40 years’ service and counting

Steve needs little, if any, introduction. If you don’t know who he is you must be a fairly new grower to the New Zealand greenhouse vegetable industry.  Steve is very well known in the greenhouse fraternity, for the vast amount of work he has done, over the past twenty plus years, bringing NZ greenhouse growers some of the most popular vegetable varieties.  The average New Zealander is more than likely to have consumed food produced from seeds Steve has sold at some point.  That is an achievement he can be immensely proud of.  This article is a celebration of Steve, the grower turned seed salesman, and the immense contribution he has made to our industry.

Steve is a baby boomer born and bred Aucklander from the suburb of Mount Wellington.  When he left high school he wanted to be a wildlife ranger. He applied in his final year, at Penrose High, and out of 300 applicants he made a short list of 20.  He missed out on that opportunity but was told if he applied again, the following year, he would be sure to make it.   That summer, Steve placed an ad in the local paper, ‘student with HT licence looking for summer time work.’ He was contacted by a landscaping company and started working in an industry he had little knowledge of.  Steve loved this job for the diverse nature of the work, after two years he had brought shares in the company.  Hence, the career as a wildlife ranger was not pursued.  For thirteen years Steve worked for the Tree Place Limited, he managed the landscape department which was also involved with growing large container trees.   He became a nurseryman apprentice during that time.  

After thirteen years Steve wanted a change in his career.  In those days there was very good money to be made in tomatoes and he had colleagues that were growing tomatoes.  Steve liked the idea of working inside a greenhouse, after years of working outside in a business that was dependent upon the weather.  A greenhouse ticked all of the boxes, a regular workforce, working all year round, was profitable, he could own his own business outright and live in the countryside.  After a huge amount of consideration and research, he sold his shares in the landscaping business and purchased a greenhouse.   Steve knew many of the greenhouses in South Auckland, he decided he wanted to by an existing property, so in 1985 he bought a multi-span greenhouse in Drury and purchased his first tomato plants from Trotters nursery. 

The original greenhouse is still producing crops today!

Steve, and wife Carol, had 1200 m2 of electric heated glasshouses which they grew in soil.  The first year he achieved 18 kg per m2, which back in those days was more than acceptable and above the national average.  By 1990 Steve had more than doubled the production to 40 kg per m2.  Steve and Carol’s greenhouse area also expanded and nearly doubled during this period.  However, by 1990 Australian tomatoes had begun coming into New Zealand market turning the business from a very profitable one to one that was making a marginal profit.  Steve was one of the first growers to use liquid Co2, he produced more than 5 kg m2 using Co2 but not a cent more in profit due to the cost of the product.  By 1993 Steve decided to sell the property, he had incurred a rugby injury which meant he needed back surgery.  It would mean a long-term layoff so the property was sold, a lifestyle block, 500 meters away on the same road, was purchased.   For the next 2 years Steve found a job managing Ascot Orchids in Mangere, he didn’t know anything about growing Orchids but knew a lot about controlling a greenhouse climate. 

Despite Steve having little interest growing tomatoes again, the new property they purchased had a greenhouse that was growing 650 m2 of (dying) carnations.  An ex-employee of Steve’s convinced him to plant tomatoes again.  Steve only did the weekend work and then, as he admits was one of his poor business decisions, he decided to double the size of the greenhouse.  As the Orchid business was becoming difficult and less profitable the greenhouses were leased out.  Steve decided to look for new opportunities, Carol had seen an advertisement for a position as a seed rep for what was then Webling and Stewart Seeds.  In 1997 Steve began his long tenure as a vegetable seed rep. He got the job because of his experience as a grower, but also because when he started growing tomatoes in the 1980’s he thought he might need more qualifications in the future, so he completed a three-year horticulture certificate with the National Institute of Horticulture specialising in vegetable production.  He had to travel the country completing exams.  He completed these qualifications in 1991. 

The crops are now grown in coco bags but in the early days it was all grown in the soil

The primary reason for Steve’s employment was the company wanted to increase indoor seed sales.  Steve had to learn about selling seeds to outdoor growers.  He found the first six months as a seed salesman very difficult.  His previous growing background was the catalyst for building trust and relationships with growers, who were very suspicious of salesman.    Within two years Steve had contributed to doubling the turnover of the indoor seed sales, but came to the realisation he did not have enough time to service both the indoor and outdoor growers.  The decision was made for Steve to be a dedicated greenhouse seed specialist.  In 2003 Webling and Stewart Seeds part of Yates Vegetable seeds was sold, facilitating one of the key suppliers in NZ to start their own company.  In 2004 Premier Seeds Limited was created with Steve as a foundation member and a shareholder.

