Why organic plants?

Why organic plants?

We are often asked: "Why should I buy organic ornamental plants? You don't eat them." Fortunately, buying organic potatoes or lettuce is already standard practice for many people, but you don't immediately think of doing the same for plants for your garden.

Nevertheless, we are convinced that organically grown plants offer enormous benefits. We have summarised the main points for you below.

No artificial fertilisers are used.

Our plants are grown using composite organic fertilisers. This prevents the plants from being rushed, entering a state of stress and losing as few nutrients as possible to the soil. In addition, the micro-organisms in the soil are stimulated. The use of conventional (salty) artificial fertilisers kills the soil life. This method of cultivation results in balanced, robust growth, producing extremely strong plants.

We do not use any chemical or artificial pesticides.

This goes without saying. These substances are often toxic, disrupt the natural balance and, perhaps most importantly, we do not know their effect on our health. Thanks to the enormous variety of plants in our collection, which numbers more than 7,000 Thanks to the diversity of species and the maintenance of a rich soil life, we hardly ever have any problems with diseases. If a particular Phlox or Monarda often suffers from mildew, it is removed from the range. This naturally leads to a selection of healthy, resilient plants. Other pests, such as the yew beetle, are tackled using nematodes. In addition, we brew compost tea almost every two weeks, which we spray on our plants. This brew is full of beneficial fungi and bacteria that make the plants more resilient. In a good culture, this flora takes on a life of its own.

Leaf mould instead of peat

In conventional cultivation, especially in the Netherlands, it is standard practice for potting soil to consist of more than 90% peat. Gradually, the idea that this is no longer acceptable is gaining ground. This peat is mainly extracted in the Baltic States and Russia. For decades, the sampling machines have left behind lunar landscapes. The peat then has to be transported to Europe in large polluting ships, and that is when the damage really starts. Whether we throw the peat blocks into the stove as we used to, or use it in the garden where it decomposes, CO₂ free. We do not realise that this material has enormous CO₂There is another way. We have been composting fallen leaves for at least 40 years to produce a wonderful potting soil. This soil already contains a lot of nutrients (peat contains none) which are released very slowly. By adding organic fertilisers, mycorrhiza, rock flour and similar ingredients, we create a wonderful mixture that encourages soil life to flourish and allows plants to grow slowly and healthily.

Who checks this?

There is one supervisory body in the Netherlands that monitors this, namely Skal, the supervisory authority for organic products. They check whether we comply with European rules on organic production. This is no easy task; the rules are quite strict. For example, no rooting powder may be used when propagating plants. Every year, our entire administration is scrutinised and they can carry out unannounced checks. We are proud to carry the Skal quality mark.

A tricky issue

We are often asked about organically grown plants and tissue culture. Many new varieties are now patented and are subject to plant breeders' rights. We are not allowed to propagate them, otherwise we would be in breach of the law. These plants are often propagated in the laboratory using hormones. When we purchase these young plants, we have to apply for an exemption from Skal. However, Skal does not set a limit on the quantity that a company may purchase. Strange! We have imposed a maximum on ourselves: no more than 2% of the plants we offer come from tissue culture. These plants are purchased as small as possible so that they can be grown organically for as long as possible. This means that we are very critical of new patented varieties, because 2% is not much. Could we do without them? Could you, for example, do without Geranium 'Rozanne' or Brunnera 'Sea Heart'? For us, it would be a dream come true to take the big step and put a sign here at the entrance saying: 'This is a patent-free nursery'.