"The season has only just started three weeks ago, and we're already in full swing with deliveries," says Bas van Dam of Piece of Jungle. Across a few thousand square meters rented from a Dutch nursery, namely Westkaab, he cultivates his pride and joy: Caladiums XL. These large, vibrant potted plants are destined for garden centers, DIY stores, and—most recently—the shelves of a major supermarket chain.
Bas van Dam
Beautiful mix for Mother's Day
"We supply the largest caladiums on the market," says Bas. "They are in large pots and have a high ornamental value, there's a color for everyone. Around Mother's Day, especially the pink and red shades do well, but I always ensure a beautiful mix. And in terms of price, a caladium is comparable to a bouquet, only you enjoy it for at least five months."
In addition to the caladiums, he also has a few Colocasias, but those are very exclusive for specialists and collectors.
Bright pink plant in the jungle
Growing caladiums is not easy, so how did Bas came up with the idea? "From 2017 to 2021, I worked at PostNL on an e-commerce platform for flowers and plants. My customers were always looking for the most colorful plants. During a vacation in Sri Lanka - to take a break from work - I saw a bright pink plant in the jungle near the hostel, a caladium. I immediately sent photos to customers and received enthusiastic responses. The rest of the vacation, I was only focused on that."
Bas decided to quit his job and, with the help of his father - also a grower - he started cultivating. "Now, four years later, we're producing around 40,000 pots a year," he says. "It's a full-time job for two people, and starting next week, my uncle will be lending a hand too. He just wrapped up his ranunculus season, so now he's coming to toil alongside his nephew," Bas adds with a laugh.
Expensive bulbs
The last orders are scheduled for the end of June. "During the summer holidays, no one thinks about buying plants, so our season runs until week 25." From bulb to sale-ready plant takes 12 to 18 weeks, so it's important to plan well.
Although demand is increasing - especially in France around Mother's Day, but also more and more in Germany and the Netherlands - the price of bulbs poses a challenge. "If those costs go down, the product will become more accessible to a broader audience."
Trust in the grower
Bas adds that Caladiums don't always have the best reputation. "During the COVID peak, some inexperienced growers entered the market, which led to disappointing results and shook retailers' trust," he explains. "That's why I always invite them to visit the nursery and make sure to send samples. Once they see the quality, they're usually convinced right away—and that often leads to a big order."
"Growers who focus on mass production and minimal labor usually don't choose Caladiums," he explains. "That gives me the space to really specialize. What makes me especially happy is the strong commercial demand. Now the challenge is to make cultivation smarter, more efficient, and better organized—so we can keep making a good living while enjoying the work in the years to come."
For more information:
Bas van Dam
Piece of Jungle
06 36 29 64 31
[email protected]