FloraPodium was at the Plantarium trade fair from 21 to 23 August. To decorate the exhibition stand we had received large hanging plants from nursery De Arendshoeve. Every passer-by admired the size and the special shapes of the plants. They received a lot of attention so we though an extra visit to this versatile nursery was called for. Jacob, owner of nursery de Arendshoeve, has shared with us the special mission of his nursery. Together with Jaap he guided us through the extraordinary plant nursery!

Marsh cactus

The leaf cactus (Epiphyllum) immediately caught our eye during our visit. With her crazy upright and hanging thick leaves, they were crying out for attention. The leaf cactus is a sub-tropical plant and belongs to the Epiphyt species. This means that the plant grows naturally in the hollows of trees and not in the earth, just like for example an orchid. The plant originally grew in Mexico and Asia. With only a few roots, the plant is able to extract its required water from the moist air. In addition, it gets moisture from the humus-rich soil that is formed in the hollows of the trees from falling leaves.

The Epiphyllum anguliger is perhaps the most special leaf cactus! This increasingly well-known species looks like a serrated saw. Very appropriately this species is also called saw cactus. The beauty of this plant is that it grows exuberantly. But it can be even more extravagant; the Epiphyllum "Beavertail" is a good example. This plant grows any way it wants! Many succulent hanging plants grow tightly down the pot. This plant however is growing in all directions! When purchasing this variety, the nursery inadvertently received an extra variety; the Epiphyllum oxypetalum. This plant grows flowers that only really bloom in the night. Because of this she is also called "Queen of the night". This variety was accidentally added to a Beavertail shipment and Jacob thought it would be a worthwhile addition to his assortment.

Beaver tail

The Epiphyllum "Beavertail" looks a bit like the Epiphyllum anguliger. She owes her name to the large leaves, which look like a large beaver tail. The leaves are thick and leathery and the plant is very different from the existing range. It is a wild large plant with leaves in all directions, making it a major eye-catcher in every room. The plant is very suitable for people who have problems caring for plants. These plants don’t mind if you forget them from time to time. Because they are succulents, they store water in the leaves and can live on this for a while. The appearance of this plant is very lush and it is therefore a real asset to any office space! The nursery produces its own young plants, but it takes two years to grown into a marketable plant.

The leaf cactus is related to the cactus. For this reason the plant is very easy to maintain. The leaf cactus, and we actually mean all types of Epiphyllum, can be put outside in the summer. Preferably not in full sun because she is originally used to growing under the trees. Give the plant enough water every week. At the end of October, before the frost starts, the plant must go back inside. If you stop watering the plant in the winter months of December to February, the plant will grow flower buds. The plant shrinks as a result of moisture deficiency but if you start giving it a little more water in the spring, the flower buds can really develop. Unfortunately, they often only flower at night.

The nursery has around 100 different varieties from 40 different cultivars that are grown in 18,500 m² of well-insulated greenhouses. Because they are mostly hanging plants, the space can be used optimally. Worth mentioning is that waste heat is used from a bio-fermentation plant and that the electricity is largely generated by itself.

Where it started

About 9 years ago Jacob was offered a batch of hanging succulents from a grower. The Arendshoeve has since become a leading company, specializing in special "urban jungle plants" and succulents. Where cultivation started with 7 different varieties, the company has now grown into a specialist company with around 100 different sizes and products. A real candy store for people looking for special plants in special sizes. There are so many different types of "Rhipsalis", for example. Jacob noticed that these varieties are never marketed as large plants. The size of the plants distinguishes the Arendshoeve from other growers. The plants are given the time to grow into particularly large, beautiful plants. There is now even an XL line on the market with plants of over two meters long.

Care and rest

The plants are grown with care and with a lot of patience. This means that the plants are allowed to grow for a long time, giving them an exceptional strength and high quality. The plants are often on the farm for two, three or four years before they are marketed. As a result, these varieties no longer belong to the regular range, but can best be placed in the "special and exclusive" category. These niche products are intended for florists, garden centers and designers catering to the top segment; outlets that are looking for better quality and distinctive plants. The plants end up all over the world through specialized plant exporters, wholesalers and web stores. Jacob propagates most plants by cutting on location, but for some plants it is necessary to purchase the material.

Show greenhouse

"Plants make people happy," Jacob tells us. “In our show greenhouse we want to let people experience that plants indeed make you happier. In a green environment you truly feel like being in a different world. ” De Arendshoeve, also known as The Garden of Amsterdam, is the most special and authentic event location in the Netherlands. The mission is to offer a green experience with sustainable and positive influences. Large and small events are celebrated at the Arendshoeve. Companies such as GOOGLE, Victor & Rolf, KLM / Airfrance use the space. But also Hindu, Chinese and of course Dutch weddings are celebrated there. Anyhting goes!

FloraPodium, 9 September 2019