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N I E U W K O O P G L O S S Y

Edition 16

22

Dear Reader,

Measuring a plant's energy level? Today you can. An outsider might

not always realise it, but our sector is incredibly innovative and

increasingly adopting the latest technologies. Consequently, the sector

is rapidly changing in several areas.

Residual heat from data centres is used to heat greenhouses. Specially

coloured lamps are used in grow rooms to speed up plant growth.

Equipment has been developed which can measure whether a plant is

obtaining or losing energy by using a certain type of soil or a change

in the amount of light in the room. And robots have also been intro-

duced in many greenhouses. The way in which we produce plants is

therefore changing enormously.

If we look at the changes technology has brought about commercially,

the biggest shift is in how plants are offered nowadays. Web shops

dedicated to plants are proliferating and in the business market, too,

we see more and more customers ordering online. And that trend is

continuing. For Nieuwkoop, a reason to give the current website a

thorough makeover. We aren't yet letting on any details, but we're

looking forward to offering you a great tool which will help you

explore and identify the right products for your customers online.

Board of Directors Nieuwkoop Europe,

Henk Nieuwkoop & Danny Gerritsen

AGENDA

6 - 8 November 2019

Nieuwkoop Europe Open Days

De Kwakel - the Netherlands

6 - 8 November 2019

Royal FloraHolland Trade Fair

Aalsmeer - the Netherlands

Subject to changes

ColophoNText/Photography:

Nieuwkoop Europe & Ki Plant Concept

Concept and idea: Ki Plant Concept

Published by: Nieuwkoop Europe

Graphic Design: You’re On!

NiEuwkoop EuRopEHoofdweg 111

1424 PE De Kwakel

The Netherlands

+31 (0)297 363163

copyright © Nieuwkoop Europe BV 2019

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ABOUT The cOver:Pinus mugo is a dwarf mountain pine. This little pine tree

can survive in temperatures well below freezing and keeps

its lovely green needles in winter too. An excellent plant that

you can leave outdoors all year round. Then in May and June,

baby fir cones appear on the branches.

4 The history of the house plant

6 Ready for spring

8 Everything for the patio

10 Different types of composite

12 'Goede Doelen Loterijen' office

wins a green prize

16 Palms in varying heights

18 Rhapis

19 A compulsory plant passport

20 Hand-decorated

22 Schefflera

24 200 kinds of green

26 Botanical nomenclature

27 How much nutrients does a plant need?

28 Every colour of the rainbow

30 Krinkels Greencare

32 Measuring sap flows

34 Assembly service

36 Upside down?

37 Taking the escalator

37 Column: Sander Kroll

38 The new building is nearly finished

40 Nostalgia on the wall

41 Sven de Jongh

42 A handy luxmeter

43 Climbers are also hangers

44 Static

Edition 16 - March 2019

1206

16 20

30 38

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Today, an interior is not complete without one or

more house plants. But that wasn't always the case.

it was only in the mid 19th century that it became

fashionable to bring plants into our homes. And in

recent decades, plants have become a permanent

feature in our interior design. in this article, we look

at the history of the house plant.

Exotic plants from faraway countries

At the beginning of the 16th century, explorers brought the

first exotic plants back with them to Europe. Initially they were

looking for edible and medicinal plants. These plants were

then grown to make medicines. It was only in the 18th century

that people became interested in the aesthetic side of plants.

Initially, plants were kept by the wealthier classes to show off

their expensive and exotic vegetation from distant countries.

Because these tropical or subtropical plants would not survive

European winters, they were placed in containers so that they

could be brought indoors. An orangery was built to accom-

modate these exotic container plants during winter. Crystal

Palace in London is a famous example of such an orangery.

The first plants in the living room

Midway through 19th century, plants gradually started to be

considered part of our interior. In the Netherlands, as in other

parts of Europe, interior design was changing. Interiors were

moving away from sober design to become cosy and homely

living environments. People discovered that plants could cheer

up the interior.

