Conditions of growing medium, temperature, light,
humidity, pH, fertiliser and carbon dioxide levels are optimised
and strictly monitored to produce healthy, vigorous plants. The
Dutch product not only looks the best when it leaves the greenhouse,
but has a long life with minimal care after it is sold into the
market.
Marketing of the wholesale palms is carried out
with the same Dutch efficiency. Kentia palms are sold in lots through
the famous. Dutch auction houses. Here the palms are given a quality
assurance grading and then offered at auction where bidders sit
in front of a large 'clock'. The price on a lot starts at the highest
possible point, then the clock hand falls until a bidder snaps them
up. Trolley after trolley of palms moves under the clock, bidders
silently press their buttons to purchase, operators record bids,
all at a speed that dazzles the first time visitor.
The Dutch growers use only the best quality seedlings
as 'starters'. Prior to 1980, all of the seed from Lord Howe Island
was sold by tender. However in 1980 the Lord Howe Island Board established
a nursery on the island to germinate the seed locally. Additionally,
the New South Wales government based a horticulturalist, Chris Weale,
there to manage the nursery and to perfect the process of producing
top quality Kentia seedlings. Henk works closely with the Board
nursery and only imports their product, now recognised as one of
the best in the world.
In the next issue I will describe a visit to beautiful
Lord Howe Island where seed collectors still climb the trees to
harvest seed in the same way as they did over 100 years ago. If
any reader has any information or photographs that throw light on
the history of the Kentia industry, I would appreciate hearing from
them.
The History of Howeia
