How produce growers can learn from floral operations

Tim Hionis, co-owner of Hionis Greenhouses, summarized the operation's three-decade history, started by Hionis' father and mother (Spiro and Angie) and now run by him and his three brothers (Pete, Spiro and Gerry).

"My parents started with a 1-acre greenhouse in 1985," he said. "We have now grown to two locations with a total of 15 acres under cover, producing a wide variety of products year round."

Kelsey Rose, sales at John Vena in Philadelphia, PA, found the Hionis Greenhouses operation remarkable.

"It's very impressive they've built such a large operation and stayed successful over the years, even surviving the struggles and being creative during COVID-19," she said. "The greenhouse plant and floral side is different from what I see in my produce job on a day-to-day basis."

Greater incorporation of the floral side of the produce business is an aim of the EPC.

"Floral and plants have become an increasingly important aspect of the produce department," said Susan McAleavey Sarlund, EPC Executive Director. "We want more floral entities increasingly involved with our organization and the various sectors of our industry. Visiting Hionis was part of this integration plan."

In addition to the plentiful fall mums inundating the entire facility, EPC participants viewed greenhouse operations for succulents, poinsettias, and tropicals. The operations also produce Easter flowering bulbs, spring bedding plants and annuals, and flowering baskets. Hionis explained the role of the operation's technology and particularly pointed out a new computerized robotic sticking machine used to plant un-rooted cuttings in seedling trays.

"This machine has been a lifesaver for us this past year with the labor shortage," he explained. "Without this machine, my brothers and I would have been here all night doing this work."

Hionis also talked about new marketing opportunities in greenhouse product.

"We are seeing increased demand for succulents," he said. "We also have started offering coffee plants which have become a novelty item. We offer a special shipper with them for retail to easily display."

In the afternoon, the class once again sat under the tutelage of Jacobsen as he covered how to master listening and feedback strategies. Jacobsen emphasized the importance of rapport in leadership and feedback and spent time discussing key aspects of subconscious behavior and body language.

"Research indicates 93% of all communication is non-verbal," he pointed out. "The best leaders must be tri-channel communicators, delivering effectively on all three levels - how you look, how you sound, and what you say."

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Source: Greenhouse Grower