In 1989, Feiko started with his brother in the greenhouse of his parents, but soon the limits were reached there, and in that same summer he bought a greenhouse of over 6000m2. This greenhouse, filled with asters, is where he learned the trade. Because he could not breed asters year-round, he wanted something else in the winter and spring. That is why he began cultivating Celosia Plumosa in 1994. Through fellow growers he heard that this celosia would be no longer than 50cm at the auction around April. Proudly Feiko says that in his first year he had flowers of 55cm and the second year he had some that were 70cm. "Then his love for celosia started to grow," says Feiko.
After he had to sell his greenhouse due to the construction of houses, he was without a greenhouse for a year. Simply because there was no suitable greenhouse where Feiko wanted to continue growing celosia. "And what doesn't feel good, you shouldn't do." In 2001, he bought his current greenhouse. In this greenhouse, he cultivated another round of chrysanthemums that were part of the purchase of the greenhouse, but soon it became clear that celosia was really his number one product. Currently, he grows celosia from week 2 to week 38/39 and around week 39 he shifts to chrysanthemums.
The Act Rima
Together with Peter Wubben he has made the Celosia Cristata Act a well-known product. They started with the Act Dara and the Act Enda. From this they distilled the Act Rima and the Act Inca, propagated them and managed to conquer the market with them. But what distinguishes him from the other breeders?
"I'm such a nice guy," Feiko jokes. But with his passion and enthusiasm and also the constant supply he tries to live up to this distinction. He does not handle all the bouquets himself, but he has seen them all! Also the good sorting of the flowers is a strong point. For example, you have flowers of 55 cm and 75 cm, that are also subdivided again into different classes.
Left the Zara, right the Verda
To supply color on the Naaldwijk and Aalsmeer auctions in the Netherlands is the most important for Feiko. To achieve this, he plants 2-3 times a week, to keep the trade stable. Also, the current greenhouse is set up in such a way that the climate can be controlled in 6 sections. This allows them to closely monitor the growth in the greenhouse. The cultivation of Celosias is not for everyone, because accuracy and knowledge are a prerequisite.
But that's not the only thing. Promotion and appearance is also something for which Feiko is doing his utmost best. That is why Facebook is an ideal platform for him to show his product. Because the beautiful flower is larger than the stem, the Celosia can easily be damaged during transport. To prevent this, he has developed cardboard collars, which at the auction is immediately recognised as the brand - Feiko Sonneveld.
Feiko is extremely excited about the growth characteristics of the new breed Act Verda. The Act Verda has beautiful flowers and an even thicker stem. In the future, he hopes that the other varieties will also get these characteristics. A beautiful challenge for the breeders!
Further information and pictures: Evanthia