The
IPPS experience – Kerikeri
Although a long drive for some, Kerikeri is an underestimated
beauty in Northland. The IPPS field trip of March 2007
was an experience that no-one in the garden or nursery
world should miss. The field trip was run between the
3 and 4th of March with tours of the surrounding nurseries
and gardens centers of the area of Kerikeri.
People traveled from as far as
Invercargill to come to the field trip and the lucky
few that could arrive the Friday beforehand were
invited to a “pizza
night” hosted by Wharapuke sub-tropical gardens.
Here new and “seasoned” members and visitors
were able to introduce themselves to each other while
sitting outside on a warm summer’s night We all
enjoyed the homemade gourmet pizzas, salad and dessert
while surrounded by the extensive sub-tropical gardens.
This is also where some of the field trip participants
stayed as Wharapuke has good accommodation available.
The days that followed were packed
to the last minute with tours and activities that
were thoroughly enjoyed by all. As the group moved
from activity to activity, a presentation of wine
was given to the people who took the group around.
The wine was generously donated by Scotts. A big “Thank you” to
them.
First off was a visit to Olivado New Zealand, where
they press avocados into the wonderful range of oils
that can be found in supermarkets. Phill Civil was
kind enough to show us the processes involved and tell
us how the market has been going. They get their avocados
from as far south as Katikati and Tauranga and can
turn 1000 kg of 2nds avos into 150 litres of liquid
gold.
Next was Baker Boys Nurseries owned by Andrew and
Mike Baker. Their nursery supplies large plants (most
in amazing PB95s) mostly to garden centers and large
landscape companies. Their business is a fine example
of what potential the garden/nursery sector can reach
in this country, as their astounding 19 acres of high
quality plants were truly amazing and beautifully maintained
to ensure their high quality.
The group then went to Hot Research to find out about
the new research put into kiwifruit. Their objectives
at the moment are to create a strand of high quality
green kiwifruit and the upper hand on a red fleshed
one. Currently China may be slightly ahead but New
Zealand is catching up quickly. They have around 20
species of kiwifruit there, which they are studying
and have a nursery where they grow on the breeding
plants for the New Zealand marketplace.
The bus then took the group back
to Wharapuke for a wonderful lunch sponsored by “Greenfingers” Whangarei.
Here is where Robin Booth showed the group around the
extensive gardens while sharing his incredible knowledge
about all of the species of the plants, and all of
the locations around the world that you can find them.
Kerikeri Plant Production nursery is
run by the hosts of this field trip Tom and Julia. This
nursery as a wide range of plants available to the public,
as well as GOL and they have been running it for 11
years. Their specialty is ferns from spores that they
obtain from their own extensive collection.
The last nursery/garden center for the
Saturday was Palmco, which has been running for 14 years
and supplies plants from seedling to over 7 meters tall!
Their extensive knowledge allows purchasers to know
what type of palms is suitable for them and the correct
way to transplant them. This is essential to insure
the palm arrives in perfect condition and maintains
a healthy state for the customer.
That night Interworld plastics were wonderful enough
to sponsor a dinner at Kerikeri Cruising club. The
meal as well as the atmosphere was wonderful, and the
views were spectacular.
Sunday morning started early for
some, as Kerikeri holds a local growers market where
you can pick up items such as cheese, chilies and
fruit and vege. You shouldn’t miss this if
you are in the area. It happens from 8:30 am to around
12 noon.
The last nursery to be visited was Kwan Citrus Nursery
owned and run by Peter and Joan Jurisich. They supply
Citrus to many major plant centers across New Zealand.
They get their ideas and index seed from the U.S. They
also have a great garden centre that is open to the
public closer to town which has a wide selection of
plants and accessories for the home and garden.
The last visit was to The Parrot Place. The birds
that they have on display are rich in colour as well
as diversity. Many are from Africa, South America and
Australia, (they even have a collection of birds that
are trained to sit on people and talk). Definitely
one not to miss.
At the end of this hectic but most enjoyable trip
was a picnic lunch at rainbow falls. Here people went
their separate ways until the next IPPS field trip.
Here I would like to thank the sponsors of this trip
including; Interworld Plastics, Greenfingers Whangarei,
Scotts and everyone who helped. Thank you
Emily Knight
Marketing Manager
Kereru Gardens
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