WEBVTT 00:00:06.190 --> 00:00:08.100 line:90% Flower Bulb Journal '99 00:00:08.220 --> 00:00:10.160 line:90% Host: Tineke Verburg 00:00:11.200 --> 00:00:13.090 line:90% Welcome to the Flower Bulb Journal. 00:00:13.090 --> 00:00:14.280 line:90% Well, you've already seen it flash by for a moment, 00:00:15.090 --> 00:00:17.290 line:90% This program is full of news about products and services 00:00:18.120 --> 00:00:20.200 line:90% that flower bulb growers deal with daily. 00:00:21.130 --> 00:00:24.030 line:90% Growers frequently have to deal with diseased flower bulbs. 00:00:24.080 --> 00:00:27.110 line:90% For example, nematodes can be disastrous for the blooming of daffodils. 00:00:27.110 --> 00:00:29,240 line:90% To prevent these and other diseases, 00:00:30,070 --> 00:00:33.250 line:90% the bulbs are treated with hot water in specially constructed tanks. 00:00:34,230 --> 00:00:37.150 line:90% Because the purchase of such a hot water installation is very expensive, 00:00:37.240 --> 00:00:41.070 line:90% growers often outsource this process to specialized companies. 00:00:42.140 --> 00:00:45.028 0 line:90% One of the largest companies in the field of hot water treatments is Helmus. 00:00:46.160 --> 00:00:50.180 line:90% Additionally, the company specializes in rinsing flower bulbs and perennial plants. 00:00:52.020 --> 00:00:55.240 line:90% Helmus began hot water treatments for daffodils in 1948 00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:75.010 line:90% to prevent nematodes. 00:00:57.150 --> 00:00:59.240 line:90% Over time, the technology has changed significantly. 00:01:00.110 --> 00:01:04.030 line:90% Today, the company has five computer-controlled hot water tanks. 00:01:04.130 --> 00:01:06.050 line:90% The hot water treatment works as follows: 00:01:06.170 --> 00:01:11.170 line:90% The growers and exporters deliver the bulbs, tubers, or perennial plants directly to Helmus. 00:01:12.030 --> 00:01:14.080 line:90% The bulbs are immersed in large tanks of water. 00:01:14.230 --> 00:01:17.250 line:90% The tanks are maintained at a constant temperature by a computer. 00:01:18.110 --> 00:01:22.060 line:90% On a screen, all information about the tanks can be read at any time. 00:01:22.170 --> 00:01:24.000 line:90% For example, it can be read 00:01:24.030 --> 00:01:26.210 line:90% how long certain bulbs need to remain in the water, 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:29.040 line:90% and what the desired and actual temperature is. 00:01:29.200 --> 00:01:32.080 line:90% For each new variety, the computer is reset 00:01:32.160 --> 00:01:35.180 line:90% to prevent the plants from being damaged by excessive temperature, 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:38.280 line:90% or to ensure that no effect is sorted by too low a temperature. 00:01:39.090 --> 00:01:42.240 line:90% After the hot water treatment, there is a cooling period in cold water. 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:46.030 line:90% The rinsing of bulbs began in the 1950s 00:01:46.070 --> 00:01:48.200 line:90% when the import legislation in the United States changed. 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:53.130 line:90% From that point on, flower bulbs, tubers, and perennial plants imported into the country 00:01:53.190 --> 00:01:54.20 line:90% could no longer contain soil. 00:01:55.070 --> 00:01:58.050 line:90% For exporters, this means that all flower bulbs and perennial plants 00:01:58.050 --> 00:01:59.200 line:90% must be rinsed carefully. 00:02:00.080 --> 00:02:02.240 line:90% The bulbs or plants enter the rinsing installation, 00:02:02.250 --> 00:02:04.220 line:90% where they are rinsed under a certain pressure. 00:02:05.070 --> 00:02:07.000 line:90% The machines are constantly adjusted 00:02:07.030 --> 00:02:10.180 line:90% because not every bulb or plant can withstand the same pressure without breaking. 00:02:11.040 --> 00:02:14.060 line:90% Not only the bulbs, but also the crates are rinsed under high pressure 00:02:14.070 --> 00:02:15.130 line:90% to remove any soil. 00:02:15.260 --> 00:02:18.030 line:90% After rinsing, the bulbs go to a drying room, 00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:21.180 line:90% where large fans are set up to accelerate the drying process. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:23.200 line:90% This combats mold formation. 00:02:24.050 --> 00:02:26.250 line:90% After drying, the bulbs, tubers, and plants are ready 00:02:26.250 --> 00:02:29.080 line:90% to be picked up by the grower or exporter again. 00:02:30.160 --> 00:02:31.050 line:90% As far as I'm concerned, 00:02:31.140 --> 00:02:32.080 line:90% See you soon.