Customer experiences

How did you first learn about Vici Fix, and when did you start using it?

Peter: We learned about it at a Koppert customer event—a kind of customer day for chrysanthemum growers. That’s where we conducted our first trial with Vici Fix.

David: I presented the results, and then we ran a few trials.

Peter: We’d already been using a product from REKA—Parva—for some time, so we were already working with them.

What did you observe in the initial trials?

Peter: It worked better in the fall, but in the winter the results were a bit disappointing. The fungal pressure still got quite high. There was a logical explanation for that: Vici Fix doesn’t start working until after two weeks, whereas Pythium sets in within a week. We may have had unrealistic expectations in that regard.

After that, the crop did recover very quickly. We conducted three trials—with and without Ranmantop, and with different amounts of Vici Fix.

“If you remove Ranmantop and see no difference, that’s already worth a lot.”

In the winter, the fungal pressure became too high after all, so we did add Ranmantop then.

Background information: The initial goal of the trial was to achieve higher branch weights and to investigate to what extent we could reduce the Ranmantop dosage in combination with Vici Fix. Ranmantop is a fungicide that protects the crop against Pythium but also provides a growth boost. The results showed that the branch weights were significantly higher. In the winter, however, we still observed increased crop loss, even though growth was very good. This led Huisman to decide to return to the original amount of Ranman Top, while still adding Vici Fix to promote better crop development.
So while we cannot replace the fungicidal effect of Ranman Top, we can surpass its growth-boosting effect with Vici Fix.

What are the biggest challenges in your cultivation?

Peter: For us, it’s not so much about Pythium. If Ranmantop were to be discontinued, that would be a challenge. But we’re not yet fully convinced that Vici Fix can completely replace it…

For us, it’s all about branch production: higher yields of high-quality branches per square meter.

We don’t grow the heavy varieties intended for the Russian market.

“We’re looking for solutions that support the plant and the cultivation process, so that the crop grows stronger and we can ultimately produce more high-quality branches per square meter.”

We grow primarily for the English market, for funeral use (60–70%).

Do you actually see a difference in yield with Vici Fix?

Peter: Yes. At first, we saw a difference of about five percent. We don’t measure it very often ourselves, because branch weight is less important for us than it is for a Russian variety. But REKA measured it—in the trials, there was consistently a difference of around five percent.

We’re now trying to shorten the growing cycle: fewer long days, thicker pots, and faster rotation. We want to achieve higher yields with the same weight—in other words, a higher yield of high-quality branches per square meter.

What has been your experience with biostimulants in general?

Peter: Biostimulants are tricky. You have to believe in them. Chemicals either work or they don’t—that’s clear. But a biostimulant might work really well one time and not quite as well the next. Once you start using it and it goes well, you’re hesitant to stop. But if you skip a treatment, you don’t always notice the difference right away.

What sets Vici Fix apart: across multiple growers and multiple trials, you almost always see that increase in weight. That’s quite an achievement for a biostimulant.

“You now have a product where, across multiple growers and multiple trials, you almost always see that greater increase in weight. That’s quite an achievement for a biostimulant—that you consistently see improvement.”

David: Another big advantage is that Vici Fix is a single organism: one fungus that does just one thing. Other biostimulants mix all kinds of things together—bacteria, fungi—and then it’s actually not very effective. This one contains just one organism, and it’s always the same. That ensures consistency.

Peter: We use Parva because it’s inexpensive. But now that I’m using it, I’m not going to switch.

Was it surprising that Vici Fix works so well in the greenhouse, too?

Peter: Yes, to be honest, I do. In a greenhouse environment, you basically already have everything you need in sufficient quantities—you’re not dependent on rain or outdoor conditions. And yet, the crop clearly responds to it.

David: The logic is that the roots grow deeper, allowing the plant to absorb more moisture and nutrients from the deeper soil layers.

“It's strange that a greenhouse crop would react this way, even though it basically has everything it needs. I didn't necessarily expect that beforehand either.”

Peter: Vici Fix isn't enough to replace Ranmantop in the winter; it's too late by then.

Peter: Ranmantop is also a kind of insurance. It's a shame that biostimulants don't provide that same level of assurance.

60% of our fertilizer is chicken manure.

What is the specific reason you continue to use Vici Fix?

Peter: That this product allows us to achieve higher branch production—in less time, with the same weight.

“With this product, we can achieve higher branch production in less time, while maintaining the same weight.”

Would you recommend it to fellow growers?

Peter: Yes. And actually, I don’t think you even need to sell it hard once you show the results from the trials.

“I don’t think you even need to make a pitch once you see the results from your trials. It’s not that hard to sell, especially for the varieties that really depend on extra weight.”

Testimonial collected by REKA – Annika & David | Chrysanthemum cultivation, 5 hectares | Independent farm