At this time, indoor conditions were not always very favour-

able for plants. Small windows didn't let in much light, while

harmful fumes due to the use of coal fires in the home were

The hisTory of The house planT

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far from optimal. Strong plants, such as ferns, therefore

became popular.

It was only a century later, in around 1950, that a real

houseplant culture emerged, partly due to the arrival of

central heating. As a result, the range of houseplants grew.

Besides ferns, various types of palms and flowering plants like

Begonias, Primulas, Bromelias, Orchids and Cyclamen were

welcomed into the interior. The windowsill was transformed

from somewhere to sit into a display for plants.

The arrival of interior plantscaping

A bit later in around 1965, the first plants were introduced

in offices. The idea originated in Germany and Switzerland,

but other countries soon adopted it. Besides the decorative

aspect, office plants also provided some privacy and created a

partition between the workplaces. Attention therefore shifted

from flowering plants to bigger leafy plants. The Ficus and

Sansevieria became extremely popular.

The arrival of conservatories, atriums and indoor gardens in

offices, hotels and shopping centres thus definitively marked

the start of the era of 'interior plantscaping'. Interior plants-

caping in Western Europe has now developed into one of the

most pioneering in the world. In recent years, various studies

into the positive effects of plants provided an additional boost

to interior plantscaping.

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ready for springonce the spring weather starts, the first rays

of sun appear. The perfect moment to sort

out your customers' patios, so that people can

enjoy a fresh green outdoor environment. here

are some tips to prepare your patio for spring.

Spring clean

Before you can put new plants on the patio, you need to do

a spring clean. After winter, the patio often needs a tidy-up.

Move everything to the side and remove that moss and algae!

Cheer up the patio with some plants

Plants are perfect for creating atmosphere on the patio. Even

when the weather's not brilliant, a patio with a few plants still

looks welcoming and cheerful. The greener, the better! Mix

different plants in a lovely big planter or choose a green wall

for a real eye-catcher.

Create a comfortable sitting area

Comfortable garden furniture is important to make the most

of the fine spring weather. So lean back and enjoy a lovely

glass of wine.

Make it welcoming

An easy way to make the patio even more welcoming is to add

some accessories. A few nice cushions and some atmospheric

lighting already make a huge difference. Or why not add a

water feature with running water?

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everyThing you need for The paTio!

Mediterranean plants

Big planters

Vertical gardening

We have everything you need for your garden and patio

plantscaping, such as plants, planters, decorations and garden

furniture. So a one-stop shop for all your plantscaping projects

- how convenient is that! Here's a selection from our range...

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Flowering container plants Flower containers

Hardy plants

Exclusive topiary

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differenT Types of composiTe planters come in all kinds of material, such as plastic, ceramics or metal. More new materials are also continu-

ously being added. one of these is composite, a material made of different components. often, we mean glass

fibre-reinforced materials. Most of our composite planters include a mix of ground stone. These products look

a bit like natural stone, but are much more lightweight. The best-known materials are polystone, Fiberstone,

Ficonstone and Fiberclay.

Polystone

Polystone mainly consists of ground limestone, resin and

water-based paint. Glass fibre is added to this for extra

strength. This mixture is then pressed into a mould by hand.

Once the mixture has hardened, you have a strong material

which resembles natural stone but which is much more

lightweight.

Fiberstone

Fiberstone comprises a mixture of fibre glass and ground stone

with a coloured finishing. Fiberstone has a natural feel in the

base which looks and feels like real natural stone, but a high-

gloss finish is also possible. Like Polystone, this material is

much more lightweight than real natural stone.

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Ficonstone

Ficonstone is a combination of cement, sand and finely ground

stone that is applied to a fibreglass structure. Because it does

not contain synthetic resin, this product is more sustainable

than Fiberstone and Polystone. The material has a rough finish

and looks very similar to concrete. Ficonstone is usually slightly

heavier than Fiberstone.

Fiberclay

Fiberclay mainly consists of a clay mixture. This mixture is

applied on a glass fibre structure for additional robustness.

