More sustainable future for Calathea – Gebr. Valstar
The foundations for Gebr. Valstar B.V. were laid in 1978 when founder Jac Valstar started growing plants in the Marantaceae family in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. Four decades later, the company is the largest producer of this product group in the world. The company has premises in Maasland (head office) and Roosendaal.
Gebr. Valstar is an MPS-GAP and GRASP certified grower and uses a minimum amount of chemicals to combat diseases and pests in the crop. The key focus is on biological crop protection. Gebr. Valstar searches for a natural way of controlling pests wherever possible.
Living Plant
This nickname underlines how special Calathea actually is. This decorative foliage plant, originating from the jungle of Brazil, has its own particular day and night rhythm. As the amount of light decreases, the leaves start to close. It is even possible to hear the leaves closing; the phenomenon can produce a rustling sound. The plant grows naturally in the shade and, therefore, does not like a sunny place. If there is too much sunlight, the leaves will quickly curl up. The cultivation period varies greatly according to pot size; from cutting to saleable plant, between 12 and 52 weeks.
Sustainability
With Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Gebr. Valstar generates their own energy and heat which they then use for their greenhouse. Their premises in Maasland were also fitted with solar panels in 2018 which means they are implementing a sustainable policy in terms of their own energy consumption. Since 2018, they have also been connected to geothermal energy at this location. Together with neighbouring businesses, they have invested in this new form of energy. It’s a risky investment but a great opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions. With this, they are opting for a more sustainable future for their Calathea cultivation in the Netherlands.