Netherlands: Bouvardias grown with passion

With a grandfather and father, who were both growers at heart, it is only natural that the passion for the trade is passed on to their offspring. That’s why the fourth generation is currently running the business at Vreeken Bouvardia. We take you behind the scenes at the biggest bouvardia nursery in The Netherlands.

Vreeken Bouvardia is currently working on expansion of their greenhouse and product range. As from 2016, the nursery will cover 12 acres of land and hold 6 different varieties of bouvardia in: white, coral, violet and 3 shades of pink. The greenhouse is completely designed to accommodate the growing cycle of this ‘short day plant’. The buds develop only with 12 hours or less sunlight a day, which means artificial lighting and darkening is required. Tineke Vreeken tells us that the greenhouse is divided in different sections, which can be lit separately. “With the use of artificial lighting, the flowers and stems can be grown in the correct way.”

Own pace
At Vreeken Bouvardia, the crop gets time to develop. The bushes where the flowers grow on, will stay in the greenhouse for about 3 years. Nothing is being forced, the plants go through the process of harvest, cut down and growing new stems at their own pace. “We aim for quality using an uniform approach!” In the greenhouse, varieties with the same growing process are put together. The growing schedule including lighting, watering and addition of food is tuned in to create the perfect bouvardia.

Fun fact
The bouvardia is named after Charles Bouvard, court physician of Lodewijk XIII and head of the Jardin du Roi in Paris. The high end look of this extraordinary flower was already noticed in the 17th century at the French court!

Source: FleuraMetz