Fiberclay is lightweight and a perfect alternative for traditional

clay and pottery products.

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‘goede doelen loTerijen’ office wins a green prize!interior plantscaper Moss & hrbs Amsterdam

recently completed a wonderful project in the

new office of Goede Doelen Loterijen (Nationale

postcode loterij, Vriendenloterij and BankGiro

loterij) near the Zuidas. This building is almost

completely energy-neutral. For this reason, the

project received the prestigious BREEAM rating

'Outstanding'. The (green) housing requirements of

the employees provided the basis for this project.

The plants came from Nieuwkoop Europe.

‘How a concrete colossus was transformed into a city oasis’

Philip van Traa is Co-Founder of Moss & Hrbs Amsterdam.

He says: ‘For Nationale Goede Doelen Loterijen, a vacant

office building was renovated, modernised and extended

by Benthem & Crouwel Architects. Sustainability and green

were the priorities here. With 2400 m2 of solar panels, the

roof is a source of sustainable energy. Here the rainwater

is captured to irrigate the plants and flush the toilets. The

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surplus is stored as a buffer for sprinklers and the fire

extinguishing system.’

‘Our focus in plantscaping is on creating a pleasant living

environment, excellent air quality, filtered daylight and

good acoustics. To achieve these criteria, the architects

incorporated the green element into the design from day

one. It's important to integrate green in your architec-

ture - green compromises may be made if cost savings

are ultimately required. Within this project, green was a

basic condition. The result: a building that is unique of its

kind. A company that is willing to take this step shows its

position in the world. Being a sustainable pioneer benefits

the company's image. Other parties will then follow suit.’

‘The “orphanage of the Zuidas” was a concrete desert...’

Project leader Esther Wubben from the Goede Doelen

Loterijen explains: ‘Our organisation's mission is to use its

revenue to make the world a better and greener place.

This is the vision we took into this project. Our office had

been based in various buildings in Van Eeghenstraat in

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for over 25 years. It was time

for a new location for all our employees. We were looking

for a vacant building, because a new building doesn't

reflect who we are and what we stand for. In 2013, vacant

buildings were a problem in Amsterdam. Our new building,

which was once called the “orphanage of the Zuidas”, had

been unused for years. I was appointed project leader for

the move. The team and I found out about BREEAM and

its certification requirements. We decided to aim for the

highest feasible.’

‘During our annual traditional Christmas breakfast five years

ago, our employees were shown photos of the building: a

grey concrete colossus built in 1972 with hard, unattractive

lines. We told them: we need your input! Over the course

of two months, a hundred and thirty colleagues wrote

down all their housing requirements relating to sustain-

ability and green. A green roof was top of the list. One

source of inspiration was the Highline in New York. Green

became a prominent element in the design. The entire

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top floor would consist of gardens. Based on the drawings

of 60 colleagues, the architect designed the inner facades,

which were made in perforated metal. Sustainability was

the starting point, but the human dimension needed to stay

visible. It had to be workable, warm and cosy. Philip van Traa

contributed ideas for the green design and ensured that the

right plants were provided. We're delighted with the result.’

‘An Italian square or “piazza” as the heart of the building’

Philip van Traa: ‘The heart of the building has the func-

tion of a village square, surrounded by all the offices

behind steel facades. The square is very much like

an Italian piazza, where people from all disciplines

can meet each other. In the middle of this square,

there's a steel structure which resembles a slightly

abstractly shaped tree, four storeys high. If you follow the

trunk with your eyes, at the top you'll see all those metal

panels that form the “leaf roof”. In summer, the effect of

the sun on these panels provides a fabulous shadow play.’

‘We could tell a thousand and one stories about this

project,’ says Philip. He continues: ‘A staircase runs through

the middle of the building, which is so inviting you almost

naturally want to climb it. The staircase curves round right

up to the roof, so you can already see part of the green from

the bottom. From here, you can also see several platforms,

such as mini squares and bigger balconies. The staircase

gives you that exciting sense of being about to explore

or discover something. The feeling that after each floor

there's something new just out of view. Driven by curiosity,

people continue up the stairs. Which is not only better for

their health, but it also saves energy if the lift isn't used.

