High-tech production creates 30 flowering plants at garden centre

Sherries Garden Centre in Burmarrad has cultivated over 30 different kinds of flowering plants into production this spring, with over 100,000 of these flowering plants currently in the main production nursery, propagated by the latest computerised floriculture technology.

To produce healthier plants, this innovative facility has already been widely used and tested with excellent results, with Sherries planting a record 30,000 poinsettias last winter.

To complete the huge task of planting 100,000 flowering plants, the team at Sherries go to extraordinary lengths to care for these fragile plants, which are seeded in the Canary Islands and then rooted in Italy before being transported to Malta in specially refrigerated containers.

“The plants are very sensitive,” said Joseph Xerri. “They really need tender loving care.”

Technology plays a big part in the process. Mr Xerri explained that once planted, everything was computer-controlled, including automated daily watering, with special nozzles fitted to ensure uniform watering. Nothing is left to chance, with the computer mixing the optimum blend of nutrients and trace elements to promote growth.

Mr Xerri said the flowers, which featured 30 varieties, are available from the garden centre through a special offers programme, as well as being distributed across Malta to hundreds of shops.

The company recently invested in a range of returnable plant pots developed in the Netherlands, which can be returned to the garden centre for a refund, in order to reduce the environmental impact of national plant distribution and to maximise the longevity of the flowering plants.

The garden centre took the decision to implement this new type of floriculture to launch the 2013 flowering plants production to gain control over variable production factors, such as monitoring temperature, controlling levels of light or shade and atmospheric humidity.

Among the available flowers are roses, amaryllis, begonias, honey flowers, jasmine, lotus, lemon blossom, petunias, passion flowers and many more.

A day trip to Sherries’ new 2,500 square metre flowering plants area gives the visitor access to all available flowering plants, including a large assortment of geraniums.

For more information, visit www.sherriesgardencentre.com or call 2158 0021.