After a period of consolidation over the last two years, Double H, one of the UK’s largest pot plant and ornamentals growers, is again set on an expansion course.

Between 2004 and 2005 it centralised its production on a single site at New Milton, Hants, selling its other premises at nearby Sway, and withdrawing from a leasing operation in Devon.

“At the same time our production was increased from 35,000 to 55,000 square metres, which maintained similar volume levels and also created economies,” explained managing director Neil Stevenson, who currently markets some four million pots annually.

“Being reliant on peak production periods always looks attractive, but our aim is to create stable sales, 365 days of the year,” he said.

As a result the largest lines are some 1.8 million begonias and 1.5 million pot chrysanthemums sold over 12 months, 200,000 poinsettias, as well as cyclamens for the Christmas trade. More recently after a trial period, it has added 400,000 Cala lilies which fit well into the production cycle and are available through spring and summer.

But like the rest of horticulture, DoubleH has an eye on what will become popular in the future.

“The industry has no central research on which to draw, so we are all really left to our own devices, " he explains. "We obviously keep in touch with breeders, but also have an eye on what is proving to be popular on other markets, as well as liaising with our supermarket customers.”

The result is the company is now moving towards becoming a major multiple supplier of phaelenopsis, a tall spiky orchid with blooms which range from white with a mottled variation to both vivid cerise and yellow.

Developed in Holland, the young imported plantlets are currently grown-on just before the spike appears. This process can take three years from scratch in a constant growing temperature of 28C.

They yield a current retail ticket which can range between £6 to £30 according to size, and are reportedly already being well received by retailers.

“At over three feet tall and demanding special packaging, it is the largest single flowering plant available which also adds to its rarity value,” says Stevenson. "These criteria have encouraged Double H to make a major investment in its future.”

A tailor-designed heated 16,000 sq metre block at a cost of over £1 million is being built on the site which will become operational by the autumn.

“Creating the best growing conditions will not only allow volume, but also allow Double H to develop phaelenopsis faster on the market by starting its production cycle with more mature plants,” Stevenson concluded.

Topics