When you enter the office and climb the stairs, your body is

moving, your senses are awake and your sensors are open.

Any subsequent conversation will be more positive than if

you enter a dusty, dull building, take the lift and walk to

your desk.’

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‘Seasons or jungle’

Where did Philip get his inspiration for the plantscaping?

Philip: ‘This project took four years, during which time you

get inspiration from many things. What you see, what

you read and what you visit, for example. For the outdoor

plantscaping at the front, I was inspired by the Dutch garden

and landscape architect Piet Oudolf. When you draw up

your plantscaping plans, you want to provide an intense

experience of each season. To ensure that lovely structures

are visible in winter, for example when it snows. That

spent bulbs from the past year reappear fresh next spring,

producing another colourful display of flowers.’

‘There are no seasons in the jungle, just a continuous process

of decay and renewal. But magical things also happen in

the jungle, due to the variety of plants and flowers. For

example plants with strange shapes or with massive leaves.

The unfurling of a giant, fresh and green leaf is a feast for

the eye. Some plants have leaves with a diameter between

forty and fifty centimetres. The harmonica-style unfolding

of new leaves of other tropical varieties is magical. We've

chosen to use exotics on the outside of the building too,

so that there are exotics indoors and outdoors. Like palms

which can survive the cold and several lovely bamboos.

The indoor and outdoor gardens are just separated by a

glass wall. This creates a connection. When both are later

mature and form a single entity, the top floor will be a place

where you are constantly surrounded by green. Once all the

plants are in place outside, the building will contribute to

biodiversity in the city.’

‘Tours for interested parties’

According to Esther Wubben, there's a lot of interest in the

building. Esther: ‘We often show groups around the site,

but local residents are also keen to come along. We plan to

organise tours on two afternoons every month. We want

to tell our story, show off our building and inspire others.

Anyone who is interested can register. More information will

soon be available on the website www.postcodeloterij.nl/

duurzaamverbouwen.’

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palms in varying heightsIn Nieuwkoop Europe's tall greenhouse, a special corner

has been created with Veitchia Merrillii palms. The very

first Veitchia palms came from the Philippines. Now they

are mainly imported from Costa Rica and Malaysia. The

palm has acquired the nickname of 'Christmas palm'

because of the colourful fruit it bears in winter, during

the Christmas period. This slim and slender palm comes

in many heights, from 2.50 to 7.50 metres, with single

or several stems per pot.

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rhApisBamboo palm

The Rhapis excelsa originally comes from

southern China. In the tropics, this plant

prefers the shade. It's a hardy plant which

doesn't need too much light and very

little water. Because of its fine, narrow

stems, the Rhapis is often mistaken for

a bamboo. Particularly when the stems

are bare, without their natural 'jute'

protection.

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A cOmpUlsOry plAnT pAsspOrTFrom 14 December 2019, all 'consumer' pot

plants, shrubs, container plants and various types

of seeds and bulbs must have a European plant

passport. Growers and traders need authorisation

from an inspection service before they may trade

their plants with a plant passport.

What's a plant passport?

A plant passport compiles all the compulsory

information that must be documented when

trading plants within the European Union. It

provides the identity and origin of the plants and

makes it possible to trace the original grower or

trader.

Why is a European plant passport

needed?

Because of increasing trade flows and climate

changes, Europe is becoming more exposed to

new plant diseases and pests. A plant passport

enables member states to take measures in the

event of an outbreak. When harmful organisms are

discovered, it's then easy to trace the origin of the

plants. This is vital to prevent possible spreading.

* The European Commission has yet to decide on the exact content of the new rules. Not all the details are known.

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hand-decoraTed Craftsmanship, creativity and precision... these are the ingredients we see in the Vogue collection of Baq.

The beautiful planters are decorated by real artists. With the utmost care, these works of art are finished

down to the tiniest detail.

