"I now understand much better the issues growers face every day and can serve my clients much better as a result!", said Jim van Ruijven.
It is important to deal sustainably with water, fertilizers and growing media in the production of food and ornamental crops. The Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector is a global leader in this, due to the knowledge that has been developed in recent decades. By building greenhouses and installing technology, this knowledge goes all over the world via Dutch suppliers. Cultivation in these greenhouses requires a great deal of knowledge, both from suppliers and growers.
© Wageningen University and Research
The Masterclass Soilless Culture gives substance to this by combining theory from the latest scientific developments with practical application. A group of 21 enthusiastic participants from the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world successfully completed this edition of the Masterclass last week at Wageningen University & Research Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture in Bleiswijk. Interactive lessons on the right combination of growing media, irrigation and fertilization gave the participating growers tools to grow more efficiently on their own farms. Participating suppliers, especially from the growing media industry, can thus better gear their advice to the needs of the growers they supply. A visit to a cucumber grower and to Anthura with an interactive discussion about soilless cultivation provided additional practical insights.
" An intensive course in which I gained so much background knowledge! This allows me to make much more informed choices for fertilization, growing media and water use on my own farm."
The Soilless Culture Masterclass is offered every year, with the next edition planned spring 2026. For more information, keep an eye on the Wageningen Academy website.