Floraliën flower show opens on Friday: how do growers ensure thousands of flowers bloom right on time?

Every flower or plant has its own flowering process. Early bloomers start flowering as early as April, whilst later bloomers only do so in May. To ensure the plants are in peak condition during the 10 days of the Floraliën, the growers use retardation and flowering induction techniques.

‘It’s not always straightforward, but we really do everything we can to ensure the flowers look their best for those 10 days,’ says Fien Dhaese. Her family has been growing azaleas for four generations, producing no fewer than 150,000 plants every year.

Warm greenhouses or cold stores

To ensure the plants are in full bloom by 1 May, temperature control is used. ‘If the flowers need to flower sooner, we put them in the warmth.’ This can be done, for example, in a heated greenhouse.

But the reverse is also possible, if a flower threatens to bloom too quickly. 'We then move them to a cooler space. We have a large fridge for that purpose. That way, we can play with the temperature,' adds Dhaese.

14 days ahead of schedule

The current climate can also pose an extra challenge in these processes. 'Nature is 14 days ahead of schedule this year,' says Chris van Cauter, architect for the General Association of Belgian Ornamental Horticulture (AVBS). 'That means growers need to keep a particularly close eye on the timing of the flowering processes.'

And once they are ready for transport, this too must be handled with the necessary care. ‘The growers are very protective of their flowers and plants, which they have been tending for years,’ says managing director Toebaert. ‘Both the transport and the loading and unloading are therefore carried out very carefully.’

The Ghent Floraliën begin on Friday 1 May and last for 10 days. This year’s theme is ‘Connection’.