Colourful diversity
Under the motto "Quality & Innovation, the French Touch! the 15 exhibitors at the "Choose France" joint stand showcased a wide range of nursery, bedding and balcony plants, flower bulbs and seeds. Exhibitors presented new varieties and their top sellers, including agapanthus, alstromoeria, azaleas, bamboo, camellias, chrysanthemums, cyclamen, dahlias, fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, grasses, hortensias, mimosas, roses, rhododendrons, salvias and small fruit. Research, logistics solutions, marketing tools, pots and containers were also on display.
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The trade association
VALHOR, the French horticultural federation, represents and brings together 186,000 plant specialists and 52,000 companies in the horticultural sector, including floriculture, gardening and landscaping. The organisation aims to develop the potential of the sector, provide market knowledge, maintain quality at a high level, create a positive image of the sector and promote dialogue between professional organisations in order to support horticulture. Despite a somewhat anxious general mood, the plant market in the country is good. Rising energy prices are also a problem in France, but there is more government aid than in other countries. But no one knows how long this support will last. Inflation and purchasing power are currently a little higher than in Germany.During the IPM trade fair, an agreement was signed between VALHOR and the plant pot manufacturers Bachmann Plantec, CEP, Chapelu Fréres, Desch Plantpak, Modiform, Pöppelmann, Soparco and Tarpin Chavet to increase the recycling rate of plant pots sold in France. Among other things, the aim is to recycle 75% of plant pot material by 2030.
Only still domestic production
Sauve Guittet, a nursery based in the Loire Valley, is a breeder of potted Chrysanthemums and supplies a wide range of more than 400 varieties, all from its own genetics. About 50% of the young plants are exported. The pandemic stopped our production of all other types of plants, such as pelargoniums and other bedding and balcony plants," says Alain Sauvé, "because the cooperation with the customers, who were regularly supplied every two weeks before the pandemic, was no longer possible. Some of the employees have found new employers. For the time being, Sauve Guittet is only involved in breeding and mother plant cultivation, and only in France. "This allows us to be more flexible, which is necessary for our large clientele of small, medium and large nurseries that require different varieties depending on their production goals," says Sauvé. Orders for cuttings from the mother plant nurseries in Uganda used to take two weeks. In addition, there were regular transport problems with air freight, especially during the pandemic. "A learning effect from the Coron pandemic," says Sauvé.Last year's field season for potted Chrysanthemums was very good, the best in ten years. Today, about 50% each of the large-flowered Topfchrysanthemums and the smallflowered Multifloras are being sold. After a sharp increase in demand for mixed plants, this segment is now stable.
Bulbs and tubers
Flower bulbs, tubers and seedlings, also from the Loire Valley, are represented by Ernest Turc. The family business has 110 years of experience in breeding and production. It supplies the island of Mainau with flowers for the local flower shows. Turcieflor specialises in its own varieties of alstromeria and agapanthus, as well as the South African onion plant tulbaghia and canna. Sales manager Jean-Francois Schwab decided to attend IPM to meet international partners.
Cyclamen growers honoured
The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) presented the Grower of the Year (IGOTY) awards on the first day of IPM. French cyclamen grower Morel received the award in the young plants category. "This award is also important internally for our employees," said Morel owner Eric Beaude. Sales manager Guy Schertzer reported that orders for young plants are currently arriving a little late, as many growers are reacting to the reluctance of distributors. "I am cautiously optimistic," said Schertzer when asked if there will be shortages of cyclamen later on.
New products agency
Currently, 13 French nurseries are owners of Sapho, a 40-year-old plant novelty agency with a worldwide network of plant breeders, nurseries and agencies. Attractive new varieties are registered and promoted for the group. Criteria include external attractiveness, health and production efficiency. Examples include the panasched, bicoloured orange/lacetto Japanese Hydrangea macrophylla 'So Long Aya' with black stems, specially shaped flowers and firm, resistant leaves, and the French variety Geum 'Tutti Fruiti'.
