The Dutch Lily Days will be held for the tenth time this year, after skipping two editions. About thirteen companies, which together account for the lion's share of the worldwide breeding and trading of lily bulbs, will welcome their customers and suppliers at the various locations.
Xiaoxue christens the new lily
And there are plenty of visitors, as a short tour shows. Only the usual visitors from Asia are not present, due to the strict entry and exit rules that still apply to many of these countries. Companies indicate that they are continuously welcoming visitors and in many cases also share a look behind the scenes online via social media (see for example the Facebook page of the organisation).
Jelle Riel, area export manager at Royal van Zanten, with Lucky Angel, a new double-flowered Oriental.
The breeder is at the forefront of breeding pollen-free varieties, one can (literally) fill a whole showhouse with them
During the enforced 'break', the breeding work did not come to a halt. There are innovations and novelties to report in different areas: better resistances, bigger flowers, a larger (or not double) colour palette, etc. In particular, steps are being taken in two sub-categories: the range of double-flowered varieties is steadily increasing, while the range of pollen-free lilies is also growing.
Robert van der Hulst, sales manager at C. Steenvoorden BV from Lisse
The company opened this new greenhouse a few years ago. There is a fantastic view from the balcony
The opening was last Tuesday at VWS Flowerbulbs in Broek op Langedijk. Here, a new white OT Unity, refined by VWS, was christened by TikTok star Xiaoxue, a Chinese girl with 1.7 million followers and who happens to live in the same village. Singer Linda Meester also provided the musical entertainment (the official opening acts can be seen here).
The Dutch Lily Days is held at 13 different companies, namely P. Aker, Van den Bos Flowerbulbs, Bot Flowerbulbs, De Jong Lelies, Lily Company, Onings Holland, C. Steenvoorden, GAV's Lilies, Gebr. Vletter & Den Haan, VWS Flowerbulbs, World Breeding, Zabo Plant and Royal Van Zanten. The trials can still be visited today.
More information about the Dutch Lily Days can be found here.