As warm weather approaches, flower growers have also started the season. Sandris Chulkstens, a resident of Valdemārpil, who took over this profession from his parents, recently moved to a new place – from now on you can buy flowers from him in Valdemārpils, Talsu Street 37.
To enjoy the first splendor of spring, we go to Valdemārpilis, where Sandris Chulkstens welcomes us together with his friend Laura Freiberg and the four-legged family pet Jane. Sandris reveals that trading starts with the warm weather – the end of March and April, but the sowing works are already in August.
“At the end of September, in October, we plant widows in pots, then they grow together and overwinter. Cons do not bother them – they are hardened. At nights when it is minus one, we leave the hatches open for ventilation. Last year it was a very warm autumn, so the widows have bloomed quite early, it’s even good that now it’s cooler, in the heat the widows grow very fast,»
explains S. Chulksten.
Yellow, spotted and blue widows are in demand
When talking about varieties, he reveals that both color shades and durability are taken into account: «We keep the ones that grow better in our conditions. Other times, the colors are different from those shown in the catalogs, they are shown more beautifully in the catalog, they do not look like that in real life, therefore there is no demand in the market.» In general, yellow, spotted and blue widows are in demand. Many people plant small-flowered widows in graves – they are very hardy, even if there is a severe frost. In order not to miss anything, flower growers try to balance the supply and offer something new from time to time, adapting to the demand.
To the market – from Easter to Midsummer
At the moment, the season is still at the very beginning – more activity and interest in flowers occurs with the onset of warm weather. “Interest arises with the warm weather, when the sun shines. If the warm weather falls on Easter, suddenly everyone needs flowers, everyone travels at the same time. The large pots are usually bought as gifts when visiting. Others like to assemble the pot themselves, there are also hanging varieties in the form of seedlings. Starting from the end of March, April, the markets are also more active. We usually go to the market from Easter to Midsummer, when people are most interested. We are going to Talsi and Roja. We are in Talso on Thursday and Saturday, and in Roja on Wednesday and Friday. In May, we live in the markets for even five days”, says S. Chulkstens.
The main thing is to learn from mistakes
He has been working in this field since childhood, thus the necessary skills and knowledge were acquired relatively early. “I watered petunias from the age of ten (laughs). I studied IT for half a year, a year, but I realized that it was not for me, I helped my parents and slowly took it all over. I understood that, as times go forward, it is necessary to expand. I have learned everything I need from my parents and by doing and making mistakes myself – the main thing is to learn from mistakes.
We mostly work here in pairs. More people are on holidays, they also have to work on Sundays and in the evenings. During the season, working days are long – from morning to evening. When the sun starts to shine in May, there is only work, work and more work, there is little time left for yourself. In winter, it is more relaxed, but the work is all year round – during the winter, the widows have to be taken care of, when there is a thaw, they must be melted… Later there are summer flowers – petunias, begonias, a field of daffodils will also bloom here. Primroses and marigolds will also start to bloom soon. During the summer we sell the last summer flowers, and then already in August we have to sow again. We haven’t sold everything yet, when we have to send the seeds and think about next year.»
“We have been here since autumn”
Previously, the greenhouses were located deeper in the city, but when driving from Talsi, they can already be seen from a distance. “We have been here since autumn – we expanded a little. The plus side is that there is more space in the garden and the flowers get more sun, there was more shade between the houses. We dismantled one of the greenhouses, moved it, painted it and built it again. When looking for a place to move, we thought about making it easier for people to get to and find us. I am committed to being here every day from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This is important for people, so that when driving by, they can drive in and not have to think about whether there will be someone opposite or not. Another greenhouse will be built for the next year,” S. Chulksten outlines future plans.
2024-03-29 01:10:00