Written by
Sabina
You probably know the Gerbera as a cheerful splash of colour in a bouquet. But did you know there’s a whole world of innovation behind this colourful flower? Especially at LG Flowers. With their own breeding programme, investment in technology and use of AI, they’re among the floriculture sector’s leaders in innovation. Curious? Read on and discover the story of LG Flowers!
About LG Flowers
Family business LG Flowers in Pijnacker specialises in growing Gerberas. A love of flowers runs in the Lansbergen family. Piet Lansbergen started the nursery in the 1950s, growing vegetables at the time. From the 1970s onwards, the nursery specialised in Gerberas, and LG Flowers (Lansbergen Gerbera) was born. Today, his grandchildren Joyce and Mike keep the business blooming, together with a passionate team. And they do it on quite a scale: the nursery covers more than 12 hectares, with around 95 million flowers leaving each year. That makes LG Flowers one of the largest Gerbera growers in the world!
A focus on innovation
The Gerbera is constantly evolving. With its own breeding programme, the nursery is always working on new and improved varieties. LG Flowers also invests heavily in new technology to make growing smarter and more sustainable. AI plays an increasingly important role in this. AI cameras can now detect signs of pests at a deviation of just 1%, compared with 10% previously, while smart data provides insights into the health of the greenhouse ecosystem.
Curious about the role of automation and robotics, and how they’re changing the way LG Flowers works? Co-owner Joyce Lansbergen shares more in the video below.
Green ambitions
LG Flowers is one of the most sustainable nurseries in the Netherlands and has a clear ambition: pesticide-free, gas-free and carbon-neutral growing. Over the past few years, they’ve invested, tested and learnt a great deal. This includes a heat storage tank that allows them to grow without gas for months at a time, and the ‘100% green’ pilot, which enabled them to grow without insecticides for 18 months. The knowledge and technology are there, but fully pesticide-free, gas-free and carbon-neutral growing doesn’t yet bring sufficient financial rewards to sustain a financially healthy business. You can read more about it here.
We don’t have vague sustainability plans. We have a clear ambition that we work towards with energy and enthusiasm every day.
Discover more growers’ stories
Curious to hear more from flower and plant growers? Read Marginpar’s story and discover how Clematis, naturally a climbing plant, can also make a long-lasting cut flower for your vase. Or find out where IKEA’s Monsteras come from and read all about VDE plant’s clever water system.