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Schefflera Versatile & multicultural

The Schefflera is a versatile family. You might not initially

think it, but the family members are originally climbers.

For that reason, you will see aerial roots on some of the

big plants, which may be 2 metres high or more. Some

Scheffleras grow into a bush while others become trees.

These can grow as high as 30 metres! As if the family isn't

diverse enough, people have also started growing cultivars,

so that the Schefflera is now available in many colours. So

a real multicultural family.

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24

TEYLERSMUSEUM.NL

Fra

nzBauer,Strelizia

Regin

ae©Natu

ralHis

tory

Museum,London

25

From 2 February 2019, Teylers Museum in haarlem is

organising an amazing exhibition by the botanical artists

Franz and Ferdinand Bauer. The brothers' watercolours

are among the most beautiful botanical art ever made.

Their botanical illustrations give a very detailed view of various

tropical plants. To be able to record nature to perfection, the

brothers used 200 different types of green in their illustrations.

For all plant lovers, this is an unmissable opportunity to get

inspiration! The exhibition '200 kinds of green' is on display until

12 May 2019.

Strelitzia Depicta

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In the previous edition, we talked about the taxonomic hier-

archy of plants. The botanical name is the last rank on which

plants are classified. This scientific name has been applied by

botanists since 1753 and is the same all over the world.

The botanical name may seem difficult to remember, but

it often refers to the specific characteristics of a plant. Take

'variegatum', for example. This means that the leaf consists

of several colours, while 'aureum' means yellow or gold. Once

you know this, it becomes much easier to remember.

The botanical name often consists of three parts: genus,

species and a cultivar.

genus: the first name is the genus name. The genus is a group

of plants which have very similar characteristics. This name is

always written with a capital letter.

species: the second name is the species name. Usually the

species name is a description of the plant, such as the colour,

the way it grows or sometimes also the name of the person

who discovered the plant. This second name is written in lower

case.

cultivar: the third name is the cultivar, meaning 'Cultivated

Variety'. A cultivar is a plant grown or bred by man, through

mutation or crossing. This third name is written with a capital

letter between quotation marks.

Over the years, a plant's botanical name sometimes changes.

This is often because botanists start to think differently about

a plant's rank. For example, new research results may show

that a certain species belongs to a different genus.

BOTAnicAl nOmenclATUre nAmes

Borassus Flabellifer

Croton eleuteria

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how much

nuTrienTs does a planT need?

Plants need nutrients to grow. But how much? Did you know

that too much nutrients can be harmful for the plant? In winter,

it's not usually necessary to give plant nutrients, because this

is a time when many plants are resting.

So only give plants nutrients during their growth period from

March to October. Often you only need to give plants nutrients

once or twice a month. As a rule, alternate between watering

with and without plant nutrients.

Many types of plant nutrients are available. We prefer liquid

plant nutrients. The right dosage is shown on the packaging.

Slow-growing plants or plants that don't get much sunlight

need less nutrients. Use half or a quarter of the stated dose,

for example.

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every c o l o u r of The rainbowColour can make a world of difference! It quickly changes a dull area into a cheerful, lively environment. The B-round, B-straight and Unica

are therefore ideal for giving the interior a fresh make-over. Because the planters are available in every RAL colour. One thing's certain, this

range offers you a beautiful planter that you don’t see every day.

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Koen vanhouTTe from KrinKels greencare

As a law student, koen Vanhoutte had a part-time

job as a crane operator, learning on the job. later he

invested in a van, a truck and a small digger. in the

evenings and on Sundays, he concentrated on his

studies. however, the new law graduate didn't end

up in a judicial gown...

Very soon, Koen had his own company which, as a result of his

hard work, grew from five to fifteen employees. Unfortunately,

financial setbacks meant that he eventually had to shut it

down. He then chose Krinkels Greencare as his employer.

Why? Koen explains: ‘Krinkels used to be one of my customers.

