Romberama Wins Bronze Rose In International Ornamental Grower Of The Year Category

At the annual congress of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) in Canada, the Belgian horticultural company Romberama won the Bronze Rose in the 'International Grower of the Year' category. The professional jury praised the innovative and environmentally-friendly entrepreneurial spirit of the amaryllis nursery and market expansion by, among other initiatives, home sales.

The Golden Rose went to Sheridan Nurseries in Georgetown, which supplies its nine garden centres from its own nursery. This was the second time in a row that the company gained the award. The Silver Rose was awarded to the Dutch nursery Sion Orchids.

As customary every year, the best ornamental grower was elected during the annual meeting of the AIPH. This year Belgium was represented by Raf and Ben Rombouts of the Romberama amaryllis nursery in Loenhout. The brothers were awarded the Bronze Rose. The jury also praised the environmental efforts of the company and its pursuit of maximum energy efficiency. Furthermore, the jury liked the market expansion through home sales and the combination of cut flowers and soft fruit.

Anti-stress
The business received the highest score for its innovative cultivation methods, such as measuring plant stress with the aid of plant sensors. Stress in plants may lead to reduced growth of the fruit and the flower. By mapping the plant’s response to temperature, humidity and fertilisation, the Rombouts brothers can limit and/or prevent the negative consequences of stress.

The company sets great store by corporate social responsibility and has already taken various measures to enable as sustainable production as possible. There was for example major investment in insulation, both under the substrate beds and in the top of the greenhouse by means of a double protective package. All drainage water is captured and re-used, iron is naturally removed from well water via small waterfalls and the water is provided with additional oxygen. This in turn is beneficial for rooting. In the field of energy there are solar panels, heat and cold storage in the ground, and the greenhouses are heated by means of a direct gas-fired double-effect absorption heat pump. The bulbs are treated with hot water to minimise pesticide use and, finally, the company directors also developed a diversity plan for the staff.

Prize-winning
Romberama is managed by two young brothers who took over the company from their parents in 2006 and immediately took the innovation route. In 2011 the business received the prize of ‘Most Promising Young Ornamental Grower of the Year’ and was nominated for the Agrafiek Award in the 'Innovative Entrepreneurism’ category. In 2012 it was one of the 10 winners of the Belgian Farmers’ Union’s Innovation Campaign.

In figures
After the take-over in 2006, Ben and Raf Rombouts expanded the company in 2009 from 11,0000 m² to 24,000 m², with additional rented space of some 10,000 m². On the main site, amaryllises are cultivated from October up to and including April. The rented space is mainly intended for forcing redcurrants, which are harvested in May.
Romberama offers a wide range of amaryllis colours, with the popular white Mont Blanc variety representing 55% of the overall surface area. The range also includes double white, salmon pink, fuchsia, red, and dark red to double red.

Source: VLAM vzw | Flanders' Agricultural Marketing Board