Successful exhibition for Dutch Plantin in Naivasha Kenya:

"Growing on substrate has a big future in Kenya"

Many growers and staff visited Dutch Plantin at the exhibition in Naivasha. Wim Roosen of Dutch Plantin was there to meet (new) customers and to inform attendees about coco and why Dutch Plantin coco makes the difference. Since rose growers in Kenya have been growing ‘out of the soil’, Dutch Plantin delivers them quite a bit of coco. Coco is very suitable for growing roses because it’s a pure coconut substrate. Several growers in and around Naivasha mix local pumice stone with coco peat from Dutch Plantin. "The result is a good and sustainable substrate on which they can successfully grow for many years", said Roosen. "Also young rose plants grow very evenly and root quickly on our coco peat. Because of big savings on water and fertilizer the growing on substrate has a big future in Kenya"

The customers are well satisfied with the quality of Dutch Plantin coco peat. A grower says: "We once bought some other coco because it was a bit cheaper, but we noticed the difference in quality immediately." Another major grower explains: "Cutting down costs on substrate is always at the expense of yield."

During the Naivasha show, Roosen stayed at the residence of growers Joost and Ingrid Zuurbier from Bilashaka Flowers at Lake Naivasha, a two-hour drive from Nairobi. "In addition to the 28 ha cultivation of roses the couple owns ‘a little paradise’ called Bilashaka Lodge. Bilashaka Lodge is a guesthouse in the middle of fantastic nature with many birds and wildlife. A great experience", added Roosen.

For more information:
Wim Roosen
Dutch Plantin Coir India Pvt Ltd
Tel: +31 610 569 218
Email: wim.roosen@dutchplantin.com
www.dutchplantin.com

Publication date: Fri 4 Oct 2013