conference program included excursions into the dream landscape of the Salzburg region - a boat trip across Lake Wolfgangsee as well as a ride on the cog railroad up the Schafberg and a festive evening dinner in Salzburg's M32 restaurant. Program items such as these help to ensure that the members enjoy taking part, remain in contact with each other even though they are often in competitive situations - and develop many a joint idea. None of this would be possible without the great commitment of the Fleuroselect colleagues.