Krinkels Greencare is a specific department targeting the

private market, within a group which mainly works for the

public sector. Unlike the public sector, the private market

focuses more on quality and service. You have closer contact

with people. Anyone aiming to green their offices must have

a social vision to achieve a good result.’

Can you give an example? ‘For a sector with a lot of expertise

and technical knowledge, it's important not to think for the

customer but with them. All too often, experts end up imposing

their own opinion, vision and approach. The challenge is first to

analyse the customer's needs and wishes and offer a suitable

solution. As inspirers, we also need to offer a certain look and

feel, but without limiting personalised solutions.’

What do you consider a challenge within the rapidly evolving

sector? ‘We offer products as well as a service. In addition,

we provide support with specialist know-how. We live in a

very dynamic technological environment. What's new today

can be outdated tomorrow. As a service partner, we need to

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Koen vanhouTTe from KrinKels greencare

provide the customer with total support. We can try to simplify

processes by digitising them, for example. We recently started

using a digital platform. Our people take an iPad to every

location. All the information they collect, such as photos of the

process, customer input and information about the progress,

is posted on a central platform. You can also find shared docu-

ments there. This is interesting both internally and externally.

And the customer can track our progress.’

You're currently working on a new branding. ‘The association

with Krinkels and its big machines often causes confusion. We

want to show that Green@TheOffice (G@TO) as a label within

the Krinkels Groep is a fully fledged sector. It comes with a

completely new branding and a young, fresh image.’

How do you see the future of the sector? ‘The interior plants-

caping market will expand rapidly. The “war on talent” on the

office floor, co-working and flexible offices require pleasant

workplaces. Green services are an inextricable part of that.

And we are the right partner to convince people of the bene-

fits and the options. Often the customer doesn't have that

knowledge and you never know till you try. We can play an

important role here.’

How valuable is Nieuwkoop Europe as a partner? ‘We like to

work with a partner who has a vision, one that is flexible and

dynamic like us. Nieuwkoop Europe is developing with respect

to digitisation and they make life easy for us by providing

a full-service partnership. They contribute ideas about new

options, have an online ordering system and they share their

know-how with customers.’ Can you give a concrete example?

‘For a specific project, the point load of the bigger trees was a

problem. At Nieuwkoop Europe, they put the different trees on

a scale and gave us the exact weight. The architect could then

make the necessary modifications to the structure without

wasting any time.’

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measuring sap flows answers imporTanT quesTions

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Nieuwkoop Europe has invested in measuring equip-

ment so that it can monitor the sap flows in plants. The

purchased equipment was developed by a scientist

and extensively tested in experimental research. Why

will Nieuwkoop Europe be performing these studies

itself?

Henk Nieuwkoop explains: ‘The experiments are very

important for the sector. Earlier research has shown that the

sap flow in plants is like the blood circulation in humans. The

sap flow indicates how active and healthy the plant is and

whether the plant is stressed. In the future, growers and

interior plantscapers will be able to monitor the sap flow in

plants to monitor their growth, development and quality. Poor

conditions will then be quickly identified so that measures can

be taken. The interior plantscaper can replace office plants in

good time when they approach the end of their useful life.

And the grower can intervene in time by adapting substrate,

food, humidity, light intensity or temperature.’

‘For Nieuwkoop Europe, it's also important to buy healthy

plants abroad. Plants that are imported spend two to four

weeks in a dark container. A good quality product is better

able to cope with these conditions during transport. If we can

achieve five to ten percent less wastage during transport by

measuring sap flows in advance, that's a good thing.’

Previous research by Ballieux Organic Architects, among

others, showed that, as natural air purifiers, plants create

a healthy indoor climate. They reduce the harmful Volatile

Organic Compounds (VOC) by over 50%. Only healthy plants

do this optimally. ‘If the sap flow is disrupted, not only does

the plant's decorative value fall, but its capacity to purify the

air is also reduced. Office plants are not always placed in the

best conditions, for example fluorescent lighting or dry air.

These plants have a maximum lifespan of five years. The sap

flow is already declining after a couple of years. These plants

no longer contribute very much to the purification of the air.

