Viburnum Cultivation
We grow the Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ (Snowball) as an annual cut-flower shrub in containers. The bushes are kept outside year-round except during the few weeks they spend flowering in the greenhouse. From mid-April to October new branches grow on the bushes, which we then harvest every year between January and April.
From mid-October the leaves start dropping and the plants enter dormancy. For the bushes that are to enter the greenhouses first we apply day-length shortening and cooling, allowing them to be able to come out of dormancy earlier to start flowering. From the 1st of December these bushes are taken into the greenhouse where we use warmth to trick them into thinking it is spring and start flowering.
After spending about four weeks in the greenhouse the flowers are ready for harvesting. The branches that are just right are cut and sorted, after which they are prepared for sale.
Mediaverdi-Snowballs are known for their quality and reliability!
-Quality through cultivation
fertilization, organic pest control, plenty of space per bush both outside and in the greenhouse, assimilation lighting for sturdier and darker green leaves and shorter flowering stems.
-reliability through our strict sorting procedures:
*4 ball: the top four snowballs are beautiful, fully developed balls.
*2 ball: has the two best balls at the top of the branch.
*other: the balls are varied in size
Once all the flowers have been harvested from the bushes the bushes are pruned back and taken outside. This is done using transporter belts and a remote-controlled tractor with carts behind it. The bushes are placed next to each other so that they can be protected from frost using tarps, preventing dehydration.
Next, we bring in the new bushes into the greenhouse, which again flower after about four weeks and are then ready for harvest. In this way we have three cultivation cycles in the greenhouses and we produce snowballs from January to early April.
After the harvesting season all bushes are divided over the field using transporter belts and are connected to the watering system. Also, the bushes are then fertilized for optimal growth
For pest control we utilize the naturally available organic pest control solutions as much as possible. If necessary, we supplement these with natural pest control methods from outside sources. We are able to care for our crops in such a manner because we place a high emphasis on hygiene within the company. Any weeds are removed by hand.
