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Visit to Southern Belle Orchard 2017

There is a two layer system at the base of the plants, the first layer is the heating duct and then the plant layer. There are also two layers of plastic, the first one keeps the heat exactly where it is needed to heat the root to 20-22 °C.
There is a two layer system at the base of the plants, the first layer is the heating duct and then the plant layer. There are also two layers of plastic, the first one keeps the heat exactly where it is needed to heat the root to 20-22 °C.
In the sump tank the is a bag of compost with nutrients in it, 'teabag with compost' it also contains kelp and humic acid.
In the sump tank the is a bag of compost with nutrients in it, 'teabag with compost' it also contains kelp and humic acid.
Southern Belle has doubled the area of greenhouse space in 2014 and have 30,000m2.
Southern Belle has doubled the area of greenhouse space in 2014 and have 30,000m2.
The greenhouses are heated by a hot air system which spreads the warm air though the greenhouse, this means there are no tubes on the floor and makes cleaning easier.
The greenhouses are heated by a hot air system which spreads the warm air though the greenhouse, this means there are no tubes on the floor and makes cleaning easier.
Young feijoa trees.
Young feijoa trees.
Pollination is done by birds who are encouraged to nest in the 'penthouse boxes'.
Pollination is done by birds who are encouraged to nest in the 'penthouse boxes'.
Frans de Jong left The Netherlands with his to live a better life in New Zealand. These trees are 8 years old.
Frans de Jong left The Netherlands with his to live a better life in New Zealand. These trees are 8 years old.
Frans' daughter in law Emily who also works in the company.
Frans' daughter in law Emily who also works in the company.
A small feijoa on the tree.
A small feijoa on the tree.
The yield is around 30kg from a mature tree.
The yield is around 30kg from a mature tree.
There was an early frost this year but the feijoa had been harvested in time.
There was an early frost this year but the feijoa had been harvested in time.
On the pre-grader the fruit is sorted for the export or domestic markets.
On the pre-grader the fruit is sorted for the export or domestic markets.
Fran's son has specially adapted much of the sorting machine for the feijoas. Here has designed a stand on which the boxes fit perfectly.
Fran's son has specially adapted much of the sorting machine for the feijoas. Here has designed a stand on which the boxes fit perfectly.
Even after the post post harvest treatment pests can hide in the calex of the fruit so an burst of is applied as an extra measure.
Even after the post post harvest treatment pests can hide in the calex of the fruit so an burst of is applied as an extra measure.
The feijoa are placed by hand into the trays.
The feijoa are placed by hand into the trays.
Zeijoa is the brand from a group of New Zealand feijoa growers, the collaboration helps them increase volumes and maket share.
Zeijoa is the brand from a group of New Zealand feijoa growers, the collaboration helps them increase volumes and maket share.
The Palermo is still relatively new to New Zealand and rapidly growing in popularity.
The Palermo is still relatively new to New Zealand and rapidly growing in popularity.
All colours of capsicums are grown.
All colours of capsicums are grown.
A bust packhouse during the season.
A bust packhouse during the season.
Frans and his son Talbert working in the packhouse.
Frans and his son Talbert working in the packhouse.
Emily, Tineke and Talbert in the orchard.
Emily, Tineke and Talbert in the orchard.
The feijoa tree in full bloom.
The feijoa tree in full bloom.
All the family together!
All the family together!
Southern Bell's stall at the farmer's market.
Southern Bell's stall at the farmer's market.