Optimistic outlook but challenging start to 2025
The year has kicked off with many growers left with hefty repair bills from Storm Eowyn. The record-breaking storm caused damage across the country, impacting many. Following the storm Teagasc have collated records of damage. Many businesses reported damage with several nurseries seeing very costly damage and direct impact on spring production. The Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF) will meet on Tuesday 11th February in Backweston joined by the new Minister of State for Forestry, Horticulture and Farm Safety, Michael Healy-Rae, to discuss storm damage and other important topics. There is no doubt that the personal and economic cost of the recent snow damage and storms Daragh and Eowyn is significant. Please contact my self or a Teagasc advisor if you have damage to report and discuss.
The season has pushed on regardless with IPM Essen, GROEN-Direkt, IHNSA trolley fair and Christmas World Frankfurt trade show keeping growers and buyers busy. The IHNSA trolley fair, held in Whites Agri, was very successful with a good number of new customers attending. Growers exhibited excellent stock with plenty of colour on display for the first week of February. Pictured below Val Farrell B&V Nurseries. Next trolley fair is Rentes running 11th and 12th of February.
IPM Essen 2025: a roundup of the show
IPM Essen 2025 showcased a exciting array of new plants and cutting-edge machinery, offering useful prospects for Irish nurseries to innovate or adopt labour saving systems. The IPM Discovery Center is retail focused and showcased some ideas that are becoming more mainstream: nature in the shopping experience, sustainability in the shopping experience, sustainability craftmanship and expertise, natural beauty- “homemade skin care” and grow your own cocktails.
Plants and features seen in the innovation area; Dino Snack a plant line for children based around dinosaur food plants, Fragaria x ananassa Duch Queeny is pink flowered strawberry plant, Helleborus Winter Sparkle White has very large flowers from December to April, Hydrangea arborescens FlowerWOW from Bailey International claims to to have 2-3 times as many flowers as other H. arborescens and grows to 1.2-15.m wide, Hydrangea paniculata Groundbreaker Blush is aground cover /30cm tall hydrangea.
Images below, clockwise from top: Sedum Plus mats which are the same size as paving slabs, Bionic Back Exoskeleton back support, Hydrangea arborescens FlowerWOW, Damcon root ball wrapper and Deirdre Walsh Teagasc meets Dermot Cullen Fitzgerald’s Nursery.
Images below clockwise from top: Oerlemans Plastics propagation tray covers, Fragaria x ananassa Duch Queeny, Eucalyptus France Bleu,
More Plants of merit
- Primula acaulis ‘Flamenco Mix F1’: This vibrant primrose with uniquely fringed flowers is a showstopper. Its hardiness and early blooming make it ideal for spring gardens.
- Cornus kousa ‘Flower Tower’: This slender dogwood is a great choice for smaller gardens. Its abundant flowers and vibrant autumn colors provide year-round interest. Gold winner at green is life 2024 and new entry at IPM Essen 2025
- Cyclamen persicum ‘Illusia’: This unique cyclamen with a rose-like flower shape offers long-lasting beauty for homes. Winner HTA best new house plant 2024
- Rosa Hybrid ‘Under the Stars™ Rosa Loves Me®’: A cut flower selection , this rose produces clusters of vibrant yellow flowers with a hint of green. A very distinct flower colour.
Tree Grafting Training Event
25 February, Teagasc Ashtown Research Centre, Dublin
Dónall Flanagan, Teagasc Nursery Stock Advisor will be joined by Alberto Ramos Luz Teagasc Top Fruit Research Officer for a demonstration of skills, discussion and a walk through some of the selection of trees being screened for suitability for climate change.
The group will be limited to ensure every participant will have a chance to view the demonstrations, practice some skills and discuss practical aspects of propagation so booking early is advised.
For more information and to register click here.
The Agri-Food Regulator is gathering feedback from suppliers of agri-food products about their experience of trading with the retail and wholesale sectors. The survey includes producers of plants and cut flowers. There is also an option for trade organisations to have their say in this survey.
