A rainbow of colour at Green Expo
By Karen Smith
The colours of a rainbow were on show at the recent Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland’s Green Expo. The moment you entered the building, the place was abuzz with excitement and creative displays.
The Expo was held at the Gold Coast Turf Club and Events Centre, which has proved successful since moving from the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Exhibitors find it easier to bump in and bump out, which is a major consideration, and parking is abundant and close to the entrance. The centre was full of exhibitor displays both inside the building and outside under cover.
Businesses produced colourful and, in some cases, rather quirky displays that showed the quality of their products and sparked interest from all who attended. They set the tone of the event, and engender excitement and ownership, and possibly a chance to let their hair down and tap into their creativity. It’s not a matter of just having pots on a rack; it’s the connection between the supplier and the buyer.
Directly opposite the entry, BigLeaf Wholesale Nursery had an eye-catching display that was fun and was once again awarded for its efforts. This year, their display had a true Aussie feel to it, complete with a koala in a tree. Keiren Studders told me that he was inspired by a fishing trip he had about thirty years ago, and an old, corrugated iron shack.
New to the expo was Bamboo World. Their display was a lovely bathroom complete with a bamboo backdrop. Samantha Birkwood told me that their display only cost them around $400. They purchased materials from Facebook Marketplace, and what a great display it was.
Rhiana Pearce from Brisbane Valley Wholesale Nursery said her husband built the timber frame for their display, complete with lights. Now, they have this structure to use in future expos, and it showcases their products beautifully.
I would love to write something about all the displays, but space is limited. The colours were amazing, reminding us of the beauty of the plants we work with.
It might seem too hard for some to make the effort of a building unique display, but what I have noticed over sixteen years of attending expos is that the quirky displays spark discussion. I still remember Ross from Coastal Nursery when he had the Scalextric track set amongst his tubestock plants. Not one person walked past his display without stopping for a spin on the racetrack and a chat! Isn’t that what it is all about – making the connection with people.
Organisers were happy with the event, with new exhibitors on board ranging from growers to allied trades.
I know I say this every year and I am saying it again, if you weren’t there you missed out. Whether it’s held in Queensland or anywhere else in Australia, events such as this expo are about connection. The exhibitors I spoke with said attending is about connecting with their existing customers and making new customers. Exhibitors have an opportunity to show new products and learn about other exhibitor’s products. I love attending this expo for many reasons.
New Products in the Expo Spotlight
Flemings Nurseries have backed a winner with their supersized Jala™ Giant Avocado. Smooth skinned, easy to peel with a creamy texture (it is delicious), and reaching almost double the size of a regular avocado, this one is a winner. It doesn’t brown as easily as some and remains greener. Early trials show Jala™ appears to be self-pollinating.
Agave ‘Moonbeam’ from Calara Cacti & Succulents is a variegated form of Agave with luminous silvery shades of variegation and a compact growth habit. Water requirements are low, and it has the added benefit of not having sharp spikes.
FloraTech Biostimulants:
Stimulate is a natural rooting substance and bio-stimulant. It invigorates soil microbial activity, catalyses root growth and facilitates healthier soil while aiding in stress mitigation. Rejuvenate is an organic-based growth enhancer, soil rejuvenator & root booster.
Florafert Liquid: have a range of products; the two on display in the Expo Spotlight were Plant Pro and Extra Iron. Plant Pro is a supplement featuring 5% microbial metabolites and 8% organic acid combined with magnesium, manganese and organic nutrients. It’s 100% chelated micronutrients ensure quick absorption for plants and turf, has 12 essential ingredients and 10-1-5+TE formula. Extra Ironhas 6% chelated iron, ensuring rapid chlorophyl synthesis and nutrient uptake, 5% microbial metabolites and 3% organic acid. It is compatible with other tank mixed products and plant growth regulators.
Syngenta Hicure Biostimulant is a highly concentrated bio-stimulant consisting of amino acids and peptides. It contains 19 amino acids composing 62.5% w/w of the total product.
Garden City Plastics: 580mm and 650mm Advanced Tubs available in standard, squat, pot or bucket with matching saucers. Also, the new Anti-spiral range available in 143mm, 190mm, 300mm and 420mm. Enviropebbles, an eco-friendly alternative to regular pebbles for use in indoor plantscaping that are made from recycled PP5 and are reusable and lightweight. Available in black or white.
Rocky Point: Wood Fibre is a new sustainably produced and cost-effective substrate. Through thermal and mechanical defibration of local Australian softwood chips they have created a sterilised wood fibre, an alternative to current substrate additives like coir pith, peat and sawdust.
QPP (Quality Plastic Products): Composite Material Pots are made using 95% plastic and 5% either coconut fibre, wheat, rice or pine. Combining these materials creates a unique look (their colours are unique to each) and illustrates the ability to develop new sustainable products for the future.
Zoom: Petunia ‘Cherry Sky’ has a bright pink flower with white flecks. It has a robust mounding habit 30cm x 30cm. Petunia ‘Crazytunia Cosmic Pink’ has a star shaped flower pattern with pink overtones and white edges, 30cm x 30cm.
Heatons Nursery: Anthurium ‘Prince of Red’ when fully grown will hold over 40 bright red flowers 10-15cm in diameter. Anthurium ‘Red Bull’ has similar appeal to ‘Prince of Red’, as does Anthurium ‘White Winner’ which holds over 20 large flowers. They are all hardy performers.
Ryset: Chikamasa Japanese Florist Scissors and secateurs designed to precision cut flowers, plants and small branches. Also, on display were their new range of stainless-steel vases.
The Green Expo Gala Dinner and 90th Anniversary Celebration was a huge success. It was held at Sea World Resort, with good food and fantastic entertainment. The Awards were also presented at the dinner and were presented for:
Best of Expo Allied Trade: Fernland Floratech – Stimulate
Best of Expo Greenlife: Heatons Nursery – Anthurium ‘Red Bull’
Best New Product / Service Allied Trade: Quality Plastic Products – Composite material pots
Best New Product Greenlife: Flemings Nurseries – Jala™ Giant Avocado
Best Greenlife Display: Bigleaf Wholesale Nursery
Most Innovative Display People’s Choice: Bigleaf Wholesale Nursery
Best Allied Trade Display: Fernland
All images supplied by Karen Smith