Customer experiences

The chrysanthemum nursery Bovebo & Rubens, based in Heerhugowaard and Hensbroek, is no stranger to the trade press. Previously, the owner and manager explained how their shift toward more organic practices and healthier soil meant that, while nematodes did not disappear entirely, they did lose their harmful effect on the crop. It’s a great story about strategy and philosophy, but what actually happened in the soil—and what results that produced—remained largely behind the scenes. Peter Ootes, from Rubens, who grows exclusively Baltica chrysanthemums (white, yellow, pink, and cream) on 5 hectares, is now filling in the details of that story himself.

Nematodes as the Biggest Challenge

“Right now, it’s definitely thrips and nematodes,” Peter says, describing the main challenges in his cultivation. For three years now, he has been using the resilient cultivation strategy developed by REKA and Koppert: Vidi Fortum, Vidi Terrum, and Trichoderma are standard components of his strategy. Before that, he didn’t use anything comparable. Mycorrhiza, however, was completely new territory for him—until Vici Fix came into the picture.

The Trial That Changed Everything

He didn’t stop at assumptions. Together with REKA, Koppert, and Van Iperen, he set up a clear comparison: half a plot treated with the standard dose plus Vici Fix, and half a plot without it. According to him, the difference was undeniable.

“There were clear results showing that they had more roots. That was actually the moment I thought: okay, this works.”

What began as skepticism about an unknown product turned into conviction within a single growing cycle. So strong, in fact, that he asked for more stock afterward.

More roots, more yield, and numbers to prove it

The initial impression wasn’t limited to roots that appeared to be more attractive. Rubens had the weight per bunch measured for both variants of the trial.

“I saw the differences between… I don’t remember exactly, but it was around 10% or something like that.”

Peter’s explanation is simple but to the point: “If the carrot grows better, the crop grows better too. It’s as simple as that.”

What if he hadn’t used it?

Perhaps the most concrete statement of the entire conversation concerns the alternative. When asked what would have happened without Vici Fix, Peter answers without hesitation: he would have had to steam much earlier.

In doing so, he ties in with precisely the topic the industry has been discussing for some time: reducing steam application while maintaining healthy, resilient soil. Not as a philosophy, but as a measurable effect of a specific product in a specific trial.

An investment that pays for itself

He’s also realistic about the cost. A bottle of Vici Fix costs about €500 and is good for nine applications, which works out to about €150 per canopy. “It’s an investment, but if you break it down to the price per square meter, it’s not too bad.”

Resilient farming is not a dogma

Peter doesn’t just share success stories. When he cut back on nitrogen application too drastically as part of the resilient farming approach, things went wrong: while the thrips remained under control, the crop began to decline. After making adjustments, the balance was restored—thrips under control, growth back on track.

It’s a nuance that’s easily lost in the broader industry narrative: resilient farming isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula, but a precision process that requires constant adjustments.

Practical, Not a Miracle Cure

Peter also emphasizes that achieving results requires careful application. For example, the filters must be removed from the spray boom before applying Vici Fix; if you forget to do that, the product won’t work. It’s not rocket science, but it’s a detail that makes the difference between seeing results and not.*

His advice to fellow growers who are still hesitant is therefore practical: “Just try it the way I did. Simply apply half a cap or skip it altogether, and see the results.”

*Rubens applies Vici Fix using a spray boom.
Vici Fix can be applied in several ways: via propagation, in-furrow, soil injection, and via a drip system.

In addition to Vici Fix, Rubens also uses Vidi Fortum and Vidi Terrum from REKA and Trichoderma products from Koppert as part of his resilient cultivation strategy against nematodes and thrips in Baltica chrysanthemums.