Since more than 10 years now, week 24 is a fixed date in the agendas of breeders, growers and traders for pot and balcony plants. This year a total of 62 companies have organized mostly under great effort their splendid variety shows in both Dutch regions Westland and Aalsmeer as well as in the German region of Rheinland-Westfalen. Though not all numbers are known, it is very doubtful wether the organizers of this year would have registered a visitor record. Firstly, this year´s week 24 goes along with a holiday week in many European countries thanks to the christian Pentecost. Secondly as the retail sale of outdoor plants started with outstanding numbers in April, in May the ongoing wet weather in Europe just let the consumer demand go down dramatically. Consequentely the prospects in regard of total sales season seems to be quite gloomy for many industry players. In contrast the sales of pot carnations happened to be quite unaffected though weather effects.

The highly appreciated industry award, the FleuroStar, given from the international breeding organization Fleuroselect went to the Dutch breeder Beekenkamp. Its Begonia elatior variety „Dreams Garden Macarouge“ convinced the jury, which not only benchmarks  the level of innovation in regards to the competitive varieties but also the sheer “WoW- effect” of the plant itself.