Author | Yiyang Han Chenjing
Source | Cacti Youngplants
Stupid Orange
Deroose Plants
ikidane-nippon.com
synopsis
1. The innovative product "Sticculents" promotes the commercialization of cut flowers of succulents
2. The winter peony festival in Ueno Toshogu, Japan ends
3. Brazilian studies have shown that artificial coloring is harmless to plant growth
1. The innovative product "Sticculents" promotes the commercialization of cut flowers of succulents
Recently, Dutch start-up Cacti Youngplants and Orange Dummen Orange began working together to produce and sell the patented product "Sticculents" succulents. In the partnership, Dümmen Orange is responsible for the production of succulents, and the cactus seedling company uses "Sticculents" connectors to assemble succulents into cut flower forms and sell them worldwide. Previously, Cactus Seedlings and Drews USA Inc. have also begun working together to sell the cut flowers of this succulent plant throughout the United States.
The heads of Cacti Youngplants and Dummen Orange celebrate their partnership
In recent years, sales of succulents in Europe have grown very well, but their use is limited to potted flowers, and only a few florists will process succulents into cut flower forms when creating art. "Sticculents" is an auxiliary connector that can batch process succulents such as stone lotus, Haworthia, and blue-lock dragons into cut flower products. This connector consists of a head made of biodegradable plastic and bamboo instead of a stalk. "Sticculents" succulent cut flowers can be enjoyed for about 3 weeks, and can be combined with various flowers to produce a unique color and texture. Soon after its launch, this new product was quickly popular among florists and bouquet suppliers.
In this cooperation, Dümmen Orange's production site in Zimbabwe supplies succulents for the assembly of "Sticculents". Zimbabwe has a perfect climate and produces robust and plump succulents. Wander Tuinier, founder of Cactus Seedlings, said: "This patented product has great potential in the global market, succulents are very popular and customers are increasingly demanding the product. Our connectors can bring more diversified product types to succulents and give customers more choices. ”
▲ Succulent cut flowers sold by Drews America on its website
Drews Deroose Plants is a large producer and trader of potted succulents in North America. They have partnered with Cactus Seedlings to provide "Sticculents" succulents cut flower products to customers across North America through online and offline sales channels. "With Sticculents, we can offer something new for flower lovers. This is a great complement to our products. The most impressive thing is the combination of succulent cut flowers with a variety of other cut flowers. Drews sales manager Kyle Brewer said.
2. The winter peony festival in Ueno Toshogu, Japan ends
Some temples or gardens in Japan have the custom of planting winter peonies. The 41st Winter Peony Festival at Tokyo Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden just ended on February 23rd.
▲Billboards and signboards at the entrance of Toshogu Shrine
▲ A picture of a peony posted by the Japanese travel website Ikidane-Nippon
There are two kinds of winter peonies with Japanese characteristics, one is called kan-botan, which is an autumn peony, which blooms twice in spring and winter, with few leaves, dry outside the branches, and can continue to grow and bloom in the next year; One is called Fuyu-botan, which erases the flower buds in spring and blooms only in winter, with newly grown branches and leaves, rich leaves, and will not bloom again in the next year. This is still slightly different from the Chinese peony. Although there are autumn peonies in China, the winter temperature is too low and it is difficult to maintain them until winter; Flowering peonies are also difficult to grow outdoors in winter. In Japan, Ōne Island in Shimane Prefecture is the main production area for winter peonies, which are transported in pots to temples and other tourist attractions from December to January. Toshogu Shrine's exhibitions are dominated by winter peonies.
▲ 'Shimajin' (left) and 'Sundae' (right) peonies at the entrance
At the entrance of the peony garden, there are two winter peonies in full bloom. There is shelter above the 'Island Brocade' peony, and there is no shelter above the 'sundae' peony, and the roots are thick, fluffy coconut silk to protect against the cold. The wide, thin pink petals are delicate in the still cold weather of early spring.
▲Cold peony 'Togawa cold'
Going inside, different varieties of winter peonies are neatly planted under the flower trellis. There are dozens of varieties such as "Daijiden", "Island Beauty", "New National Color", "Yachiyo Tsubaki", "Kao", "Tianyi", "Seven Blessing Bells", "Five Great States", "Imperial Administration", "Sundae", "Spring Guangshou", "Lake of Shiratori" and so on.
The peony garden also has peony cut flowers and peony and plum blossom bonsai, and the rich flower colors are decorated with early spring colors. The long stand near the exit is covered with prayer plaques printed with peony motifs.
3. Brazilian studies have shown that artificial coloring is harmless to plant growth
Around 2012, a special craft that relies on artificial means to beautify flowers emerged in the Netherlands and has conquered the Brazilian market since 2020, but there are still many consumers who have doubts about flower products using artificial dyes. Recent studies by Brazilian scholars have shown that popular plant coloring materials are harmless to plant growth and people.
"The dyeing technology brings colorful, cheerful and interesting products to the Brazilian market, meeting the growing demand, so we are very satisfied with the results of this study." Antonio Hélio Junqueira, a consultant, professor and researcher at Veiling Holambra, Brazil's largest flower and plant cooperative, said. He worked on the research with Marcia Pets, a researcher at the Horticultural Trends and Market Intelligence Research Institute. He explained that flowers and plants are artificially colored with non-toxic, water-based and biodegradable dyes so that they do not pose a hazard to consumers, workers and the environment. But a survey they conducted on social networks and online forums with more consumers showed that consumers still feel uncomfortable with these colors, so they conducted the study.
Under the conditions of controlling light, temperature and relative humidity, plants and control groups treated with three different types of coloring processes and dyes commonly used in the market were observed and analyzed for 90 days. The experimental plants remained healthy and intact after coloration and, like those that did not receive any treatment, did not differ in growth, durability, and commercial quality maintenance.
Link to the original article of the paper:
https://ijaers.com/detail/post-production-growth-and-quality-of-echeveria-agavoides-and-echeveria-elegans-treated-with-artificial-coloring/