IPM ESSEN 2015 Closed with Records

World’s Premier Horticultural Fair Clearly Emphasised its Position as the Leading Platform of the Worldwide Green Sector.

IPM ESSEN was on course for success of seemingly record proportions: For the first time, 1,604 exhibitors from 49 countries introduced their innovative products and services along the entire value added chain in horticulture at the world’s premier fair in 2015. From January 27 to 30, around 56,500 trade visitors travelled to the Ruhr metropolis. That represented seven percent more guests from abroad than in 2014.

Increased Internationality and High Ordering Activities

In 2015, IPM ESSEN was once again able to increase its internationality substantially. 43 out of 100 visitors came from abroad. This figure was still 36 in 2014. With 83 percent, most of them are at home in Europe. It was possible to record rises particularly with regard to the guests at the fair from America (six percent of all visitors) and Asia (nine percent of all visitors). Three quarters of the visitors had purchasing and procurement responsibilities. A rise could also be registered in relation to the business deals concluded at the fair. More than a third placed orders for the coming season.

Raising the Value of the Plant as a Product

This year, IPM ESSEN was the meeting place in order to exchange ideas about the important subject of “Raising the Value of the Plant” and to develop new strategies. Jürgen Mertz, President of Zentralverband Gartenbau e. V. (“Central Horticultural Association”): “For me, the 2015 fair concentrated on the question of how we as a sector can increase the appreciation of our products and services. We have used the days at IPM ESSEN in order to hold a lot of constructive discussions. These have now resulted in a strong coalition which is assuming responsibility and, also in financial terms, has laid the foundation stone for a widespread image campaign. We are on a good path and are glad about every additional partner.”

Innovations and Awards

A large number of presentation ceremonies concentrated on innovations. In total, 39 exhibitors had submitted 65 innovations for the IPM Innovation Showcase.

• In the “Spring-Flowering Plants” category, the Expert Commission decided in favour of the Leucanthemum hosmariensis Hybride ‘African Rose’ by Kientzler from Gensingen, Germany.

• The Bidens Hybride‚ Beedance ® ‘Red + Eye’ by Moerheim from the Netherlands was distinguished in the “Bedding and Balcony Plants” category.

• The Boronia heterophylla ‘Lipstick’ by EPS from Kevelaer, Germany received the “IPM Innovation 2015” title in the “Tub Plants” category.

• The Promenaea Sunlight (Promenaea limelight x Promenaea xanthina) by Klusmann from Friedeburg, Germany was honoured in the “Flowering House Plants” category.

• In the “Green House Plants” category, the Artocarpus altilis ‘Ma’afala’ by Cultivaris North America from the USA can call itself the “IPM Innovation 2015”.

• In the “Cut Flowers” category, the ‘Könst Paradiso’, a spray alstroemeria by Könst Alstroemeria from the Netherlands, emerged as the victor.

• In the “Woody Plants” category, the jury decided in favour of the Rhododendron micranthum ‘Bloombux ®’ by Diderk Heinje from Edewecht.

• In the “Bushes and Shrubs” category, the jury chose the Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln Gold’ by Cultivaris North America from the USA as the “IPM Innovation 2015”.

• The IPM Innovation Award presented by INDEGA (“Representation of interests of the German horticulture industry”) distinguished pioneering refinements in gardening technology. One winner was the phytho foamer from Knecht which was developed together with the disinfection manufacturer Menno Chemie. On the other hand, DH Licht can count itself amongst the victors with its new MGR-E and MGR-K lamps for plant lighting.

• The Show Your Colours Award which was jointly organised by BIZZ Holland and Messe Essen honoured the plant with the most significant added value. The trophy was secured by the Rhododendron Bloombux® (‘Microhirs3’) which was created by Joh. Stolwijk & Söhne from the Netherlands and Diderk Heinje Pflanzenhandelsges. mbH & Co KG from Germany and can be utilised in particularly diverse ways not only in the private garden but also as a hedge in public spaces. The Hydrangea macrophylla Music Collection® by De Jong Plant bv from the Netherlands took second place. Third place went to the floating plants by R. Moerings bv, also from the Netherlands.

