CLIMA+ 65 O - Finca El Saladar

Finca El Saladar Boosts Asian vegetables Production with Phormium CLIMA+ 65 O Screen

At Finca El Saladar, a family-owned farm located in El Perelló, Castellón (Spain), innovation and tradition go hand in hand.

Specializing in the Brassicas variety of Asian vegetables, which includes species like the Pak Choi, also known as chinese cabbage or bok choi, the farm has built a strong reputation as one of the main suppliers in the region over the last 15 years. 

Recently, a major step forward was taken with the installation of Phormium’s CLIMA+ 65 Open (O) climate screen over their 1.3-hectare greenhouse — and after a full year of use, the results are striking.

Sales manager Marta Gentile from Phormium, together with Pedro Díaz from Spanish greenhouse builder Invermed Levante (Invernaderos El Pilar), recently visited Finca El Saladar to see the installation firsthand and meet with one of the owners, Mr. Alfredo Martínez Corts which runs the company together with his brother Vicente. During the visit, Alfredo shared valuable feedback about their experience using the Phormium screen over the past 12 months.

Meeting the Complex Asian vegetables Varieties

Finca El Saladar’s production focuses on multiple Chinese salad species, each with specific and demanding growing requirements. As Alfredo explained, finding the right climate conditions in the greenhouse had always been a challenge — until the installation of the CLIMA+ 65 O screen. Thanks to the structure and properties of Phormium screens, they have finally achieved optimal growing conditions across all varieties.

Better Protection, Healthier Growth

The 65% shading degree and the use of diffused white tapes protect the plants especially during the delicate germination stage, preventing burning from high radiation. Vicente, one of the key team members at the farm, noticed significant improvements: crops grown under the CLIMA+ 65 O screen were healthier, more vigorous, and more uniform compared to those grown without screens or with other brands.

Another crucial advantage was that the seedlings maintained the correct humidity levels, avoiding dehydration — a frequent issue during early growth stages.

Temperature Control Year-Round

The performance benefits of the Phormium screen were evident across all seasons. Despite the open structure, closing the screens during the cooler months resulted in an internal temperature increase of 2-3°C. In contrast, during the intense summer heat, the combination of shading and the open design delivered a temperature drop of 5-7°C inside the greenhouse.

This improved climate control allowed Vicente to extend the production season by nearly two months. Previously, production had to stop at the end of May; now, thanks to the screen, harvesting can continue into late July. Additionally, crops are ready to harvest 15 to 20 days earlier than usual, providing a significant competitive edge.

A Rapid Return on Investment

After just one year of use, Vicente estimates that the investment in the Phormium CLIMA+ 65 O screen will be fully paid off within three to four years, thanks to the increased yield, extended season, and improved crop quality.

Growing Without Weather Limits

Another aspect highlighted during the visit was how Phormium screens have freed the farm from dependence on external weather conditions. Whether facing heatwaves, cold spells, or even harmful full moon nights that could stress the plants, the greenhouse now maintains a stable, crop-friendly environment year-round.

Looking Ahead

With such positive results, Vicente is already planning to install Phormium screens across the rest of Finca El Saladar’s greenhouses in collaboration with Invernaderos El Pilar.

At Finca El Saladar, tradition and technology are driving success — and with Phormium’s innovative climate screens, their future looks greener than ever.

Also read the article on Floraldaily- 1 May 2025: https://www.hortidaily.com/article/9728165/finca-el-saladar-boosts-asian...

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