Leon Stolk, A & B Nurseries, shares experiences with Climstar

The new breed Climstar by Syngenta did surprisingly well in trials last year, leading to the vine tomato to be marketed for the first time this year. In the Netherlands, the tomato is grown on 31 hectares, spread across seven companies. One is A & B Nurseries, where Leon Stolk chose to grow the variety in his entire 4.4-hectare greenhouse.

Leon Stolk of A & B Nursery

The new Syngenta tomato is vigorous and makes a strong constant setting. Syngenta crop advisor Peter Geerts says: "Climstar is a sturdy breed that is well-balanced if grown properly; it is also very resistant against botrytis and other infections."

The Syngenta team, with Peter Geerts (left), Peter Colbers and Frank van Antwerpen. The tomatoes behind them are not really that big: it's a poster.

John Hendriks of Valstar Nursery visited the nursery to take a look at Climstar.

Enough reasons for Leon Stolk of A & B to choose Climstar for this year’s cultivation. "I haven’t done any tests with it, but I got the chance to see it develop at a neighbour’s nursery," says the grower from Berkel and Rodenrijs. "I wanted a coarse, productive, mildew-tolerant variety that was resistant against botrytis. Climstar answered to those conditions. The plants are full of fruits at the moment, so we expect a very high production in the coming weeks."

Leon Stolk telling all about it.