Grade Two set off on an adventurous tour of 3 different greenhouses last week. We began at Pioneer Flower Farms with Mr. Vanderwal as our guide (Kian's dad). He showed us how important the coolers were to the cut-tulip production chain. The bulbs are kept cold so they think it's winter, until they are forced to bloom at just the right time in the greenhouse.
It was noisy in here as we watched a special machine in the harvesting area, x-ray each tulip and sort it according to how tall or large it is for grading and making bunches of 7 or 10.
There are often 10 different colour choices at a time! Beautiful!
Tulips are shipped on refriderated trucks to keep them closed tight until they get to the stores.
Pioneer Flower Farms sells over 50 varieties of flowers and cut tulips are just one part! Thank you so much for having us!
These are the tiny zygo cactus that arrive in January and are kept growing in the greenhouse until November, until they are ready to bloom for Christmas!
We got to watch the sunshade retract automatically to allow just the right amount of warmth and sunlight for the begonias.
Looking at the black spaghetti tube that gives water to each potted plant.
Below, Mr. Buys gives students instructions on what good, healthy roots look like.
Such good use of space with so many hanging baskets!
We watched how these plants have water delivered to the bottom of their tray for their roots to drink in.
A beautiful gift for someone special - thank you!
Next stop was Creekside Greenhouse with Riley's dad, Mr. Koole to lead us around. First we saw the sunflower seedlings which were planted recently and these will grow and be planted outside back at Pioneer Farms in the summer!
Lots of bedding plants are put in little trays with handles to make it easy for customers.
Looking at a lovely variety of coloured annuals.
Such a great system that moves these baskets around high above us on a moving conveyer. At just the right time, water is squirted in as the basket moves past the tap. Baskets take 12-16 weeks to mature. Did you know that a package of mites is included in each hanging basket?? The mites will hatch and kill any of the bad pests that might harm the plants. So no pesticides need to be used.
Keeping an eye on the machine that helps to plant the seeds. Creekside grows about 100 varieties of flowers and vegetable plants.
It was such a great day for curiousity and questions about caring for plants and the greenhouse business. Thank you for volunteering to show us around - praying for a busy blooming season!
