Flower Bulb Journal '99
Host: Tineke Verburg
Welcome to the Flower Bulb Journal.
Well, you've already seen it flash by for a moment,
This program is full of news about products and services
that flower bulb growers deal with daily.
Growers frequently have to deal with diseased flower bulbs.
For example, nematodes can be disastrous for the blooming of daffodils.
To prevent these and other diseases,
the bulbs are treated with hot water in specially constructed tanks.
Because the purchase of such a hot water installation is very expensive,
growers often outsource this process to specialized companies.
One of the largest companies in the field of hot water treatments is Helmus.
Additionally, the company specializes in rinsing flower bulbs and perennial plants.
Helmus began hot water treatments for daffodils in 1948
to prevent nematodes.
Over time, the technology has changed significantly.
Today, the company has five computer-controlled hot water tanks.
The hot water treatment works as follows:
The growers and exporters deliver the bulbs, tubers, or perennial plants directly to Helmus.
The bulbs are immersed in large tanks of water.
The tanks are maintained at a constant temperature by a computer.
On a screen, all information about the tanks can be read at any time.
For example, it can be read
how long certain bulbs need to remain in the water,
and what the desired and actual temperature is.
For each new variety, the computer is reset
to prevent the plants from being damaged by excessive temperature,
or to ensure that no effect is sorted by too low a temperature.
After the hot water treatment, there is a cooling period in cold water.
The rinsing of bulbs began in the 1950s
when the import legislation in the United States changed.
From that point on, flower bulbs, tubers, and perennial plants imported into the country
could no longer contain soil.
For exporters, this means that all flower bulbs and perennial plants
must be rinsed carefully.
The bulbs or plants enter the rinsing installation,
where they are rinsed under a certain pressure.
The machines are constantly adjusted
because not every bulb or plant can withstand the same pressure without breaking.
Not only the bulbs, but also the crates are rinsed under high pressure
to remove any soil.
After rinsing, the bulbs go to a drying room,
where large fans are set up to accelerate the drying process.
This combats mold formation.
After drying, the bulbs, tubers, and plants are ready
to be picked up by the grower or exporter again.
As far as I'm concerned,
See you soon.