Due to root problems, pepper growers in Canada have started to take another critical look at their substrate. Many are switching to growing on coco substrate. Whether that is the solution remains guesswork without full clarity on the causes of root problems, but growing peppers on coco substrate is certainly a good idea. At Houweling Americas, they are gearing up for peak business.
Meanwhile, the two companies have officially been working together for over five years. Dutch Plantin was already active in the North American market, but the company was looking for good local representation. In turn, Houweling Americas was looking for 'premium partners' with premium products to serve local growers.
Local network
"We only want to offer growers the best," said Mike McLean when we spoke to him at the Houweling Americas booth at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference. "We started with Dutch Plantin and now offer an increasingly complete package of products, including, for example, water treatment products, biostimulants, and hygiene products. Suppliers usually report to us themselves asking if we would represent them locally."
Canada is a large country, and so Houweling also works with local people for the various horticultural regions. Despite the head office being in the Netherlands, Houweling is in the process of switching from an export company to an international company, with local branches. In both Ontario and British Columbia, Houweling has such branches, from which it wants to serve the entire North American market.
Dirk Schouten is the man for part of Ontario, British Columbia, and North American growers can also count on his support. Alexander Beechey deals with the western part of Canada.
In the last few months, Jan Chechalk has also joined the team. Jan used to be a grower himself. He has experience in bell pepper, cucumber, tomato, and cannabis. Jan will focus entirely on the Ontario market, which also is the market where Houweling Americas and Dutch Plantin are currently seeing many pepper growers switching to coco substrate.
Dirk Schouten, new man Jan Chechalk and Mike McLean in white from Houweling Americas with Wim Roosen from Dutch Plantin at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference
Switch to premium coco substrate
"For new planting in December and January, growers are switching from rockwool to coco substrate," Mike points out. "Also, growers are switching from lower quality coco substrate to premium quality coco substrate from Dutch Plantin."
Jan adds that growers who have already grown on coco subtrate from other suppliers have experienced problems with deterioration of size quality during the season. Not all coco substrates are the same. "Lower quality substrate tends to fall apart during cultivation. As a result, the mat loses its shape. Water accumulation can also occur, which in turn can lead to more disease pressure."
Jan helps growers find the right coco substrate composition and mat size. Due to the strong demand for coco substrate, getting enough coco substrate to Canada in time was a challenge. Wim Roosen of Dutch Plantin: "Early in the year, we therefore started to take stock of the demand." Mike: "We ask for commitment from the grower. The grower trusts us to have what they ask for here on time. And that has worked out. The coco substrate comes directly from India to Canada."
Growth outside Canada
Outside Canada, Wim, who is celebrating the 30th anniversary with Dutch Plantin this year, also sees a rising demand for coco substrate. "Dutch pepper growers have also started growing coconut in recent years because of root problems. And with success."
The increased demand has been accommodated by the anniversary-celebrating company by growing from its first factory in India in 1994 to 15 production locations with 1,500 employees spread across 4 countries. Additionally, the company has its own factory where they build with their own machines.
For more information:
Mike McLean
Houweling Americas
[email protected]
www.houwelingamericas.com
Wim Roosen
Dutch Plantin
[email protected]
www.dutchplantin.com