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.
Latest from Greenhouse Management
- Millennium Pacific Greenhouses launches California Grown Cucumber Program
- Scientists develop vitamin A-enriched tomato to fight global deficiency
- Tennessee Green Industry Field Day scheduled for June 11
- UTIA and UT Knoxville research teams will develop automated compost monitoring system
- Ken and Deena Altman receive American Floral Endowment Ambassador Award
- [SNEAK PEEK] Leading Women of Horticulture: The women of Fairview Greenhouses & Garden Center
- [SNEAK PEEK] Leading Women of Horticulture: The inventive women of TPIE ’26
- Growing successful spring crops with Topflor
