In December, the Christmas star is one of the most popular plants. At the most he is, however, only a few weeks in Advent are a fraction of the time he formerly spent in greenhouses. Alone the Pull of the cuttings on the mother plant needs a few weeks in East Africa, even in the case of stars, derived according to the Label “From the Region”.
“is The care of mother plants is very labor-intensive; you have about two weeks-old shoots are cut, which are then sent to the breeding in Switzerland,” Melanie Dürr of the Max Havelaar. By plane you arrive in Switzerland. Here you will be cared for initially run for four weeks in young plants until you have enough trained roots.
Then you come in nurseries, where they are potted and, while up to sixteen weeks for sale size grow. Finally, the red, white or pink petals form during five to six weeks. This only happens however, when the nights are longer than days or if with a darkening foil artificial short created days. Overall, it takes nearly thirty weeks until the plants end up in the Shop.
Sustainable, or regional?
In the case of Migros, the Christmas run star primary under the label “From the Region. For the Region”. Even when the young plants come from Africa, and even partially fair trade-certified, as a spokesman for Migros said. “We place the focus of the competition on the Region and Switzerland.” Because of the large part of the culture duration, the Plant is located in Switzerland.
This Christmas star could also bear the Suisse-guarantee-Label, it should be from a young plant in Switzerland, cultivated, explains Othmar Ziswiler from the gardener-entrepreneur Association, Jardin Suisse. How do the cuttings does not play a role.
Coop refers to the Christmas star, among other things, of the Farm Wagagai in Uganda.
Coop, however, 90 percent of the Christmas star marketed this year under the Fairtrade Label. “We place great value on sustainable production,” says a spokeswoman. Therefore, Coop was looking for ways to expand the range of Fairtrade-Max-Havelaar-plants and to improve the working conditions in the countries of origin.
The retailer refers to the Christmas star, among other things, of the Farm Wagagai in Uganda. The 2300 employees, there is even more than the Havelaar-Label prescribing: you will get 4,5 Euro cents per cutting in addition. The farm operator does not want to pay more than the minimum wage, because this allows the workers to attach, for example, money for Contingencies to the side.
Not just
throw away is Important for Fairtrade farms, especially continuous customers, only the certification is worth it for you, and also the employees can adjust to the better pay and working conditions. According to Coop, the Christmas star to a long-term commitment. The poinsettias, however, are disposable goods. After the holidays, most end up in the waste or compost. “The shelf life of poinsettias depends on the care,” said the Coop’s spokesperson. Max Havelaar is recommended, with a little water in the Cup until next year to get through.
Created: 09.12.2019, 08:29 PM
