Netherlands: Increasing popularity for frost resistant gerberas

There are gerberas in many colors, types, sizes, in cut flowers and pot plants for inside and outside. And many more every year. "With cut flowers it is not only about new, unique colors and color combinations, but also increasing the production, a longer vase life, stalk firmness, shape and disease resistance. There are other developments for pot plants: the garden gerber is a recent 'discovery' and we are working for a longer shelf life and uniformity."

Martine van Went, in a show greenhouse during the FlowerTrials.

"The company is one of the biggest on the market, breeding and increasing the gerberas," says Martine van Went, marketing manager at Florist. During the FlowerTrials the company showed visitors a large collection of plants: large and small types, gerberas out of seed and tissue breed and different types of cut flowers and potted plants. "We have four leading segments in cut flowers," says Van Went: "regular, mini, pomponi and piccolini. The potted plants have the difference of inside and outside plants. Flori Line is our kind of seed for potted plants. It's known for the shiny colors and bi colors. Sundaysz seed is for compact plants with double flowers, suitable for terraces and balconies. And of course the frost resistant garvinea seed, it blossoms from early spring until winter time."

A florist made these recordings with a special drone during the FlowerTrials

Garvinea
The garvinea is special. The company have won different awards for it since 2009. "It worked to make a new strong, disease resistant and frost resistant type of gerbera. You can't compare it with the regular Gerbera jamesonii. The genetic material is way different than known types on the market. Garvinea is still in development so our expectations are high. This year, Florist Holland will bring the new generation garvinea's on the market. These types have a bigger flower and polychrome colors. Florist offers this season a new type of starting material for grower and retailer."

Market
The market is mostly Dutch, but also Italy and Japan breed gerberas. The important increasing part finds place at KF Bioplants in India, the joint venture between Florist Holland B.V. and Kumar Group. "KF Bioplants features top facilities to produce quality products and a fast and efficient way for Florist Holland to provide for the world market."

New construction
Florist has some news. They will build 1 ha extra at Dwarsweg in Aalsmeer in the future. "We have a lack of space. We need this area to optimize our activities, win efficiency and cut costs." The expected delivery is around spring 2016 and the production location will have a total of 5,5 ha.

For more information:
Florist Holland BV
Martine van Went
Dwarsweg 15
1430 AA Aalsmeer
T: +31 (0)297 328229
M: +31 (0)6 517 594 79
E: martineW@gerbera.com
www.gerbera.com