Mechanisation of grading process and botrytis control by using Spraymaster Selection in Kenya

Since the beginning of this year, Zena Roses (Asai farm) is now using the grading machine of RUTEC from the Netherlands: the Spraymaster Selection. According to Mr Maurice di Stefano, this machine is developed on request of growers in Latin America and Africa. This means not looking at existing technology, but looking at the needs and problems of grading flowers in Latin America and Africa, and developing a machine that takes care of these issues. The machine developed by Rutec has the maximum capacity of grading 8.000 roses per hour. Grading is done on length.

Optional the machine has also grading options for:

• Headsize
• Cutstage

The benefit of grading by machine are the following:

• No downgrading of longer stems to shorter stems. This should bring more money immediately, by not loosing length.
• Equal grading
• Increase of productivity per person

After grading flowers are collected on lyras, the Latin American system to grade roses. The machine is specially designed for usage in Africa and Latin America. The machine has been designed to be easily maintained.

Next to the grading option, the machine is also equipped with a Spraymaster, to spray LIQUIDSEAL on each rose individually. Oscar Rietkerk of LIQUIDSEAL has told us: "Individual spraying optimises the consumption of LIQUIDSEAL (economical), also while all what does not come on the roses, is being reused".

The tunnel, where LIQUIDSEAL is being sprayed, is completely pressurised, which makes sure that not any product comes out of the tunnel. This makes it possible according to Rutec, for people close to the machine not having to use any protection. This improves the work situation in the post-harvest.

Individual spraying of roses with LIQUIDSEAL gives the most effective coverage of the rose. The top, bottom of the bud as well the inside of the rosebud is being sprayed. The LIQUIDSEAL, in combination with a chemical against botrytis, will give a protection of 2, up to 3 weeks, so the flowers will travel through the supply chain in the best possible way. Consumers will enjoy the roses in the most possible way, while their product is protected against botrytis, and is having a better vaselife.

Several whole salers in Europe told Oscar Rietkerk that they see very soon that growers use LIQUIDSEAL or not, for having better vaselife and botrytis protection. However it would be better when growers use it consistantly, while this means a better quality level year-round.

In the near future an open day for demonstrating the machine will be organized. We will keep you posted on this matter.