Michel Jongenelen is a specialist in fertiliser dosing and has a mechanical solution for every specific situation in the tree nursery industry. At trade fair GrootGroenPlus, the entrepreneur will showcase his most significant achievement: the Topdresser XL. However, Jongenelen also has other innovations that optimise fertiliser application in open soil, pots, cutting trays, and seed trays. source: Ralf Pijnenburg

After a career in fertilisers for nursery products, Jongenelen formally started his business nearly five years ago, which operates under two trade names: Jongenelen Plants and Agrarische Handelsonderneming Jongenelen. The latter focuses on delivering, building, and modifying machines for fertiliser application in various specific crops. Jongenelen worked for several years at DCM Netherlands as a soil consultant and business developer. During this time, he recognised the needs of nurserymen. This led him to connect with Gerard Dekkers, the owner of Dekkers Boomkwekerij in Hoeven. At the time, this tree nursery was using a simple osmocote dispenser to add additional substances to a substrate. "However, Dekkers also wanted to work with DCM products and was looking for a machine that could dose multiple fertilisers simultaneously," says Jongenelen. "I discovered that other parties had the same wish. This inspired me to develop the Topdresser XL. This machine distributes fertilisers onto the potting soil per plant, significantly improving flexibility, efficiency, and technology."

Topdresser XL

The Topdresser XL is the flagship of Agrarische Handelsonderneming Jongenelen. This machine can dose and apply all granular and coated fertilisers, artificial fertilisers, and organic fertilisers into pots with a minimum pot size of 1.5 litres. Jongenelen is confident that this machine will captivate the senses of visitors at GrootGroenPlus. "Last year, I brought the Topdresser XL to the trade fair for the first time," he says. "And it resulted in several very interesting orders." To make fertilisers work optimally, they need to be applied together on a pot, according to the entrepreneur. "The fact that this machine can apply different substances simultaneously has proven to be a hit," he notes. "There are now about ten of these machines successfully operating in the Netherlands and Belgium at various companies in the tree nursery industry: think of hydrangea growers, orchid growers, and forest and hedge plant growers. For example, Dekkers Boomkwerkerij can now apply up to four fertilisers simultaneously thanks to the Topdresser XL. This dosing is very precise and can be optimally adjusted for each fertiliser. Additionally, the machine has a high capacity and is easy to move."

Fielddresser XL

As mentioned, the Topdresser XL is the showpiece within the range of Agrarische Handelsonderneming Jongenelen, but the owner has more irons in the fire. For instance, he has also developed the Fielddresser XL, which is ideal for cultivating young plant stock. The Fielddresser XL is suitable for cutting trays, seed trays, P9 pots, or other smaller-sized pots. "The machine doses the fertilisers over the pots," says Jongenelen, "and does so computer-controlled. This means there is a high degree of accuracy. Moreover, you have the continuous ability to automatically adjust and increase or decrease the dosage." The Fielddresser XL comes in two variants: one with a pneumatic spreading box and one with a manual spreading box. According to Jongenelen, not every company in the industry is willing to work with a computer. "Additionally, the machine with a manual spreading box is slightly cheaper," he says.

Spreaders

Jongenelen offers something for every company in the industry. For example, he also points out his spreaders for planting or sowing machines. These machines are suitable for dosing microgranules or fertiliser granules during planting or sowing. "This can be done inside the machine itself, or in front of the machine," says Jongenelen. "The spreaders can be used to apply starter phosphate in the spring when the soil temperature is low." Jongenelen can supply several brands of spreaders, but his main brand is APV. This supplier offers a wide range of granulate and fertiliser spreaders, which align well with his business activities.

Pneumatic row fertilisation machines

Finally, Jongenelen highlights his pneumatic row fertilisation machines, for which APV also supplies the main components. These machines distribute fertilisers over three beds simultaneously. "The machine applies artificial fertiliser or microgranules along the plant row, allowing the plants to efficiently absorb these substances," explains Jongenelen. "You have less runoff since the row fertiliser does not scatter substances along the tractor and row paths." His row fertilisation machines are suitable for open soil and are specially designed to distribute fertiliser as evenly as possible over the plant rows. "No fertilisers are wasted," concludes Jongenelen. "This proves that we can supply the right machine for every spot where a fertiliser granule is needed."