Floral Design on the Highest Level in the FDF Florist Event Centre

Particular interest was shown in the range on offer in the floristry area. The international stage programme in the Florist Event Centre of Fachverband Deutscher Floristen (FDF – “Trade Association of German Florists”) aroused the enthusiasm of visitors from all over the world. On all the days of the fair, Marcel Schulz (Germany’s champion florist), Leoni Gehr (runner-up in the German Florist Championship) and Eva Latsch (third-best in the German Florist Championship in 2014) showed springlike inspirations from the hands of masters.

IPM ESSEN was also the venue for the final heat with regard to the German participation in the Fleurop Interflora World Cup of Florists in Berlin in 2015. Jürgen Herold prevailed over four other competitors in an exciting contest live in front of the public. In an exceptional show, international teacher personalities in floristry presented the cosmopolitan nature of IPM ESSEN. With exotic blossoms, they gave insights into the different designing styles of their handicraft.

In an innovative stage show, German and Danish floral and product designers provided new stimuli for the plant in the interior. In various sets, they showed that, both indoors and outdoors, the plant is a permanent constituent in the lifestyle and the interior.

The special exhibitions staged by FDF showed the new floristic trends in 2015, attractive presentation examples for the chrysanthemum multitalent and flowery gift ideas with the Avalanche rose for young target groups.

“Liberation-Breakout-Departure” was the motto of this year’s IPM Fair Cup which Andrea Klostermann, Blumenhaus Ehling in Velen-Ramsdorf, Germany, was able to decide in her favour. The best bouquet with the maximum of 100 points was created by Jennifer Tiroke from Prinz Blumen in Mönchengladbach, Germany. The competition for the best decorative pot plant was won by Heike Henkel from Flowers! in Goch, Germany. Jasmin Jäger from FloralDesign Store Lersch in Bad Neuenahr, Germany, secured first place in the competition for the best tub planting arrangement.

 Supporting Programme was a Strong Crowd-Puller

The extensive supporting programme at IPM ESSEN once again met with a positive response. In this respect, attention centred on information, the exchange of ideas and networking. One central subject was the promotion of the up-and-coming generation. On the Training Day on the second day of the fair, the green associations provided around 500 pupils from classes 8 to 10 with information about the multifaceted occupational possibilities in their sector. At adventure stations, the pupils were able to become familiar with the varied activities in horticulture. The “Green Career” job exchange acted as an intermediary for vacancies.

This year, the International Horticultural Forum was dedicated to the economic outline conditions and market chances in Spain. The country is a very popular plant exporter whose economic cooperation with Germany offers great potential. The Horticultural Forum also provided information about various educational programmes which permit the international exchange of ideas between young specialists.

In its information event for nursery gardeners, landscape gardeners, architects and municipal decision takers, the foundation called “Die grüne Stadt” (“The Green City”) explained how more greenery improves the climate in cities. The correct urban greenery not only protects buildings from the consequences of extreme heat and cold but also binds carbon dioxide and fine dust from the air, improves the local microclimate by producing oxygen and evaporating water and promotes the biodiversity.

The Teaching Show of Zentralverband Gartenbau provided two main focal points: On the one hand, it addressed the subject of substrates and their correct use. On the other hand, the results of the EU Interreg project entitled “Healthy Greenhouse” were presented after four years of research work.

IPM ESSEN 2016

Around 90 percent of the visitors rated the range on offer at IPM ESSEN as very positive. Even now, 93 percent of the guests are planning to visit the fair once more next year. 97 percent of the exhibitors stated that they wanted to participate again. The next IPM ESSEN will take place at Messe Essen from January 26 to 29, 2016.