Tom Leybaert from Moerbeke ( BE ) start in the Azalea business concern but now also produces Rhododendrons , Blueberries , Nandina , and Agapanthus for a class - round supply . As the requirement for peat - free crops grows , Leybaert is exploring the possibility for his companionship : “ We ca n’t stick our heads in the sand . ” The baby’s room in Belgium is , therefore , to the full engaged in the research form . Leybaert is taking his time . “ It could have a big economic impingement if it goes wrong , ” says Tom Leybaert .
For the Belgian agriculturalist , it is a big footprint . For eld , he has relied on high - character peat as a “ reliable ” soil . “ But , ” says Leybaert , “ with the growing need from the trade , we need to make the replacement quickly . That is not done easily . It submit a luck of inquiry to get started with it . It can be done well once , but in the coming years , we want to be able to bring home the bacon persistence and constancy in our production . The customer does not require to compromise on that . ” For acid - loving craw – a large part of Leybaert ’s production – a substrate with less peat remain a bountiful challenge . “ It ’s about determine the right balance . weather condition conditions also wager a function . you could see that you have to respond differently to the demand . You have to create sufficient drain , but at the same prison term see to it that you’re able to retain moisture for drier stop . ”
Tom Leybaert ( r ) is examining plant growth with Jiffy ’s account handler , Lars Tolenaars . The Belgian grower is guide tests with substrates containing less peat
OpportunitiesLeybaert has not yet examine gross peat - costless substrates , but he has already successfully tested potting soil contain less peat . “ We did fifty / fifty . It really did n’t disappoint . I ’m convinced there are opportunities . ” The cultivation periods at Leybaert are long , ranging from twelve to eighteen month of production time . “ That reach it more difficult to switch . The ship is a bit clumsier . ”
That ’s why Leybaert works with a supplier that he can swear on . “ Substrate is a topic of trust , ” says the grower . “ Jiffy is a strong better half not only for us but for many others as well . We have a fate of differences in various crop groups , such as Nandina and Azaleas . Jiffy deals with that very specifically . They examine to offer customization for each product . It give confidence to have a stable spouse . So you do n’t feel like you ’re on your own . Not everything that is imposed on us is potential . But we have to be open to doing the research and seeing how far we can go to keep the environmental impact as low-pitched as possible . ”
For more information : Jiffy Products InternationalLars TolenaarsTel . : +31 ( 0)6 51743087[email protected]www.jiffygroup.com
