Holtkamp Greenhouses expands to meet demand for African violets

Reinhold Holtkamp Jr. tells USA Today that 22 million African violets are sold in the U.S. annually and that his company accounts for about 70% of the wholesale market. The Nashville, Tenn., grower produces about 15 million plants, which includes finished plants, as well as starter plants that are sold to other growers.
Holtkamp Greenhouses, which has about a half-million square feet of greenhouse space, is expanding by 70,000 sq. ft. According to the newspaper, sales for the company rose 17% in 2008 and even higher to 22% last year. Holtkamp’s Optimara brand is sold in most major retailers, including Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Univ. of Fla. horticulture professor Terril Nell told the newspaper that Holtkamp “revolutionized African violets in the U.S.” Nell said the grower introduced plants that outperformed other varieties and that the Optimara line included an array of flower colors. The plants also perform well in both the home and office setting.