22 February 2021
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Limburg's Math Teeuwen, who took over his father's asparagus farm in 1969, is always looking for innovation and improvement. In 1984 he was one of the first to install heating pipes under his asparagus fields. In the 1990s he introduced a black and white film and in 2000 he threw himself into breeding and developed hundreds of new hybrids together with Piet Boonen. Nieuwe Oogst spoke with the innovative asparagus grower about his latest, promising invention: chameleon foil.
Three layers
According to Teeuwen, his chameleon foil is the first foil innovation in asparagus cultivation in the last thirty years. The idea originated in Spain. "My granddaughter saw a chameleon there and asked me what it was. When I explained that this animal can change color, I got the idea to develop a foil that works with that principle," Teeuwen said.
The result is the 'Rey Pro TR product Chameleon Foil', a foil that consists of three layers: a black under layer, a white intermediate layer and a top layer that can have multiple colors. The top layer is biodegradable and, depending on sunlight, breaks down gradually. After 12 to 14 weeks the film becomes white and can therefore be reused for the next season.
Events
The invention of Teeuwen has several advantages. Through the film the asparagus grows up to 15cm above the ground. The pressure of the film makes the stems thicker and keeps the asparagus heads closed. As the asparagus grows in the elastic film, the heads are 'packed'. The white foil pushes the biodegradable foil away, preventing the head from burning. "Normally asparagus has up to 40 percent blue and 20 percent loose heads. With this new foil, you don't have that and you don't have rust either."
In addition, there is less need to harvest. Because the asparagus remain white, once every seven days of staking is sufficient in cold periods, once every four days when it's warmer. That means the foil doesn't have to come off the bed as often, and the staking also requires fewer personnel because it can harvest more than usual. "Instead of 15 to 20 kilograms per hour, pluggers can get as much as over 50 kilograms per hour."
More details about the chameleon film can be read at the growfoil.com website. Read the full report from New Harvest here. Also de Limburger went in conversation with the Limburg grower.