Van Geest Brothers Ltd.

Standing in a greenhouse field of perfect Gerberas daises when it is 10 below with 2 feet of snow outside is a smile inducing experience.

At least it is for Bryan Van Geest, who runs 120,000 square feet of Gerbera greenhouses in the Grimsby operation of the Van Geest cut flower family business, which also includes Westdale Greenhouses in St.Catharines. Westdale is managed by brothers, John and Rob, who grow Spray Mums, Mini Gerbera and Alstroemeria under 180,000 square feet of glass.

This second generation of Van Geest brothers have seen a lot of changes in their business since the first generation of brothers, Adrian and Cornelius, bought a one-acre greenhouse on Kerman Ave. in Grimsby in 1959. They began by growing a variety of potted and cut flowers and by the mid-sixties had built their first poly (plastic) house for tomatoes. By the end of the decade, the brothers were establishing themselves as cut flower specialists with Spray Chrysanthemums and Carnations.

August 1986 set out on a major expansion with the purchase of Westdale and the addition of Alstroemeria to their product mix, mostly to replace the declining market for Commercial Mums. A number of other crops were tested during the next few years but by 1998 Gerberas became the focus for the Grimsby greenhouses and a further expansion in 2001.

Van Geest Gerberas are grown in big pots rather than beds and each plant continually produces flowers for up to 3 years. Current production employs biologicals to ensure environmentally clean growing practices and products.

Cut Gerberas are shipped to wholesale markets in returnable buckets. They are also packaged for retail markets on black cards that protect the showy flower heads and prevent the fragile, leafless stems from bending. A clear plastic sheath covers the heads for further protection.

Customers can Pick Ontario grown fresh cut Gerberas by asking for them by the Van Geest Brothers brand name. Every bunch is sleeved with the logo so customers can quickly identify the superior Ontario grown quality.

To get the most out of Gerberas, Bryan recommends using vases that have been washed with a drop of bleach to kill any bacteria that might be lurking in the container. Changing the water daily and placing the flowers out of direct sunlight and away from ripening fruit are also good life extending tips.

For more information about Van Geest Brothers, contact Bryan Van Geest at bryan@vangeestbros.ca