The quality and attention that Lensli, together with the grower, pays to the best possible potting soil are important to us, as is the regular contact in which points for attention and improvement are actively and properly addressed.”
More than 40 years ago, Herman Huijbers started his own tree nursery in Beek en Donk. In 1994 the company, which was then called Huibers Boomkwekerij, moved to Someren. Thanks to the discovery of the Picea Glauca 'Perfecta' and the acquired breeder's rights to it, Boomkwekerij Huijbers specialized in this cultivation at the time. The company has now grown into one of the largest Picea's nurseries in the Netherlands.
In 2024, Boomkwekerij Huijbers was taken over by PT-Creations and has since continued its activities under the new name PT-Potcultures BV. In addition to the nursery in Someren, the PT-Nurseries nursery in Wijk and Aalburg also falls under PT-Creations.
Piceas
PT-Potcultures has specialized in the cultivation of Picea's. From cutting to end product, these remain in the nursery for 2 to 3 years before they are sold to the trade.
With an area of over 10 hectares, 4,5 million cuttings and no less than 3,5 million P9 planting material are made annually. Lensli has been the regular supplier for both cutting soil and potting soil for over 12 years.
On 1 hectare with 5 liter pots, 50.000 mother plants are grown annually from our own plant material for cuttings. PT Potcultures only uses self-grown cuttings and does not purchase cutting material. Cuttings are made and grown all year round in a 2 hectare greenhouse.
There is room on the outdoor fields for 5 hectares of cultivation of p9 planting material, in which the rooted cuttings are grown into a final product for 1 year.
The Piceas from PT-Potcultures are supplied throughout Europe to growers, retailers, garden centers and retailers. The growers' market is the largest customer market, but there is strong growth in the direct Christmas trade segment, which has been given new impetus with the takeover by PT-Creations.
Since January 2019, the daily management of the nursery has been in the hands of Jules Klessens and Arno Berkers. There are now 15 permanent employees all year round. There are also many seasonal workers in the high season. On average, 20 people work in the nursery.
Whatever you do, you must do it well; quality and satisfied customers come first.
Quality number 1
PT-Potcultures' vision is that whatever you do, you must do it well; quality and satisfied customers come first. The targeted focus on Picea allows the nursery to optimally focus on quality. Quality comes first in all activities. In order to guarantee quality up to and including the end product, climate control in the greenhouse and watering with the right amount of nutrients in the right composition are important components. Soil and water samples are regularly taken to monitor the quality. In addition, the control of diseases, pests and weeds also requires the necessary attention. Finally, in order to deliver a product that is as similar as possible, all available end products are sorted with cameras.
The substrate obviously also plays an important role for the quality of the cuttings and plants. The nursery has been working with Lensli Substrates to full satisfaction for more than 12 years.
Manager Jules explains: “The quality and attention that Lensli pays together with the grower to the best possible potting soil are important to us, as is the regular contact in which points of attention and improvement are actively and properly addressed. In addition, we make a monthly round through the nursery during the growing season to discuss cultivation issues regarding substrate and fertilization.”
Future
The company aims to grow as sustainably and cleanly as possible in the coming years. The company is therefore continuously looking for solutions to achieve this. In addition, PT-Potcultures wants to continue to invest more efficiently and optimally in economies of scale and sustainability in order to continue to optimize the company's position as a tree nursery.
In the future, PT-Potcultures hopes to work with the new owner, Mark Timmermans, to look at new opportunities and possibilities for optimizing cultivation with controlled growth of the company. Naturally, all attention is paid to growing Picea's as cleanly and sustainably as possible with the highest possible quality.