There have been a few changes over the years, with suppliers etc., but Steve built up an extremely large client base and area to which Premier seeds supplied to greenhouse growers, capturing a very large percentage of the market share.  Steve has been extremely influential in the introduction and trialling of new seeds in New Zealand.  Countless trips to Europe ensued. Steve has the great ability to follow the new seed material, from day one at the nursery until plant pull out.  Germination trials and constant counting, of new batches of seeds, has been vital in ensuring growers over-sow percentages are correctly calculated. His tireless efforts have proven fruitful for both himself and the growers he has introduced these varieties to.  Steve was the first to introduce grafted tomatoes into New Zealand, using the Japanese grafting technique, even though he only then had a 35 % success rate it was clear that the benefits from grafting should continue to be explored.  Now grafting is the norm for tomato and eggplant growers in New Zealand.

Steve has seen many changes in the greenhouse industry and he believes we have done well to keep up with modern Dutch technology. He states ‘The greenhouses have become larger, growing knowledge has increased and our growers have become more professional’.  He believes that we are up there with the best growers in the world, boxing above our weight as well as keeping up with technology.  

I asked Steve where he sees technology taking us in the future. He believes that the artificial lighting of crops, especially to lift winter production, if economically viable, will be the next step for some growers. This is dependent on modern greenhouses having height and only if they have Co2 enrichment available.   Steve sees future potential in the greenhouse industry, with new crops such as medicinal cannabis on the horizon, as well as the continuation of the crops already grown in greenhouses.   Steve believes if we can grow high quality, high-brix specialty tomatoes for the Asian market it may open up new opportunities. One issue he foresees is the short, three to four-month, window during our high light periods to achieve high brix level but the use of artificial lighting could possibly solve this issue.

Steve is now in his own words “gliding into retirement.” He is still actively involved with product development, placing and accessing new trials with the ultimate goal of finding improvements to the current varieties.   Powdery Mildew is seen as a problem in our industry and this is one of the priorities- to find resistant varieties and ascertain where those new opportunities exist.  So still lots to do!   His previous core role, of looking after the sales in the North Island greenhouse sector has been handed over to colleague Imke Blackett, who has been working closely with Steve for the past five years. 

Steve has had a huge influence in the New Zealand greenhouse vegetable industry and a career in the horticulture way of life since he has left high School.   His contributions should be recognised for what they are which are second to none.  Everyone who knows Steve has the upmost respect for his knowledge and his professionalism.  He has helped many, including myself, over the past twenty plus years since he started selling seeds.  If you are lucky enough, like I was, to sit down and pick his brains you should do so.  Knowledge is wealth and Steve has that knowledge in abundance. 

Steve, well done on a great career and a wonderful contribution to the sector.

Cover Photo: Steve back to where it all started in 1986 in the original 1200 m2 he originally started growing in.

The electric air heaters are still used on this property today

The Co2 bottle connections are still attached to the structure.

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Article Edited by Marie Vogrincic, Editor, Grower2Grower

The New Zonda Website Has Launched 

Pollination and pest control specialists, Zonda Beneficial’s, is constantly looking to the future and taking on new challenges. The latest of which has been bringing our products into the online world. Recognising the global shift in the way that we do business, creating an online shopping platform was a necessary mission. Providing our customers with online shopping capabilities is something that was long overdue. Now, after many months of hard work, we are excited to announce the launch of our new website!

We took the opportunity to rebuild our entire website from scratch, giving us the ability to create something entirely new and customised to our ever-growing needs. We have designed something visually engaging, informative and simple to navigate. While it was not always an easy task, it has definitely been a worthwhile one; we are all very proud of the final product and the possibilities it represents.

While you are exploring our new site, be sure to check out the following pages;

• Pollination – for some quick facts or use the buttons at the top of the page to explore specific crops and their requirements.

• Pests and solutions – check out some common crop pests and the solutions we have on offer.

• About us – learn more about who we are, where we began and what our vision is.

• Shop – and of course, don’t forget to check out our shop for a full range of our products.

Together with our R & D team, we are working hard to introduce new and improved product lines; this fresh and exciting new environment is a perfect place to showcase them. Along with recognising our partnerships, both new and existing, the website also provides us with the platform on which to place a stronger emphasis on education, helping the world better understand the importance of pollinators and beneficial’s. A place where we can further communicate who we are, what we stand for and where our values lie. We will also be upgrading our site content on a regular basis and running the occasional promotion, so be sure to check back on a regular basis.

As with anything new, (and technologically reliant!), we anticipate a few teething issues, so during this initial phase we may need a little patience from the public.

We would love you to explore our new site and offer any feedback you may have. Ultimately, quality products and customer satisfaction are our greatest focus, so the more response we receive, the better we can couture the overall experience.

