Travel with Dave Gulliver – January: Paris-ky Business!

Owing to a preponderance of art, fashion and food Paris is renowned for its haughty culture, but what of its horticulture? This January AutoPot had to know. We sent European Accounts Manager and horticulture vulture Dave Gulliver to the French capital to find out. With his special set of skills and sartorial elegance Dave took to Paris like a duck to l’orange. In the course of his investigations Dave would call upon some truly splendid AutoPot retailers; some old, some new, some with pastries.

For a comprehensive appreciation of the Paris hydro scene Dave understandably made his first rendezvous Cyrille of AutoPot France. Not only did Cyrille provide invaluable services as a guide throughout but impressed mightily with the progress and scale of AutoPot France’s shop and distribution network. L’Or Vert, Cyrille’s very own store, is well established and in a bustling part of town. Standing as it does on the Rue Berthollet, L’Or Vert attracts a fascinating cross section of Parisian growers which means that news of the vast AutoPot range in store is bound to spread far and wide. The displays are exemplary and the staff are whip-smart.

Fellow French distributor Francois received Dave warmly at Culture Indoor’s duo of shops and their monumental warehouse. The Courtry branch is home to Culture Indoor’s storage facilities and Dave was a-quiver as he marvelled at the warehouse, tremulously running his fingers along the racking with his eyes closed. When he opened them again he found himself outside where he took great pleasure in the astounding outdoor AutoPot growing set ups there. The Culture Indoor shop attached to the warehouse is home to a great many AutoPot displays now supplemented by a bloody gorgeous FlexiTank Pro.

For the Culture Indoor shop in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés a pair of new displays were order of the jour. A great deal of time and thought has obviously gone into the shop layout so it was our great privilege to garnish the floor display and tent displays with 4Pot Systems. Special mention for the enthusiastic staff who are in raptures about the easy2Propagates coming their way soon.

 Kulture Sens in Saint-Clément proved an intriguing prospect for a beautiful, future relationship. This grandiose and well-planned shop has a discerning and well-heeled clientele who are big fans of the system. Dave had a tete-a-tete with owner Freddie about the range of mineral feeds that can be effectively used with AutoPot Systems including those of great friends CANNA, GHE, Mills and Plagron. In went a 4Pot and easy2grow 4 display and out went our hero on the next leg of his journey.

Responding to a special request Dave ventured further afield to Hydrolys in Savigny-le-Temple. The welcome there was exceptional, hospitality does not cover it, huge thanks go out to owner Sebastian who ensured there were plenty of friends, customers and pastries present for some Q&A. It really worked as an exchange of ideas as Dave learnt much of local growing techniques, particularly with regard to the 100% organic, guano diffusion range which is very popular in the area. The organics can be used with AutoPots when fed directly into the substrate with only water running through system itself. Delighted to say we’ll be returning the favour in welcoming Sebastian and his friends to the AutoPot Social this August.