By attaching sensors to some of these plants, the interior

plantscaper knows in good time when the plants need to be

replaced.’

What tests will Nieuwkoop Europe be doing? ‘We're going to

monitor plants in the growing phase. Plants with a low sap

flow have less risk of rerooting and growing into a healthy

plant. We take random measurements, we don't measure

them all. Furthermore, there are lots of questions to which

we'd like to know the answer. For example, we want to

measure the same plants on two substrates, hydroculture and

soil culture. Research has already been done and there's an

assumption that a plant does better on granules. But this was

measured by a scientist and not by a grower with knowledge

of plants. We want to see for ourselves whether there are

species that do better on hydroculture and others that may do

better on soil. This new equipment makes it possible to find

answers to such important questions. Ultimately, it's naturally

about the consumer being able to enjoy an optimal product.’

‘Commercial and pioneering’

In edition 12 of this magazine, we focused on research into sap

flows by Marius Ballieux, owner of Ballieux Organic Architects.

Nieuwkoop Europe supports his research and supplies the

plants. Marius explains: ‘The motivation behind all the research

is to capture the harmony of plants in nature in the technology

and attach standard values to that. This is ultimately aimed at

choosing the right plants for the indoor environment, which

will optimally purify the air. A company that recognises the

importance of this is not only commercial, but also pioneering

in the field of sustainability.’

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our assembly service helps universal floral in big, inTernaTional projecTsuniversal Floral is an enthusiastic user of our assembly

service. Customers of Nieuwkoop Europe can have

their plants and planters assembled by us. we send

a complete product that is ready to be placed in the

project.

Marie Caffrey is sales director at Universal Floral. Why does

she like using Nieuwkoop Europe's assembly service? Marie

explains: ‘In Europe, we work with rapidly growing tech

companies, including Facebook, Samsung and Apple, which

need high-quality and flexible green solutions for their offices.

They're looking for a uniform look in planters and plantscaping,

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one which reflects their branding and culture throughout

Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Thanks to Nieuwkoop

Europe's assembly service, we can deliver large orders of

complete plants and planters to their sites. That's convenient,

because our customers are spread all over Europe. This saves

us a lot of time and money.’

‘Nieuwkoop Europe has a wide range of high-quality plants

and planters in stock, which can be assembled and transported

very quickly, sometimes within two days. If specific planters

aren't immediately available, they offer a similar alternative.

Recently a customer asked us about the various options for

terracotta planters. Nieuwkoop Europe sent ten different

combinations for the customer to choose from, which could

be delivered very quickly.’

‘The assembled planters must look lovely and fresh when

delivered to the customer's office. Nieuwkoop Europe under-

stands this. The assembled planters are packaged extremely

securely and professionally for transport. It's fantastic to know

that our plants are delivered to offices all over Europe and that

they arrived with the right care. We have our own dedicated

maintenance team which looks after the plants on site and

which can quickly respond to questions and requests. Most

new orders are therefore received via personal recommen-

dations from satisfied customers!’

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Upside dOwn?The Baobab (Adansonia) is a living fossil from

ancient times. These fatties can grow to 25 metres

high and a diameter of 11 metres. Most species

grow in southern Madagascar. Some of them are

more than 2500 years old.

The top of the Baobab is like a root system. And

yes, according to ancient legend, the tree - as a

punishment for mankind - was thrown down to

Earth from heaven where it landed upside down. So

with the crown in the ground and the root system

in the air.

An Adansonia digitata in Nieuwkoop Europe's

greenhouse originally comes from South Africa.

The local residents have over three hundred uses

for this tree. The leaves are eaten as vegetables,

the roasted seeds are used as coffee beans and

the flowers are also a delicacy. The bark is used to

make rope and baskets.

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TaKing The escalaTorThis photo was recently taken during the installation of several

big Ficus Lyrata. One of them needed to go upstairs. So of

course you take the escalator!

column: sander Kroll

give ourselves a paT on The bacK!For plants and trees in 2019, as you know, all doors are open!

