Pretreatment substances — advice by FloraHolland

1. Introduction

We have recently been encountering questions about pretreatment substances for cut flowers. These questions concern the admissibility of the substances, their application and effect. This memo outlines FloraHolland’s current policy.

Pretreatment substances and their function

Pretreatment substances are used to optimize the condition of cut flowers, improve the vaselife and percentage of flower opening . This means consumers get good quality flowers. However, there are some requirements placed on the use of these substances.

1. The substance must be legal as pretreatment substance: i.e.,

1) legal admissibility has been established, or:

b) the manufacturer provides FloraHolland with a statement in which it confirms to FloraHolland that the substance does not require admissibility (since some substances have exemptions)

2. The substance must be effective:

The results of an independent flowering study endorse the effectiveness of the substance.

The manufacturer can arrange for FloraHolland’s Product Quality Knowledge Center (for a fee) to carry out this research.

3. The substance must be verifiable:

This is especially important when a substance is compulsory. The FloraHolland laboratory checks product groups for the proper application of pretreatment substances.

The manufacturer of the substance markets it and is responsible for meeting these basic conditions.

Misconceptions sometimes arise in that clients perceive FloraHolland to be delaying or even blocking alternative substances. This is certainly not the case, but FloraHolland can only recommend (or demand) the use of those substances for which the three basic conditions above have been met by the manufacturer of the substance. Therefore, the manufacturer is responsible for creating the basic conditions such that FloraHolland can recommend the use of a substance to its members.

The conditions apply to all suppliers of pretreatment substances.

For further information: Product Quality Knowledge Center

Aalsmeer tel: +31 (0)297-392509

Naaldwijk tel: +31 (0)174-632491