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Roelands Plant Farms Inc. Ontario, Canada

Jodi and Adrian Roelands together with production manager Arie Alblas in the first 4 acre phase of the propagation greenhouse in Lambton Shores, Ontario.
Jodi and Adrian Roelands together with production manager Arie Alblas in the first 4 acre phase of the propagation greenhouse in Lambton Shores, Ontario.
Roelands Plant Farms is located near Lake Huron; thanks to this they benefit from a cool breeze during Ontario’s harsh summer climate (hot days, warm nights) but during the extremely cold winter months the temperature also tends to stay a few degrees above average.
Roelands Plant Farms is located near Lake Huron; thanks to this they benefit from a cool breeze during Ontario’s harsh summer climate (hot days, warm nights) but during the extremely cold winter months the temperature also tends to stay a few degrees above average.
Tomato young plants that are almost ready to ship in the propagation greenhouse that was built by Havecon. The greenhouse is equipped with supplemental lighting and an advanced eb and flood floor.
Tomato young plants that are almost ready to ship in the propagation greenhouse that was built by Havecon. The greenhouse is equipped with supplemental lighting and an advanced eb and flood floor.
Besides a heated concrete floor, the greenhouse is also provided with a growth tube above the crop.
Besides a heated concrete floor, the greenhouse is also provided with a growth tube above the crop.
Hygiene and disinfection are a very important matter to Roelands. This self-made installation is used to make sure that all incoming trolleys and carts are cleaned comprehensively. Even the wheels get a treatment with chlorine.
Hygiene and disinfection are a very important matter to Roelands. This self-made installation is used to make sure that all incoming trolleys and carts are cleaned comprehensively. Even the wheels get a treatment with chlorine.
Another hygiene safety measure; the incoming area for dirty material is separated from the outgoing expedition area with clean materials.
Another hygiene safety measure; the incoming area for dirty material is separated from the outgoing expedition area with clean materials.
Roelands employs a large group of local workers. They are trained according to their quality and hygiene protocols.
Roelands employs a large group of local workers. They are trained according to their quality and hygiene protocols.
In order to streamline the operations and registration, Roelands recently started to work with HortiMax Productive. This is quite unique, as it is the first time that the application is used at a propagator. Roelands expects to realize severe savings in labour costs.
In order to streamline the operations and registration, Roelands recently started to work with HortiMax Productive. This is quite unique, as it is the first time that the application is used at a propagator. Roelands expects to realize severe savings in labour costs.
One of the HortiMax Productive terminals.
One of the HortiMax Productive terminals.
In this area the seeding takes place.
In this area the seeding takes place.
Sprouting in rockwool propagation plugs.
Sprouting in rockwool propagation plugs.
Roelands has a large amount of propagation media in stock. They propagate on both Grodan or Cultilene blocks, depending on the customers preferences. It is also possible to propagate on coir blocks.
Roelands has a large amount of propagation media in stock. They propagate on both Grodan or Cultilene blocks, depending on the customers preferences. It is also possible to propagate on coir blocks.
The spacing of the young plants is handled with automation.
The spacing of the young plants is handled with automation.
A view over cucumber plants that are ready to be shipped.
A view over cucumber plants that are ready to be shipped.
The propagation blocks with a Roelands logo, you will see those more often in North American greenhouses!
The propagation blocks with a Roelands logo, you will see those more often in North American greenhouses!
Banker plants are used to house a colony with beneficial insects for the biological IPM strategy.
Banker plants are used to house a colony with beneficial insects for the biological IPM strategy.
These Vertical V-Flo Fans from Vostermans are used to generate a uniform climate, while at the same time they save energy by pushing warm air back into the crop and driving the humidity out.
These Vertical V-Flo Fans from Vostermans are used to generate a uniform climate, while at the same time they save energy by pushing warm air back into the crop and driving the humidity out.
Roelands' automation can handle any block size.
Roelands' automation can handle any block size.
The propagation greenhouse consists of several separate sections that all have their own separately controllable micro climate and irrigation sections.
The propagation greenhouse consists of several separate sections that all have their own separately controllable micro climate and irrigation sections.
A batch of cucumber plants is shipped to a grower somewhere in North America.
A batch of cucumber plants is shipped to a grower somewhere in North America.
Roelands ships most of their plants to growers in Ontario (80%), but also in the North of the United States.
Roelands ships most of their plants to growers in Ontario (80%), but also in the North of the United States.
Sometimes they also ship to growers in the South; they even have customers in Florida.
Sometimes they also ship to growers in the South; they even have customers in Florida.
Besides the vegetable propagation, they also grow their own heads of Rijk Zwaan's Salanova lettuce.
Besides the vegetable propagation, they also grow their own heads of Rijk Zwaan's Salanova lettuce.
The Roelands' lettuce is marketed to local outlets and via Canadian marketeer Pure Hothouse Foods. Look at that unform quality!
The Roelands' lettuce is marketed to local outlets and via Canadian marketeer Pure Hothouse Foods. Look at that unform quality!
The process management of the irrigation and climate at Roelands’ is controlled with a Priva Connext.
The process management of the irrigation and climate at Roelands’ is controlled with a Priva Connext.
This year, Roelands’ is expanding with an additional 4 acres. This expansion (phase 2, built by South Essex Fabricating) will be connected to their existing glasshouses. For that reason, the connecting gable on that side of the greenhouse is now still a double insulated poly wall that will be removed once the expansion is finished.
This year, Roelands’ is expanding with an additional 4 acres. This expansion (phase 2, built by South Essex Fabricating) will be connected to their existing glasshouses. For that reason, the connecting gable on that side of the greenhouse is now still a double insulated poly wall that will be removed once the expansion is finished.