In our last trip to China in October, we travelled west from Qingdao to Gansu province to investigate organic apple production. Our flight took us into Lanzhou, a region that is strikingly dry and mountainous. From there, we drove to Longnan, where densely wooded mountains rise sharply and deep ravines cut through the landscape.
Exploring Organic Apple Production Read More »
We’ve just returned from an insightful visit to China, and we’re thrilled to begin with some truly exciting news.
Our Factory has achieved BRC Grade A!
Through continuous improvement and dedication to the Kaizen philosophy, our factory has officially achieved BRC Grade A certification, a milestone we are incredibly proud of.
It’s hard to believe a year has passed since my first trip to China, and returning in May 2025, I was struck by both the familiar and the new. Once again, we had the opportunity to visit our organic strawberry farms and factory, observe the shifting economic landscape, and immerse ourselves in the rich traditions
Returning to China – May 2025 Read More »
The peach has a storied past, originating in China over 4,000 years ago. It was prized in ancient Chinese culture, symbolizing immortality and unity. The fruit’s journey to the West is believed to have occurred via the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that connected the East and West. Traders carried peaches from China through
David and I travelled to China last month, in main part to work with the Dragons Garden factory management on a program of improvements for 2025. Before travelling to Shandong we had the opportunity to visit Gansu province. The geographic centre of China is in Gansu and the province then stretches out towards the northwest,
Raspberry cultivation in Gansu Read More »
Dr Wang, Ynyr, David, Mr Han, Kirby, Dr Pan A Glimpse into plant tissue propagation On our last trip to China, we had the pleasure of visiting Dr. Pan and Dr. Wang, plant tissue specialists with over a decade of experience in orchid tissue culture. Their work, shaped by 11 years of research in Japan,
A Glimpse into plant tissue propagation Read More »
A big focus for us this year is our environmental performance at Dragons Garden. We are continuing to strive towards achieving a zero ecological footprint by conserving, restoring and replacing the natural resources we use in our operations. Our most recent investment is solar panels, which now cover the entire roof of one of our
Spotlight on Green Read More »
Last month we harvested a good crop of strawberries from our organic farm blocks in China. The winter had been benign with adequate rainfall. This led to a discussion on how worldwide weather was changing and we wondered whether the normal cold dry winters in north China might be moderating. Kirby, our China Managing Director,
The Great Green Wall of China Read More »
Recently I had the opportunity to embark on a fascinating work trip to China, where I visited our joint venture’s growing and processing operation near the coastal city of Qingdao, in Shandong province. Along with several business meetings we visited a plant tissue culture lab, an electric truck depot, met with local government, and visited
China: My First Impressions Read More »
Recently we visited Bodnant Gardens about half an hour’s drive away from our office in North Wales. Bodnant is a true national treasure; it owes much of its beauty to the Victorian-age plant collectors who brought back rhododendron, wisteria, magnolia, gentian, primulas, lily and azalea plant material from China. Characters like Ernest “Chinese” Wilson were
Fruit-full China, with a spotlight on kiwifruit Read More »
