Last week marked significant recognition in Finnish horticulture, as Oripää's Kauppapuutarha Ylitalo Oy was awarded the title of Flower Quality Producer of the Year for 2024, and two companies were honored with the Horticultural Innovation Award for groundbreaking advancements in greenhouse technology.
Ylitalo Oy was presented with the prestigious Flower Quality Producer of the Year award at the annual Finnish Glasshouse Growers' Association meeting on October 30. Founded in 1981, Ylitalo Oy is one of the largest potted plant nurseries in the Nordic countries, producing about 2.8 million plants each year for the Finnish market. Their nearly four-hectare greenhouse space is dedicated to cultivating popular plants such as kalanchoe, geraniums, begonias, chrysanthemums, African violets, cyclamens, azaleas, and poinsettias, with recent additions of green plants. The nursery operates with a core team of 15 permanent employees and utilizes temporary workers for an additional seven full-time-equivalent positions.
Ylitalo Oy has implemented several eco-conscious practices in its greenhouses, including biofuel-based heating and 100% climate-friendly electricity. Their closed-loop irrigation system conserves water and fertilizer, using approximately 70% less than open systems. By recycling irrigation water, Ylitalo Oy reduces water and nutrient waste, and their pest control relies primarily on biological methods. They also produce some of their energy through a solar power system, further reducing their environmental footprint.
The company has invested heavily in technology to streamline operations. Mobile tables allow flexibility in plant handling, and systems regulate temperature, ventilation, daylight, and irrigation. Recently upgraded automation and robotics enable efficient processes for pot filling, arrangement, and thinning to meet rising demand. This long-term commitment to quality and sustainability has earned Ylitalo Oy the Flower Quality Producer of the Year award, given annually to nurseries bearing the Sirkkalehti (Sprout Leaf) label. Established in 1994, the award honors companies across categories including greenhouse vegetables, flowers, berries, fruits, seedlings, open-field vegetables, and potatoes.
The following day, October 31, the Finnish Glasshouse Growers' Association presented its Horticultural Innovation Award at New Technology Day, recognizing two companies that are advancing the greenhouse industry. ICRAS Motion Control Solutions was awarded for their open-source greenhouse automation system, which utilizes process industry automation devices over conventional controllers. This approach enhances flexibility, ensures secure access to spare parts, provides ample technical support, and offers a pool of skilled professionals. The system's open-source code enables easy customization and fast troubleshooting, allowing continuous improvement in production.
Biopallo Systems Oy was also honored for its aerobic decomposition reactor, an innovation that recycles peat-based growing media from greenhouses. The reactor processes used substrates, breaking down plant residues and roots while sanitizing the material, making it ready for reuse. This quick and efficient process preserves the peat's beneficial qualities and addresses sustainability challenges associated with peat use in horticulture.
This year, 15 organizations competed for the Innovation Award, each proposing solutions to advance greenhouse technology. "Greenhouse technology and cultivation methods are at an exceptionally high level," said Niina Kangas, Executive Director of the Finnish Glasshouse Growers' Association. "Greenhouse cultivation is one of the most reliable methods of food production, both now and in the future. We are thrilled to support the ongoing emergence of domestic innovations in this field."
Funded by the Horticultural Foundation, which was established in 1957 by the Finnish Glasshouse Growers' Association, the Horticultural Innovation Award includes a €3,000 prize for each winning project. The foundation supports research, testing, and projects aimed at advancing the Finnish greenhouse industry, strengthening Finland's role as a leader in sustainable and innovative horticulture.
For more information:
Finnish Glasshouse Growers' Association
www.puhtaastikotimainen.fi