Their survey is anonymous, confidential and conducted independently by Coyne Research. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete the online survey.
The survey will allow you to provide detail on your experiences with supplying plants, flowers, agricultural and food products to the following businesses (where relevant):
- Aldi Stores Ireland Ltd (Aldi)
- BWG Foods (BWG)
- Dunnes Stores Unlimited Company (Dunnes)
- Lidl Ireland GmbH (Lidl)
- Marks and Spencer plc (M&S)
- Musgrave Group plc (Musgrave)
- Sysco Ireland (Sysco)
- Tesco Ireland Limited (Tesco)
- Other
The survey will run for four weeks ending on 9 March 2025. The survey findings will be presented at the Agri-Food Regulator conference on 20 May 2025.
See the link for the survey.
Up to €250,000 grant support available for forest nurseries through DAFM Forest Technology Scheme
The deadline of Friday 14th of February is fast approaching for applications for the third tranche of the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme: Module 2 – Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector. The scheme supports commercial Forest Reproductive Material (FRM) suppliers, including forest nurseries and seed collectors, to enhance the quantity, quality and diversity of native tree species. FRM suppliers can receive up to €250,000 funding for investments in native forest tree production. Aid will be payable at the maximum rate of 100% on the accepted net cost (excluding VAT, discounts and allowances) of up to a maximum of €250,000. The minimum investment which will be considered for grant aid is €10,000 excluding VAT, except in the case of tree seed collection where a minimum investment of €2,000 excluding VAT applies.
The scheme is open to seed and tree suppliers of all sizes, from smaller operations to established nurseries. It is also available to new entrants to the sector seeking to diversify their business.
The types of projects and items eligible for funding may include the following:
- seed collection equipment
- seed storage infrastructure
- polytunnel infrastructure / equipment
- irrigation systems and infrastructure
- transplanting systems
- grading machines
- biosecurity investments such as water treatment and refrigeration equipment
- general costs linked to items above
- cost of native tree species seed
The following are the native species that are included for the scheme:
- Birch (Betula pubescens / B.pendula)
- Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
- Cherry (Prunus avium)
- Common alder (Alnus glutinosa)
- Crab apple (Malus sylvestris)
- Elm (Ulmus glabra)
- Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)
- Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
- Hazel (Corylus avellana)
- Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
- Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur)
- Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
- Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
- Sessile oak (Quercus petraea)
- Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)
- Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo).
- Yew (Taxus baccata).
Further information on how to apply is available on the department’s website.
Metribuzin withdrawal in 2025
Following the publication of the non-renewal of the approval of herbicide metribuzin (Regulation (EU) 2024/2806), authorisations for the Metribuzin containing products will be revoked with effect from 24th May 2025. The following sell-out and use-up grace periods will apply:
Last date of sale by retailers/distributors: 31st August 2025
Last date of use by end-users: 24th November 2025
This herbicide was popular amongst potato growers, Sencorex Flow has off label approval for use on forest nurseries, protected and out door ornamentals. Use in late winter will give good residual control.
Parrat (Dimethomorph) last use by date 20/05/2025
Frupica (Mepanipyrim) last date for use by grower 20/05/2025
Dynamec (Abamectin) last use by 30/7/2025
Batavia/Clayton Occupy/ Movento (Spirotetramat) last use by 30/10/2025
Biathlon (Tritosulfuron) last use by 7/11/2025
Sencorex Flow (Metribuzin) last use by 24/11/2025
See full details here from PCRD including non-hort PPP withdrawals
Teagasc issue updated financial value of organic nutrients
February 22nd GLDA Seminar Building Resilient Landscapes for a Changing Climate
February 25th Grafting training workshop, Teagasc Ashtown
September Teagasc Study tour Vancouver
Dónall Flanagan Nursery Stock – Ornamentals Specialised Adviser – Teagasc,- Ashtown Food Research Centre – Dunsinea Lane – Ashtown – Dublin 15 – D15 KN3K.
Mob.087 7035823 – Tel. 0761114021 Email donall.flanagan@teagasc.ie
