Gary Lazarski told you all about the expansion plans of MightyVine yesterday. Now let’s focus on the tech! What will the greenhouse look like?
Due to the cannabis boom in Canada, it’s quite a busy time for greenhouse builders and suppliers, and the recently announced 15 acre expansion plans at MightyVine will contribute to this as well. “There is some pressure on the availability of building companies”, Gary confirms, but this has no influence on their construction schedule: this fall the greenhouse construction will begin. As before, VB Group will take care of the complete project. “In VB Group we’ve found a strong and reliable business partner and in Edward Verbakel I’ve found a person of good character. Both are equally important to me. In a multi-million dollar project inevitably problems will arise – you can’t build 30 acres of greenhouse without an occasional problem. It’s about knowing they will be solved in a fair matter, with a partner standing by your side.”
Business partners
Partnering has been an important topic for MightyVine from the start. Dutch tomato grower Frank van Kleef is a partner and a board member of the company, and Gary explains how he is not only a guiding force, but also makes sure the company is up to date with the latest technology and the best growing techniques. “Collaborating and staying up to date is critical to our success. Also thanks to Royal Pride Holland we have the opportunity to grow exclusive varieties to the US market, like Forticia and Robino, our TOV and cherry on the vine.”
Besides these tomatoes, MightyVine also grows various other varieties. “For in the mix packings or for specific customers”, Gary shows. “Roterno for example, a beefsteak and a yellow beefsteak (Be Orange). But the balance is important: growing various tomatoes also comes with challenges like blossom end rot, making it difficult for the grower. Of course if a customer is committed, we’ll plant for them – but we aren’t just going to say yes to everything. We have to focus on what we do well and consider growing fewer, but better products.”
Diffuse glass
As published yesterday, growing quality produce year-round is one of the key success factors in MightyVine’s relationship with customers. Therefore also the new greenhouse will be equipped with lighting.
And just like the last expansion, the new greenhouses will be equipped with a higher roofline (9 meters) and diffuse glass with two sided AR coating. “To us diffuse glass is certainly worth the investment: it enables us to better control the growing climate.”
Controlling the climate in summer is the biggest challenge, Gary explains. “In terms of growing conditions, to us winter is easier than summer. In winter we start heating and maintain a proper temperature, whereas in summer it’s hard to cool down the greenhouse in the night. At times in summer the temperature remains at 70-75 degrees at night, which stresses the plants out.”
He explains how their head grower Ruben Vicencio is currently facing challenges like heat, bugs and diseases every day. “He’s a great addition to our team and we want to provide him with every tool we can to respond to these challenges.”
