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| New Danish plants lead the way | |
| From a European perspective, the list of new Danish plants is long; by the way, did you know that Denmark is the unofficial European champion in the production of new plants? Hardly many consumers know that many years’ research and breeding precede the formation of a new pot plant. Record high number of new plants With a total export share of approx. 80%, Denmark is second among the world’s leading pot plant exporters, only surpassed by the Netherlands, and product development is required to maintain this market position. In the period from 2000 to 2005, Denmark accounted for 54% of registered new plants which is a record high share compared to other plant producing countries with which we usually compare ourselves. According to Thomas Kylling, Chief Commercial Officer of Denmark's largest pot plant exporter, Gasa Group, new plants generally always attract attention because they involve innovation and product development, and thus hopefully benefit the customers. In general, production development may focus on, for example, new shapes and/or new colour shades that match current home decorating trends, as well as quality improvement, including longevity, improved ornamental value or resistance to bacterial attacks. For Anker Kuehn, who is an expert in plant breeding, product development, etc. at GartneriRådgivningen, the Danish horticultural industry’s consulting firm, the many new plants mean that the quality has improved because, according to Anker Kuehn, no nurseryman would produce plants of poorer quality. Visibility of new plants insufficient A new plant is typically underway for many years. For new varieties, such as roses, it typically takes 3-5 years, says Rosa Eskelund, owner of the nursery Gartneriet Rosa, near Aarhus. As breeding is a lengthy process, the plant may for some lose its novelty appeal. However, you have to stick to the fact that it is indeed a new plant. - We could actually learn something from e.g. wash powder producers who do not fail to inform us loudly whenever a new enzyme has been added to an existing product, says Thomas Kylling. New plants must be protected At the same time as new plants have to be made visible, they must also be registered as new varieties of plants in order to prevent copies. Bjarne Larsen, co-owner of the firm Sunny ApS, one of Denmark’s leading breeders of the popular outdoor plant Osteospermum, or Cape marguerite, that decorates the stairs in front of the house or is planted in containers on the patio, attaches great importance to the protection of new plants: - For us, this protection means everything as it is our revenue base and the source that justifies our continued presence on the market in that it finances the continued improvement and development of the plant. So even though it takes time for new plants to form, it doesn't make them less interesting for us consumers who, in return, can be sure to get a fully tested quality product. This is what the registration of a new plant tells us - in cold print! Fact box The new plant award, “Floradania Innovation Award”, is a new joint initiative from the Danish plant industry. It is awarded to the most innovative and creative new Danish plant in the categories: best new plant/concept and best new variety. The award was granted for the first time in January this year in connection with the world’s largest plant fair, IPM in Essen, Germany. The award for the best new plant/concept was won by Gartneriet Damsted on Funen for its Asplenium nidus ‘Crispy Wave’ while Gartneriet Rosa, near Aarhus, won the award for its Rosa hybrid ‘Greenland Forever’ as the best new variety. Fact box Denmark is the world’s second-largest exporter of pot plants. Each year, Denmark produces 400 million pot plants, of which 80% are exported. Floradania Marketing is the Danish plant industry’s marketing company which is owned by Danish nurserymen and sales companies. Fact box EU Variety Office The EU Variety Office handles the registration of new plants at a European level. The protection of a new plant applies for 15 years and is indicated with an (N) after the variety name. The registration is the seal of approval that breeding has occurred and that other producers must acquire permission and pay a license fee for producing the plant in question. Caption: Denmark is the unofficial new plants title holder. |
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