Monthly Archives: August 2015

New research centre in Hungary for crops grown hydroponically in coir

Coir supplier Cocogreen and its Hungarian partner Duna-R have opened a new research and training centre for growers of paprika and other hydroponically grown crops.

Located in Szentes, two hours from Budapest, the new centre is in the heart of the Hungarian paprika (pepper) and tomato growing region, while other crops grown at the centre include strawberries, raspberries, aubergine, Gerbera, roses and turf.

The complex consists of six polytunnels and greenhouses featuring hanging gutter systems, Priva climate control and automated fertilization and irrigation units.  All crops are grown in Cocogreen Climate Mix coir substrates.

“There are growers in Poland and Austria with advanced glasshouses but in need of training to achieve optimal results with hydroponic systems,” says Attila Ruszthi, of Duna–R. “Growers can visit these trials and assess the results using local varieties, bred and grown at the trial station in Cocogreen coir substrates. We are organizing training and dedicated trials to meet their needs and to optimize our products according to their cropping strategies.”

“Cocogreen is committed to helping educate growers about using coir and associated hydroponic technologies,” added Thomas Ogden of Cocogreen, manufacturers and suppliers of coir.  “At this new trials centre, growers from Eastern and Central Europe can see at first hand the major improvements that can be achieved in comparison with existing systems.”

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John Rowntree leaves Tozer

Tozer Seeds has announced that John Rowntree, sales representative for Lincolnshire and the East of England, left the company at the end of June.

John joined Tozer Seeds in November 1996 and during 18 years he helped to establish some strong and lasting relationships with many growers, raising the profile of Tozer Seeds in the area. He was also instrumental in the introduction of the company’s UK bred, late season cauliflower program.

John has not retired but will continue to run his own business: Treedale, from his office in Lincolnshire.  David Rogers, Sales Director, said ‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank John for all his hard work and wish him all the best for the future.’

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HTA welcomes Sunday trading moves

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has welcomed comments by the Chancellor George Osborne during the budget suggesting that Sunday trading laws could be relaxed.

The HTA hopes that such moves will allow all retail businesses, including garden centres, to trade on a level playing field. HTA CEO Carol Paris said, “This could really benefit the horticultural sector as a whole and is one of the ‘asks’ of Government in the recently published industry wide ‘Ornamentals Action Plan’. The HTA has been lobbying on Sunday trading for over two decades now and we are delighted that at last moves are being taken to remove this outdated piece of legislation.”

She added, “This is all about choice – choice for the public to shop when they would like and choice for garden retailers to open when they like. With online trading allowing people to shop 24/7 it is ridiculous that someone can sit and eat in a garden centre restaurant (which are exempt from the law) on a Sunday and order garden product online but not actually purchase products in store. Gardening continues to be one of the nation’s favourite pastimes and weekends are typically when more time is spent on doing outdoor projects and so a relaxation of the law will no doubt provide a welcome boost to trade.”

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