The cold stores not only allow better management and flexibility in deliveries, but also artificially achieve the accumulation of cold hours that the plant needs, as well as a plant material that is healthier, cleaner and controlled of pests and diseases.
On the verge of reaching the halfway point of the winter campaign, Viveros Hernandorena takes stock and makes a forecast of its development, in a year undoubtedly marked by the DANA and its effects on society in general, but also on the agricultural sector, to which the Hernandorena’s team has committed itself.
Fulfilling the growth strategy set out some years ago, Viveros Hernandorena expects to close the bare-root campaign with more than 300,000 plants marketed, with persimmon, stone fruit, pomegranate, kiwi and quince standing out.
Sales in December and January have been going very well and will be reinforced from February onwards with exports. ‘Sales have been brisk and there is a good demand for the plants’, confirms sales manager Rosa Hernandorena Ribes.
In the case of Viveros Hernandorena, this bare-root plant campaign will continue until next April, thanks to the setting up of cold stores. In total there are more than 150 m2, with humidity and temperature control, which also allows the injection of ozone to ensure the delivery of plants free of pests and diseases. ‘Thanks to these chambers, we achieve better management in the nursery with bare-root plants, also offering flexibility to the grower when it comes to delivery’, adds the sales manager.
Check the updated stock here: Stock frutales a 28-1-25
Cold stores, a paradigm shift
But these cold stores not only provide better management, flexibility when it comes to marketing the plant, or extending the season, also they are the key elements in a paradigm shift in species that require accumulation of cold hours.
The increasingly shorter and warmer winters limit the dormancy or winter rest that plants need for good development in spring. With cold stores, where the plants spend at least two weeks, this accumulation of chilling hours is achieved artificially, while at the same time the plant material is cleaner and controlled for pests and diseases. ‘Not only do we achieve a better stocking of a large volume of plants and flexibility for the grower to be able to withdraw the product, but we also put a healthier plant on the market with greater reserves for a more optimal development in the field’, Rosa Hernandorena Ribes explains.
It is therefore necessary to change the paradigm that plant freshness is achieved by minimising the time between starting in the nursery and planting by the farmer. Nowadays, cold stores are necessary, with an important value when it comes to offering the best plants to the sector.
Preparing the spring carob tree campaign
At the same time, Hernandorena will soon start preparing the carob tree campaign, a minority crop, but one in which they are true specialists.
