Keigo Nakamura

Thank you very much for your cooperation and support, and we are grad with your success.

I have visited to Holland from Nov 15 to 20th, and visited bulb field in each district, exporters, and bulb growers. Here I send you report about.

①Harvesting and shortage

　As we already informed shortage of LA partly, bulb enlargement of this year is not that good.
Longi, Asiatic and LA was harvested most till now, bulbs arrive at exporter, but shortage happens specially with big size of LA.
For instance, one variety of 18-20 was delivered only 30%, 16-18 was half, so even 14-16 (12-14) which Japan use is also influenced.
It seems very big problem in Italy who mainly use big size.　Shortage information so far was only newer varieties which one or few grower growing. But Crop result is not all bad, like some grower even get additional of Serrada which was sold out for long time.
Longi was not bad crop, but already Japanese like variety was completely sold out, even small size.

②Oriental/OT Harvesting and growth

In reference of LA, Oriental is also expected shortage in big size (over 18-20).
　Climate after August 2010 was much rain, and botlytis was shown earlier than normal.
It’s little different depend on districts though, East Holland was earliest, then South and North Holland followed.
When grower stop disinfection spray has much influenced, and earlier plant dying caused less enlargement.

　Also, due to market price of bulb had continued lower, some part was planted in dense, which aim to increase profit in an acreage. Growth of such part in this year climate is not enough.
For example, Same lot Sorbonne in same field (next bed) in east Holland.　

Planting 6/8 by normal density became Ave 15.3cm, good growth.
Planting 8/10 by high density became Ave 15.1cm, bad growth.

Reference: by improvement of technique for planting material, share of 10/12 in planting is more than before.
In our investigation this time, average enlargement of checked lots was similar to 2008 crop, which even major varieties became shortage. (2008 is beginning year which bulb production became not enough).　

According to this situation, bulb price is getting very expensive, and also number of variety in offer is much less than usual. If shortage happened, it will be big problem, but exporters can’t purchase for substitution, so just pray for crop result.

Harvesting of oriental started since 2nd week November, but soon it was disturbed by big rain in weekend. When we visited in 3rd week harvesting became full swing, so schedule comes back normal.

③Power of Bulb

It has been more rain, less sun shine and earlier dying in growing season, so power of this year expected less in general.　

Opinion of our company is little different. (I’m worry it often face this way nowadays) 　

Ａ．Sun shine hours　　
　As I explained it in “bulb report” on Oct 7, meteorological statistic shows sun shine in this season is not less as following graphics.

Ｂ．Bulb enlargement
Refer to ②, less enlargement = not just fat. In fact, almost all bulbs at test digging was quite firm.　When potential 18-20 bulbs stay at 16-18, oppositely power contents can be estimated solid.

Ｃ．Sprout development
Following table is composed checking result of this year and last 3 years, by setting 2009 result as comparison.

Sprout of 2010 is similar to 2008 figure.

Maybe temperature went down in early autum, or low temp period was longer than middle temp, it seems Stem length & width is more developed to Sprout length & width.

Sprout shape of 2010 is less constricted, so I personally call it “Bullet type”. On the other hand, 2007 was thinner sprout and more conststricted.

It was little bulb freaky point of view though, anyway, impression is not bad, and thinking sprout development of 2010 is similar to 2008.

By mix up above mentioned point A.B.C, bulb power should be…
“Similar to 2008 and less than 2009”
I evaluate Normal (to little better).
It’s like a fortunetelling, please come & check the result in our “Lily Festa 2011” (June 1st- 5th) !!

④Import schedule
Asiatic /LA /Longi were harvest on schedule in early autumn, and shipped out Holland accordingly, and arrive Japan in middle of December on and on.
Oriental and OT is on shipping with early harvested bulbs like Turbo etc. Boat company continue “ECO speed” again this year, so please contact us for possible delivery schedule, one by one.

Now it goes to busiest end of year, please keep your health and we pray your further success !