Customers from all parts of China travelled to the Netherlands to connect with European breeders. Breeders welcomed flowers growers from the established parts of China, like Shanghai and Beijing. In addition to this, growers and stakeholders from emerging markets in China like Yunnan and Xiong’an travelled to the FlowerTrials locations to develop or strengthen relationships in The Netherlands.

Syngenta Flowers held their open days at its Young Plant Production location in De Lier. The theme, "Every Flower Counts," highlighted the commitment to strive for the highest possible quality in every seed that is developed and produced. Syngenta Flowers APAC Product Manager Menni Lui expressed, “The weeks before Flower Trials showed extreme harsh weather conditions for the moderate climate of the part of this country. Days before FlowerTrials the outdoor plants suffered heavy rainfall and storms. For the Chinese customers this was a very suitable test to see the plants coping with harsh weather conditions they might face in various parts of China.”

Technical Sales Manager Phoebe Xie accompanied several Chinese customers in their trip to the Netherlands and said, “It is good to see our flowers recovering so fast after the storm. This will give our customers confidence that our genetics are resilient and strong.”

Sustainable solutions

The event’s theme emphasized Syngenta’s ongoing pursuit of sustainable solutions in products and production processes whenever possible. At the display was a trial with peat free and low-dose peat growing of young plants. Various recipes without peat were used and the results looked very promising. 

For the landscaping business, the use of XDR or eXtreme Disease Resistant varieties can lower usage of chemical crop protection, improving the environmental footprint. 

In the Heat and Rain tolerant segment, growers could find varieties that stand out in the annual and perennial portfolio in their adaptability to long-lasting heat or heavy rainfall. 

For the Chinese market

Some of the varieties that were most discussed and appreciated by Chinese customers were the following:

Sweet Duet

Sweet Duet is a double-flowered and highly fragrant Antirrhinum majus. With remarkable vigor and long-lasting flowers, it's suitable as a product in landscape design, but is also suited for large premium pots. Retail appeal is created by its double flowers and sweet fragrance. The plants feature an upright habit with strong, well-branched stems that can be used in late spring and early summer. The Sweet Duet series is available in Apple blossom, Citrus, Deep Orange, and Peach, as well as a colorful mix.

Imara XDR & Cora XDR

Menni Liu said, “Disease-resistant genetics are a hot topic in the industry. Two major diseases, Downy Mildew (IDM) in Impatiens walleriana and aerial phytophthora in Vinca, have significantly influenced the market in the past years. Thanks to advanced research and development, Syngenta has brought to market Imara XDR (Impatiens walleriana) and Cora XDR (Vinca). Both have set a new standard in resistance to these plant diseases. XDR stands for eXtreme Disease Resistance. This is independently verified through field testing and the results are endorsed by established authorities in the field of plant diseases.”

Growers should keep in mind there is a difference between resistance and immunity. Immunity means that the plant is not subject to attack or infection by a specified pest. Resistant plants are still (lightly) affected by disease but overcome it quickly and restrict further development of the disease.

The fundamental understanding in the market is that there is no “silver-bullet” solution, but with the introduction of more resistant genetics like XDR, growers have another tool in their toolbox. 

Bright Sparks

This is a new Celosia plumosa that stands out in a crowd with 10-12 cm long plumes. Its bright red color makes it very suitable for landscaping, especially because in warmer climate conditions the variety is less prone to color fading. A nice aspect to note about Bright Sparks is that the secondary flowering matches the initial flower habit. Bright Sparks comes in both green and bronze foliage.

Starry White

Syngenta Flowers’ pelargonium assortment has several blockbuster series like vegetative Calliope and Mojo, and seed-based series like Pinto Premium, Reach out, and Horizon. New to the lineup is Starry White. It has an unusual flower pattern suitable for premium market. The open flowers can withstand both heat and rain. 

Red and Yellow

In the Dahlia assortment next to several compelling series like Sincerity, Midalio, Grandalia there are several varieties that are combined in a collection. They are not as genetically similar as color varieties within a series, but they can be combined quite well in landscape designs or in garden displays. In this Dahlia Collection the Red Bicolor was clearly a standout variety for Chinese customers. The color combination of the well-known flag colors, red and yellow, shows off well against the clean green foliage in this exceptionally good-looking flower variety. 

About FlowerTrials

During the FlowerTrials event at least 59 Pot and Bedding Plant Breeders proudly presented their new innovations, creative concepts, and an incredibly wide range of crop assortments. For technical information, retail inspiration, breeding breakthroughs, and to read about the latest trends, visit the FlowerTrials website: www.flowertrials.com. 

About Syngenta

Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality, and safety of agriculture with world class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources.

The content of this release is for information purposes only. This release is not, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or other property interests.

Contact:

Michael van Baekel – Head of Marketing APAC