New options for plant growers with biostimulants and LED

“Are we also going to get paid more for the young plants we propagate?” With that question, a Canadian propagator closed out the International Propagation Seminar in Delft, the Netherlands, suggesting the industry consider a new business model. It proved a fitting conversation starter for the closing dinner.

Throughout the seminar, propagators from around the world gathered at the invitation of Grodan to discuss the latest developments in LED lighting and resilient growing, including biostimulants. These new techniques and tools represent real opportunities for propagators, but they also come at a cost, driving up production expenses. The shared goal is producing ever-better young plants. Passing those costs down the chain, participants noted, is what will allow propagation businesses to still be doing this a decade from now.

System resilience
The seminar, held at the Van der Valk Hotel Delft A4, marked its thirteenth edition. Joost Haenen noted with pride that attendance has continued to grow since the event began. This was the first year Joost served as host, taking over from Andrew Lee, who was honored for his role and remained active from the sidelines, posing questions to the various speakers throughout the day.

The audience of propagators was equally engaged, and the topics on the program sparked plenty of discussion. Anne van Diepingen of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) spoke about Fusarium and plant resilience, addressing what plant resilience actually means, whether it can be measured, and how it can be improved and encouraged. Anne also emphasized the importance of resilience at the system level, not just the plant level.

© Thijmen Tiersma | FloralDaily.comCesar Weijers (PlantiPower) and Maxime De Jong-Sabee (Beekenkamp Plants) present the results for the use of PlantiPower’s biostimulant All12 in cucumber propagation at Beekenkamp Plants.

What to do when working with biostimulants
Petra van der Goes of Plant Quality Solutions took on the role of plant detective in her presentation. She was critical of how hygiene is often handled in horticulture, arguing that the sector too often treats hygiene as a matter of appearance rather than substance, and that misconceptions persist about what hygiene actually means. A clean greenhouse, she stressed, does not need to be sterile. The experienced researcher also shared practical tips and advice on working with biostimulants.

Those insights proved useful, judging by the presentation that followed from Cesar Weijers of biostimulant supplier PlantiPower and Maxime De Jong-Sabee of Beekenkamp Plants. Trials conducted in Maasdijk tested the biostimulant All12 in cucumber propagation. The results presented showed that biostimulants can contribute to plant resilience, though not every effect is easy to quantify.

© Thijmen Tiersma | FloralDaily.comPanel discussion led by Matthijs van den Beukel with Jim van Ruijven (WUR), Thorben Looije (Valto), Petra van der Goes (Plant Quality Solutions) and Anne van Diepingen (WUR)

Plant growers are developing faster than legislation
The program also included two panel discussions, bringing in Thorben Looije of Valto and Jim van Ruijven of WUR alongside the speakers mentioned above to discuss hygiene and plant and system resilience. Panelists raised concerns about regulatory delays slowing the approval of new products. Jan Hulst of Bayer echoed that message in his presentation on crop protection, noting that propagators are being hit even harder than growers by the rapidly shrinking range of available products, while alternatives are slow to reach the market.

The closing sessions focused on LED lighting and artificial intelligence. Peer Hermans presented on behalf of Philips, and Don Cronin represented IUNU. They were followed by Paul Berkel of Proplant Propagation Services, John Potters of Vreugdenhil Young Plants, and Arthur van Marrewijk of breeding company Syngenta, who shared their experiences with LED lighting. As with the other topics discussed, one conclusion stood out: more research is needed, leaving plenty of ground to cover at the next International Propagation Seminar in 2027.

© Thijmen Tiersma | FloralDaily.comArthur van Marrewijk (breeding company Syngenta), John Potters (Vreugdenhil Young Plants), Peer Hermans (Philips) and Paul Berkel (Proplant Propagation Services) shared their experiences with LED.