Caution needed for open door days Dutch greenhouse industry

During the upcoming edition of Kom in de Kas (Get in the Greenhouse) on 7 and 8 April 2018, consumers will once again have the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes at the grower.

In Honselersdijk, the doors will be open as usual at Tuinbouwbedrijf Kees Stijger and tomato grower L.A. van Schie, but the visitors will have to make do with a look through the glass pane of the greenhouse. Both growers dare not take the risk and understand the possible disappointed visitors. Yet visitors do not have to worry that there will be nothing to do, because both companies will have enough activities outside the greenhouse. For example, there will be a tomato exhibition at Tuinbouwbedrijf Kees Stijger and a tasting can also be done.

In Steenbergen, the doors at Van Adrichem Kwekerijen are also open as usual. "There isn’t really much change. Just like last year, as a precautionary measure, we will keep visitors at a safe distance from the crop. Our visitors can walk through the paths, but the plants will be shielded with foil." To close completely was not an option for Van Adrichem: "That way, especially when only a few companies are open, you would jeopardize Kom in de Kas in the region."

For those who really want to be able to stand among the plants could, for example, go to BIO Kwekerij Frank de Koning in Brielle. Their greenhouses, including the tomato greenhouses, will be just open as usual. "There is no reason for us to keep the greenhouse closed, we are free of whitefly. Our resting period in the cultivation, when the ground lies fallow, helps with this. In addition, the weather is currently not yet conducive to cause a lot of spreading of whitefly." Also this grower cannot completely eliminate the risk of contamination with ToCV, but: "it is also important for us to really show the consumer what we are doing here. That includes being in the greenhouse.”