And not just doors, but also windows and even ceilings. Take

the installation of bigger plants and trees in new buildings,

for example.

Often people don't think about the practicalities until the

moment when the interior plantscaper arrives with the truck.

The building has then been handed over clean, the security

works properly, the heating heats and the painters have left.

Polished marble greets you... And then (amazingly) those

trees prove to be exactly the enormous height that was

enthusiastically ordered. Panes of glass regularly need to be

removed because the tree doesn't fit through the door. Or in

the lift. Or up the staircase. We, the green suppliers, will lay

thick layers of cardboard on the marble floor to protect it from

the improvised pallet cum truck. With all kinds of protective

measures, great improvisation talent, plenty of hands on deck

and smart solutions, we get the tree inside, in the right place

and in the right pot.

And then: un momento dado! The trees are in, the interior

plantscaper is inundated with compliments for so much skill

and the official opening can take place... Sometimes the ribbon

is cut just three quarters of an hour after the trees have been

installed! Often using secateurs we've quickly handed over.

Our sector should give itself a pat on the back more often!

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The new building is nearlyfinished!The construction of our new production facility

is racing ahead. The dry weather and mild winter

meant that the building work could largely continue

uninterrupted. in the coming period, we can pour the

concrete, connect all the electrical fittings and hang up

the screens. The first plants should be in the building

by the end of May.

The opening of the new building offers huge advantages,

particularly for our internal logistics processes. Furthermore,

we will be reorganising our nursery, making it easier for us to

separate production and sales assortments. This will improve

how we manage the availability and quality of our plants.

The official opening of the new building is planned for early

November and everyone is welcome to come along. More

information will follow in due course.

39

40

nOsTAlgiA On The wAllSeveral photos can be found on the wall in the

canteen. Every photo tells a story that makes our

nostalgic green hearts beat faster.

In this photo, we see a Phoenix dactylifera totally

covered in snow. This palm stood in front of the

company around 15 years ago. It's a beautiful picture

and a change from a Christmas tree by the door.

41

emPloyee in the sPotlight

sven de jonghin every edition of the magazine you can meet one of

our colleagues. This time we would like to introduce

you to Sven.

Sven is team leader of the hardware procurement department,

where he and his colleagues are responsible for purchasing

our assortment. ‘As a department, we're constantly looking for

new products with which we can surprise our customers. We're

also responsible for optimal availability of the current assort-

ment, so that we can quickly meet our customers' needs.’

Sven says: ‘For optimal stock management, effective and

transparent cooperation with our suppliers is vital. Chain

integration plays an increasing role in this. Linking our systems

with those of the supplier ultimately provides more detailed

insight into all the current stock levels. We have a real-time

overview, which therefore enables us to respond much faster

with shorter lead times.’

4343

climbers are also hangersA climbing plant climbs, because the plant isn't strong enough to hold itself up. These plants seek support from others and have

thus developed different tactics. They use tendrils which wrap themselves around something, like the Tetrastigma. Or they have

hook-shaped thorns which keep them fixed, like the Bougainvillea. Others do it differently, like the Hedera, which has aerial roots

along the stem to affix it to surfaces. In short: climbers are plants that are on the way up. But what about hanging plants? There's

no such thing as a hanging plant. Hanging plants are climbing plants that start to hang when they lack support.

42

a handy luxmeter

Besides water, enough daylight is a vital

condition for the growth and development

of a healthy plant. These are the ingredients

a plant needs to create energy. Depending

on the variety, a plant needs a certain light

intensity (lux).

To look after the plant, it's important to

know whether it's in the right place. You can

therefore measure the light intensity using a

luxmeter. This tells you exactly whether the

plant has enough daylight for optimal growth.

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sTaTicThe Static series is ideal for garden and patio plants.

A special finishing technique enables us to simulate

the feel of distressed metal. As a result, the planters

look nicely weathered.

The series consists of different models which are available in

3 colours: rusty, black and grey. The planters also have a hole

in the base to drain off excess rainwater.