"Cymbidiums are a time consuming investment"

He is an institution in America and not just for his well-known packing boxes. Preferred Supplier Peet Zwink is a true expert when it comes to Cymbidiums and develops his own new varieties. “Wait until ‘Kiss me, Kate’ is available on the market,” he winks, “you’ll love her.”

Peter Zwinkels, which is his full name – ‘Peet Zwink is much easier pronounced abroad’ – grins and explains how he came up with this variety’s name: “My wife is called Kitty. The shape of the bloom and especially its lip is just as attractive as hers. So ‘Kiss me, Kate’ was just the perfect name for it!”

Reels
The greenhouse of the Preferred Supplier is filled with lush, green palm-like bushes that produce colourful branches of Cymbidiums. Peter: “The reels and ropes are there to support the stems making them grow straight upwards. It improves the quality of the flowers and limits the damage caused by friction.”

Mokorua or Forty Niner?
One plant can produce multiple branches of flowers and will develop new shoots once the matured stems are cut. “This one here has already produced 81 stems” says Peter and points to a cluster of reels. In the meantime, FleuraMetz buyer Marco Hooijmeijer has spotted his favourite colour in the next aisle, “This is Mokorua! Look at that shade of green, it’s just stunning.” Peter points out the Forty Niner, which is hugely popular in America. “Also a green variety and as strong as a horse. It’s actually called differently but people are so used to its current name, it’s impossible to turn that around now.”

Transparency
It takes years before Cymbidiums are ready for cutting. Peter: “I would love to be at my customers’ command however, these flowers do not grow overnight. It’s a time consuming investment. Sometimes I wonder why it seems so hard to order in advance. Working with FleuraMetz however, gives me transparency and interaction.”

Marco adds: “Not only is Peet Zwink a reliable business partner, he offers high quality products, he also thinks ahead of the game. We are currently growing in the American market, he knows the American florists well. He on the other hand, is growing in Germany and we know the German florists well. This is how you support one another.” Peter agrees: “Together we can offer tailored products to different target groups.”

For more information:
FleuraMetz
www.fleurametz.com

Peet Zwink
Peter Zwinkels
Hoefweg 11
2678 KK De Lier
Netherlands
T: +31 (0) 174 513672
E: info@peetzwink.nl
www.peetzwink.nl