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Pot Anthuriums grown in nursery substrates
Menno and Jordi van der Lans have been cultivating potted Anthuriums at Fuerte Planta since 2000. Jiffy is proud to have supplied the brothers with professional substrates from the very beginning. We recently visited them at their greenhouse in Pijnacker, Netherlands, to thank them for 25 years of business and to hear how the nursery has developed over the last quarter century.
Niche production
Fuerte Planta focus on producing premium Anthuriums for florists in Western and Eastern Europe. Proudly independent, they’ve stayed away from mass production to maintain control over their operation and avoid being dictated by supermarket prices. Instead, they attract plant connoisseurs by growing about eight to ten species at a time, each with its own special color and shape.
The same mix for 25 years!
Menno and his father converted their family farm to a greenhouse dedicated to Anthuriums back in 1999. Menno soon found a young plant supplier who provided advice and suggested suppliers of other inputs, but he decided to conduct his own research. He eventually chose Ego for the new operation’s growing media. While Ego was eventually taken over by Jiffy, we’ve been able to supply them with the same substrate ever since.
Menno explains, “We’ve always used the same mix because it delivers great results. It’s airy and well-draining, which is what Anthuriums love.”
In fact, Fuerte Planta have made a few changes to their substrate over the years, carefully adjusting the peat content and experimenting with small amounts of compost and coir. “The slower you make changes, the better,” says Jordi. “What’s most important is the quality of the raw materials. Price doesn’t even matter; quality matters.”
Overcoming challenges
Three years younger than Menno, Jordi joined the operation in 2002. That year, Fuerte Planta faced serious root problems, leading to unsaleable plants. It was common practice at the time to feed Anthuriums generously to encourage flowering, but this approach didn’t resolve the issue. Cees van der Burg of Jiffy’s R&D Department came to the nursery and eventually identified the real problem: Fluctuating pH levels.
“Cees said we should try reducing our fertilizer levels and keeping the pH to a steady 6. It was a revolutionary idea, but it worked very well,” Menno recalls. “The new approach gave us a significant advantage because the healthier roots ensured strong flowering and attractive, compact plants.”
Innovation in action
These days, the brothers continually run small trials to understand each variety’s needs and to minimize losses. They use the Floriday platform to test new varieties in the market, selling a few trays at a time to reach smaller buyers. “If the trays sell out fast, we know we’re onto a winner,” says Jordi.
The greenhouse is heated with geothermal energy, and the potted plants receive abundant water from the overhead fertigation system—they are particularly thirsty in spring and summer. Nevertheless, mold and diseases are not a problem. “We avoid issues by making sure we only use good plant material, and plenty of good substrate and good water,” confirms Menno.
The premium Anthuriums in full bloom
A family business with future plans
Marcel Weering, Fuerte Planta’s Jiffy Account Manager for six years, reflects on the long-term partnership: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Menno and Jordi, building on a relationship that started 25 years ago. Jiffy have worked hard to make sure our professional substrate always measures up to their demand for quality, consistency, and reliability.”
Fuerte Planta’s dedication to quality, innovation, and strong relationships ensures they continue to thrive in the niche market of high-end Anthurium cultivation.