Our aim is to continually evolve, expand and grow into something sustainable and nationally recognised. The new website is just one of the many steps we are taking in our endeavour to innovate the way we do business. Stay tuned for more.

Visit our website – www.zonda.net.nz

Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Zonda-Beneficials-263295424099858/

Ph: 0800 4 ZONDA (96632)

Email: zonda@zonda.net.nz

Being as inquisitive as I am, whilst at fieldays last month, I asked two scientists, from the Manuka honey industry, about the possibility of producing pure, or non-contaminated, Manuka honey from nectar taken from manuka plants that were in an enclosed greenhouse environment.  The answer was probably no.  The reason being, as I had suspected, the capital cost of building a structure versus the return of investment, which is a given in regards to erecting any greenhouse.  The second reason, and most important one, was that honey bees don’t work in a greenhouse environment. 

However, I wanted to know if it was possible, what quantity of manuka honey would potentially be collected, per ha, in a controlled environment and if this was the highest-grade honey you could get in the world what would the value be?  A couple of points for consideration is the irrigation and the control you would have.  If you control the irrigation to the plant you possibly have the best chance (I would think) of producing high quality nectar.  The size of the greenhouse structure is also a consideration as I will explain shortly.

With my ‘out of the box’ idea I decided to leave it as a ‘oh well time to move on’ until I noticed, on the PCA conference speaker list, a session hosted by Bruce White, a retired honey bee guru in regards to ‘managing honeybee foraging in enclosed conditions.  And blow me down, it can be done!!

Please read the abstract from the conference below but first this is what I discovered;

1.  Honey bees can adapt to enclosed conditions.
2. Honey bees need to be placed in the greenhouse during the day (see extract for explanation)
3. Honey bees communicate with each other by dancing and need ultra violet light to navigate.
4. Honey bees need a regular source of water.
5.  You need a set number of frames per hive.
6. The bee hive temperature is optimal at 34 degrees.  If it is cooler the bees will use the honey, they have collected and processed, to keep themselves warm!

Bruce stated the plastic of the greenhouse needs to be composed, so it doesn’t prevent UV light penetrating, or the sides of the greenhouse have to be netted, allowing ultra violet rays in so the bees can still navigate.  To work the greenhouse roof would have no venting, or it needs nets on the vents, to stop bees escaping (which could be expensive) or you build narrow long structures that allow you to have side nets but allow for good air flow and to reduce the temperature of the greenhouse from becoming too high during the months the nectar is harvested.

Now please don’t go and build a massive greenhouse to put Manuka honey plants in on the basis of this article alone, but I think at the very least this should be discussed amongst the honey industry. Perhaps this is a perfect case study for a University student to consider? Honey is a huge industry, one not to be ignored, the highest quality, purest manuka honey is worth mega-dollars.

If you want to know more about this topic or would like to make contact with Bruce please send me your details, I will forward your details on.  Bruce’s presentation was one of the most intriguing and fascinating, his experience speaks volumes. 

Abstract:

The honey bee is a great pollinator and was mainly introduced into Australia in1822 to pollinate the European crops the early settlers bought into the country.
On the same field trip honey bees visit the same plant species but can fly up to five kilometres from their hive.

With management, colonies can be placed into enclosed conditions and the worker bees forage normally by moving the colonies into the enclosed conditions during the day when most of the field bees are in the field.

Honeybee colonies adjust to conditions and the worker bees adjust the work they carry out to meet the colony needs, so if the original field bees are not present when the hive is moved into the enclosed conditions in day time other bees become field bees to pollinate the target crop in the enclosed area. Furthermore, they adjust to the enclosed area and don’t try to fly further instead work on the crop in the enclosed area, where as field bees that had foraged outside an enclosed area try to escape and die as a result trying to escape.

 
Management of brood, the development stage of the bees is important in enclosed conditions so with management, brood can be added to the colonies so the bees hatch in the enclosed area and when they become field bees it is the only conditions they know
As a general rule worker bees live six to eight weeks, spend three weeks in the hive and the rest in the field from the time the queen lays the egg the worker bee hatches within twenty one days

Biography:

Bruce White OAM

Bruce had an interest in beekeeping while still at Primary school and my parents let me keep a glass sided bee hive in my bedroom.

After graduating from Hawkesbury Agricultural College Bruce joined NSW Department of Primary Industries retiring as Technical Specialist Apiculture after 41 years’ service then co-writing the Certificate III in Beekeeping units.

Bruce is an international honey judge and the 2018 Sydney Royal Easter Show Legend in recognition for outstanding service. Bruce managed the Australian Honeybee Quarantine Station at Eastern Cree for over twenty years where all imported queen bees are held in flight cages so familiar with managing honeybee foraging in enclosed enclosures.

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

Article Written by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Article Edited by Marie Vogrincic, Editor, Grower2Grower