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News - 23-04-2025

Spring Felda Open Field Days 2025

Today kicks off our Spring Open Field Days event, two days dedicated to presenting our latest crop varieties at our research farm in Felda, FL. This spring, we are showcasing our advancements in squash, pickling cucumbers, melons, peppers, and cabbage.

One of the standout varieties in squash is Glowray RZ, a new yellow straightneck squash. This remarkable plant is designed for ease of harvest with its tidy growth habit and spineless nature. Glowray RZ is known for its upright growth habit, high yield and robust performance under challenging growing conditions, making it adaptable to all regions. In the realm of pickling cucumbers, Gershwin RZ takes center stage. This American-spined, seedless variety is suitable for both machine harvest and hand-picking, offering high yield potential and excellent fruit quality.

Our melon varieties stand out for their exceptional qualities and adaptability. Cayucos Beach RZ is a large aromatic Harper melon with an extended shelf life and good field standability. Its fully netted fruits have firm flesh and a small seed cavity. Another highlight is Chiriaco RZ, a dual-purpose honeydew melon with excellent flavor, high brix, strong plant coverage to protect against sunburn, and adaptability to various climates.

Specialty peppers such as Bolon RZ and Habib RZ are also featured. Bolon RZ is an early maturing long hot cayenne pepper with an open habit and good setting, even in harsh conditions, resulting in high yields. Habib RZ, a finger hot pepper, can be harvested green or red and offers excellent shelf life. The crop is generative with strong vigor, maintaining excellent fruit setting. Our cabbage varieties, Swingma RZ and experimental reds, are noteworthy for their versatility and quality. Swingma RZ is ideal for both fresh market and processing, with a short core and round shape.

Felda, Florida, is an ideal location for showcasing our varieties due to its challenging growing conditions, disease pressure, and climate. Our research farm provides multiple cycles per year, allowing us to screen and breed crops effectively. We are committed to expanding our facilities, including a new office building, conference, and lab spaces, to support our growing team and improve our research capabilities.

We are also proud to collaborate with the University of Florida, benefiting from their proximity and expertise in agricultural research. Looking ahead, we are open to welcoming semester interns to join us in our mission to advance agricultural practices and crop varieties.

Contact us learn more about the Felda Spring Field Days at contactusa@rijkzwaan.com.