Welcome back to another Evolve Flowers product focus. We pride ourselves on having a wealth of experts in our pocket, and our latest visit to Collisons Cut Flowers proved exactly why they are the ones to watch.
If you thought you knew tulip production, think again. Collisons is blending advanced hydroponic systems with precision soft robotics to create a sustainable future for British floristry. Here is a look behind the scenes at how they are changing the game.
From Bulb to Bloom: A High-Tech Journey
The journey begins at the tipper, where bulbs are fed onto a conveyor belt. The process starts with a bit of a "jiggle", a mechanical vibration that shakes off loose skins. This isn't just for a clean look; it makes the bulbs significantly easier for the automated systems to handle further down the line.
The real stars of the show are the robots. After a two-year journey from concept to installation, and a successful bid for government funding, Collisons has introduced a state-of-the-art automated handling area.
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Meet "Bob": The master robot who handles the heavy lifting and tray feeding.
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Meet the "Bobettes": The smaller, more agile robots working alongside Bob.
Using soft robotics, these machines handle delicate stems with a gentle touch that mimics human craftsmanship but with robotic consistency. This minimises waste and ensures that every tulip that reaches the glasshouse is of the highest quality.
Why Hydroponics Matters for the Future
Once processed, the bulbs move to the glasshouses, which span a staggering couple of acres at full capacity. However, you won’t find any soil here.
Collisons utilises a hydroponic approach, delivering nutrients directly through clean water. This isn't just innovation for the sake of it; it’s a practical response to a changing world. By moving away from traditional soil cultivation, they achieve:
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90% less land usage compared to conventional methods.
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Significantly reduced water consumption.
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Total environmental control, leading to healthier plants and superior vase life.
Managing a facility of this scale requires serious tech. Helen took a look at their visual mapping system, a remarkable piece of software that tracks the layout and logistics of the entire glasshouse in real-time. It’s a bird’s-eye view of a high-tech ecosystem.
Closing the Loop: A Circular Energy Approach
Perhaps the most impressive part of the Collisons story is what happens when the flowers are gone. They have embraced a circular energy approach that turns waste into power.
Used bulbs are routed to an anaerobic digestion plant, where they are converted into biogas. That gas is then burned to generate electricity, which helps power the very facility that grows the flowers. It’s a sustainable loop that ensures every part of the plant’s lifecycle contributes to the next.
Some bulbs are returned to bulb producers in Chile to be returned to the ground and grown on for future bulb production.
Dig into our Tulip Collection at British Flowers
Experience the Innovation: Discovery Days
This behind-the-scenes look at Collisons Cut Flowers is just the beginning. We are excited to announce a series of Discovery Days coming soon. These guided tours are a rare opportunity for professional florists, designers, and the "bot-curious" to see this pioneering work in person.
Attendees will gain insights into:
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The environmental benefits of hydroponic cultivation.
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How soft robotics is reshaping the future of floriculture.
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Best practices for sourcing sustainable, UK-grown flowers.
Stay tuned for dates and booking details. You won’t want to miss the chance to learn from one of the UK’s most innovative growers, brought to you exclusively by Evolve Flowers.
See my visit to Collisons Cut Flowers: