'A good year across the board'

"Most industry connections we heard from said they had a positive and exciting 2017, as we did here at Fleurizon", he says. The assortment of Fleurizon ranges from commodities to extraordinary and (sub) tropical plants and according to De Greef, new and existing products, from Petunia to Plumeria and from Calibrachoa to Grace (Brand new) Begonias were in demand across many regions. We shipped many products worldwide and for some product line we couldn’t fulfill the demand from our customers. The market was very good, from our customers’ perspective, and ours as a broker."


Bearded Dianthus

Some new, some old products kept them at Fleurizon very excited and engaged with the grower market. De Greef starts with a describing one of its good 'old product'; the Bearded Dianthus from Japan. "We have this product in our assortment about 8 years, as seed and also as plugs. It is an eye catcher, with its crazy flower form and super bright colors. Its plant shape in a pot needs some work, but, the colors combined with wild flower form keep demand increasing each year. The market has been positive, it’s a reliable impulse buy for consumers."


‘Grace’ Begonia

In totally new products, De Greef highlights the ‘Grace’ Begonia. "It has innovative Begonia genetics, bred with grower inputs in mind. A hanging basket can be filled with less starter plants, a great cost savings for growers. Great colors and excellent grower performance. This is how we are looking towards products for 2018, beautiful eye-catching products with great grower performance."


Ophiopogon nigrescens

Also the Ophiopogon nigrescens has quickly gained traction in the market. It is a hardy plant that they get from many corners in the world. "Since the globe is round I even don’t know how we at Fleurizon find the corners, but anyway it is a very hardy plant, in the deepest shade of black."


Plumeria Rainbow Star and Tri-tip Plumeria

What about Plumeria? "Many of us see this in tropical climates on vacation or if you are living in the tropics. Many colors exist, but, the key is to have selected or bred the very best of the best colors. The relation consumers have to these (and many plants) is the happy feeling they link to great vacation memories. As a major bonus, the flowers even smell nice. We have started to ship tri-tip Plumeria (no, not for the barbeque this time). For our growers, this gives a nicer fuller pot." 


Haworthia Big Band cuttings

Another product that cannot be missed in De Greef's list is the Haworthia. "It is a buzz in succulents, especially as Echeverias and Crassula are getting to be the more common succulents and the market moves towards the more different and difficult (= slower growing) succulents. Haworthia is one of these and they are great plants. Various forms and stripe patterns are offered. For 2017 Fleurizon was sold out in Haworthia."


Albuca spiralis

And when staying in the succulent segment, the Albuca spiralis is doing very well. "It was an idea of one of our customers to give a free Albuca spiralis bulb when their clients order a certain quantity of plants online. This little corkscrew plant (sorry you can’t open the wine bottle with it) is a great success in succulent markets, mail-order companies and similar large niche markets. A strong plant with its curling foliage, Albuca also flowers, producing a lovely scent."


Opuntia microdasys

The unfriendly looking spines of the cactus do not seep to keep the consumers or growers from asking for more and more plant material. "These little spiny pleasures are protected plants when growing in nature and subject to CITES. As such, it can be complicated to ship even greenhouse grown plants worldwide (clearly, we only sell these products grown in greenhouses by authorized growers). We have started to ship Opuntia microdasys. Other cactus we ship as well, but as seed. This market is picking up at a fast pace for us."


Fleurizon's field of Aloe vera for cutting production

And then…. Aloe vera, that works for sunburn. "This is a great succulent and always a good seller. As it’s so well known, Aloe vera has been available in different formats and qualities. We have made it our job to find the best suppliers and ship only top quality starter material of this product."


Tillandsia tectorum 25 cm wide plants, and flower.

And last but not least, the Tillandsia tectorum. "During our trips we found the most spectacular Tillandsia - not easy to find and only available in small quantities so far - Tillandsia tectorum. A beautiful plant what shows how nature and Christmas blend in together: a shining star in the plant world."