That is the result of spontaneous mutation: a sudden change in the plant’s genetic material whereby the property of ‘colour’ changed from green to dark. Spontaneous mutations are rare, particularly a mutation that is stable and does not revert back to the original colour. Zamioculcas Raven was discovered in South Korea, and was successfully tested there for stability over a number of years and ultimately introduced as a new variety in the Zamioculcas family. Because Raven is so dark, it is particularly remarkable that the new shoots start bright green and gradually change colour to the darker shade. That natural colour change is therefore in the plant’s DNA, and is a very exceptional process to behold. The young green shoots do need some time to darken, between 5 and 10 weeks depending on the period and light strength.
Curio Aquarine Mount Everest:
This easy-care plant should be treated like a cactus, so lots of light and little water. This Curio originates from an African desert mountain range, and feels happiest in full sun. In the winter, when there is less light outside, we recommend that the plant is placed in the sun as much as possible. If the plant nonetheless receives less light, we recommend giving even less water and keeping the plant quite dry.
Zamioculcas Raven and Emerald Palm:
The Zamioculcas is a proven ‘easy care’ plant that’s happy anywhere in the home. But even the strongest plants need some protection occasionally. That is necessary in the summer months. During this warm period the sun is at its strongest, and if the Zamioculcas is in full sun it can scorch. You should therefore place the Zamioculcas in partial shade in the summer.
Zamioculcas
In principle, this strong plant can do well anywhere in the house where there is some light. But it is happiest in a spot that has partial shade. In the summer, please place the plant out of direct sunlight. The sun is very strong in the summer, and direct sunlight on the plant can cause stress. Whereas the plant likes to get a bit more sunlight in the winter.
Curio Mount Everest “Aquarine”
This African mountain plant is native to places where it is very dry and hot. It is therefore happiest in a position with lots of sunlight. It must particularly be placed in full sun in the winter.
Curio Aquarine Mount Everest derives its attractive blue colour from the layer of wax that covers the whole plant. This layer of wax or chalk is not purely decorative, but serves to protect the plant. It’s a highly functional characteristic, because it makes the plant stronger and more resistant to pests and diseases. This layer should therefore not be wiped off. Once the wax layer is gone, it will not reappear.
This plant should therefore not be ‘dusted’ like the Zamioculcas can to keep the plant looking particularly stunning.
Our plants are grown using the most environmentally-friendly technology.
- Electric forklifts are used in the greenhouse where the Zamioculcas are grown to deliver and collect the plants. This means that plants and people are not exposed to any polluting exhaust gases.
- The feeding water is recirculated, filtered and largely disinfected. This prevents contaminated water from ending up in the soil.
- As much as possible is done to make the plants strong and resistant to pests and diseases. This minimises the use of chemicals. If crop protection is required, we try to use biological pest control where possible. So we use geckos to keep the population of spiders in our greenhouses to a minimum. Geckos and spiders eat the same food, and the use of geckos keeps the spider population under control in a natural way. The advantage of geckos compared to spiders is that they leave droppings on the plant’s leaves.
For that reason our nursery is MPS-ABC (A+) certified. You can also view our certification status at https://www.volgjebloemofplant.nl/nl (by entering our registration number 680088 or 802608).
MPS-ABC
MPS-ABC is an environmental certificate that shows how sustainable the operations are at the company where the plants are grown. This is done by recording and monitoring the usage of crop protection products, fertilisers, water and energy. This usage is compared with the independently calculated and standardise reference usage.
The MPS-ABC certificate uses various grades: MPS-A+, A, B, and C, whereby the better the environmental performance, the higher the grade. MPS-A+ is the highest grade, and MPS-C is the lowest. Independent audits and product samples at the company safeguard the reliability of the MPS-ABC certificate. That means you can be sure that MPS-ABC certified products contribute to a better world.
You can find more information about MPS-ABC here: https://www.my-mps.com/certificaten-producent/mps-abc
MPS GAP
MPS-ABC is the underlying certificate in order to be able to display MPS-GAP. Every day we track the use of our crop protection products, when the equipment has been maintained, and how we handle the crop.
MPS SQ
MPS Socially Qualified (SQ) is suitable for companies that want to show that their products have been grown in good working conditions. MPS-SQ allows you to meet the demands of the retail channel. The MPS-SQ certification scheme sets out requirements relating to health, safety and working conditions.
MPS-SQ is based on universal human rights, the Codes of Conduct of representative local organisations, and the international agreements of the ILO (International Labour Organisation).
Nederlandse Bloemen Beraad (Dutch Flower Forum) (represented by FNV Bondgenoten, Both Ends and Organisatie Latijns Amerika Activiteiten) has been closely involved in implementing these international codes of conduct (ICC) within MPS.
In order to safeguard the legitimacy of the social standard to which the trade unions and human rights organisation have lent their name, representatives of these organisations are welcome as observers at the audits that take place at the company.
The Curio Aquarine Mount Everest needs to grow for a year to reach adulthood and be ready to sell.
Zamioculcas Emerald Palm also needs to grow for a year before it is ready to sell. Obviously the growing time does depend on how large the plant needs to be.
- 14 cm pot size: 10 to 12 months
- 17 cm pot size: 12 to 14 months
- 21 cm pot size: 15 to 17 months
Raven likes to take its time. Because of its dark colour, the dark-leafed Zamioculcas Raven variety grows less quickly than its green brother. It takes around 40 to 50% longer for this plant to be ready to sell compared to the Emerald Palm.
Zamioculcas Raven and Zamioculcas Emerald Palm
These plants have the special characteristic that they are ‘survivors’. These plants’ survival strategy is that they can last without water for a long time. They then obtain the required water from their roots and stems. Generally adopt the following schedule:
- Moderate watering, keep fairly dry.
- Watering in the summer is 100 ml every 14 days
- Watering in the winter is 100 ml every 30 days
- If you are unsure whether to water or not, it’s best to wait, particularly on darker days.