Page 22 - Landscape-Issue123

PROFILE

SANA YOUNG GROWER

AWARD RECIPIENT

Katrien van Zyl of Arnelia Wholesale Nursery was awarded the SANA Young Grower
Award in 2021. These awards were created to acknowledge young SANA members

and employees under the age of 35 who excel and perform above expectation.

he awards celebrate individuals, who Flower) and a range of Bougainvilleas.
are judged on their outstanding In the first instance, we grow plants in
Twork, dependability, initiative, the genera Protea, Leucadendron (cone
interpersonal relations, teamwork and bush), Leucospermum (pincushions),
general value to their organisations. Serruria (Blushing Brides), Aulax, Mimetes,
Landscape SA posed the following and Orothamnus (March Rose), all South
questions to her: African members of the family, as well as
Telopea and Banksia from the Australian
Please give details on your part of the Proteaceae family. In the case of
horticultural background, and why Bougainvilleas, we grow varieties in a range
you chose this as a career of colours that are suitable for container
I completed my ND Horticulture at CPUT growing, as well as varieties more suited as
in Cape Town. Growing up on a farm in screening plants.
the Sandveld, my family and I spent most
of our time bonding through gardening. What does a person need to be
My earliest and fondest memories are of successful grower, apart from a
my grandmother, who took us on walks horticultural qualification?
in the field, identifying and expanding With a passion for propagation and being
knowledge of wild plants along the way. open to learning and improving, one
These activities ignited my love and is already halfway to being successful.
passion for horticulture. Networking with others in the industry
ensures a solid support structure and
Where did you work after sharing of knowledge. There will be good
qualifying? years and bad years, and one’s teacher, as
My career started at Fairholme Plants, well as the lessons learned, are in the bad
where I was involved in all aspects of years. The wisest words ever spoken to me
the business – propagating cuttings, were: “The best fertiliser in your orchard are
filling orders and acting as a field agent. your footsteps in the rows.” This is a good
I then moved to Flora United Protea starting point to success.
Farms where I was responsible for the
meticulous scouting of the orchards for What was Arnelia’s motivation for
pests and diseases, rooting of Proteaceae Katrien van Zyl entering you for the award?
and managing of the pack shed for export They said: “Katrien has excelled beyond
cut flowers. Whilst at ALG Estates, I helped all expectations in her role at Arnelia,
manage a citrus nursery which involved and deserves to be recognised for her
irrigation, budding, fertilising, pest and What are your favourite plant continuous hard work and dedication to
disease management. species? improve not only her area, but to contribute
This is a difficult yet easy answer! My to the growth of Arnelia as a whole. She is an
How long have you been at Arnelia favourite is Capsicum spp., especially exceptional individual and we are proud to
and what are your responsibilities Jalapeno. I love the fact that they are diverse have her on our team.”
here? and their uses are so numerous – they can
I have been with Arnelia Farms for eight be used as a spice, dried, cooked, pickled What was SANA’s feedback after you
years now, and am fully responsible for the or as a very tasty sauce. For me, the best won the award?
propagation process. This entails ensuring version of them is Jalapeno poppers. They The chairman said: “You may be justifiably
that our mother stock is in good condition, also have fantastic health properties and proud of this incredible achievement! I have
our cuttings are taken at the right time, benefits and to top it off, are easy to grow! no doubt that you will continue to grow,
cared for in the greenhouse and the develop and prosper in our wonderful green
hardening off process. I also oversee the Does Arnelia specialise in proteas industry. Congratulations and well done!”
irrigation management in these areas and only, or have they introduced other
ensure that our rooted cuttings are export- plants? If only proteas, which ones? How did you feel after receiving the
ready. Arnelia is a specialist wholesale nursery, award, and what does it mean for
producing potted plants for sale to retail you going forward?
Have you specialised in any garden centres and landscapers in South I was ecstatic and humbled at having been
particular plants, or growing in Africa. We grow many different species and nominated and receiving this prestigious
general? cultivars of plants in the Proteaceae family, award, and have since been encouraged to
I’ve specialised in budding citrus trees and as well as a number of different Agathosma learn even more about the growing of plants
propagating Proteaceae. (Buchu), Chamelaucium (Geraldton Wax to improve myself. n

20 Landscape SA • Issue 123 2023