New cyclamen series coming to FlowerTrials

For over a century, Morel has specialized in breeding cyclamen persicum in France. The company's story began in 1919 with Pierre Morel, who grew cyclamen, primroses, and vegetable seedlings at his nursery. Charles Morel, Pierre's son, joined his father and developed a passion for color selection. He gained international recognition by exchanging and selling cyclamen seeds. In the 1970s, his six sons took over the business and established greenhouses in Fréjus. Guy Morel modernized hybridization with the F1 method, leading to the creation of robust and unique varieties. Over 350 hybrids, spanning six series, were added to the catalog, ranging from mini cyclamens to large-flowered varieties.

In 2020, Evolem acquired a majority stake, with CEO Eric Beaude. In 2023, the Morel group strengthened its leadership in Cyclamen breeding with the acquisition of Kwekerij Koen, which has developed a wide range of varieties, including around 20 species of botanical cyclamen. This acquisition enabled the Morel Group to step up its approach as a passionate and responsible creator of varieties, and to take a practical approach to the creation of new varieties that are more tolerant of extreme climatic conditions and more economical in their production cycle.

Now, Morel Diffusion operates 6 hectares of glass and plastic greenhouses in Fréjus, on the Mediterranean coast of France. Seeds are exported to 40 countries while genetics are sold by their customers in 70 countries. The company supplies seed distributors and young plant propagators while engaging all market players, from growers to retailers, press, and consumers.

This year, Morel will again be participating at the FlowerTrials, where attendees can explore the company's breeding innovations and meet the people behind the plants.

The company will be exhibiting at Royal van Zanten, from 10 - 13 June 2025, 08:00 - 18:00 hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and from 08:00 - 15:00 on Friday.

At FlowerTrials, Morel will unveil its latest innovation, the Macaron® series. This new line features seven fantastic colors and two mixes, distinguished by their compactness, abundance of small leaves, and synchronized blooming patterns.

Q&A with Morel CEO Eric Beaude

What is Morel's vision?
"Morel plays a crucial role in innovating Cyclamen Persicum varieties, introducing 10 to 20 new varieties each year with a focus on both standard and specialty types. Major brands include the new series mini Macaron, minis Smartiz and Metis, mid-sized flowers Tianis and Midi+, and large flowered Latinia and Halios. Specialties like Indiaka, Petit Moulin, Absolu, the first scented Victoria cyclamen F1, and Curly enjoy worldwide recognition.

"Our breeding efforts enhance performance in terms of production uniformity, heat and high-light tolerance, reduced fertilizer requirements, and tolerance to cooler temperatures. Additionally, we work on improving the robustness of our varieties to ensure they withstand transportation and endure stressful conditions in stores and at the consumer's home. We engage all industry players and promote cyclamen through social media and PR campaigns."

Tell us about your research programs
"100% of our activities are dedicated to breeding and seed production in France. We are committed to responsible, local, and environmentally conscious production. Creating a new hybrid is not an overnight project; it typically takes 10 to 15 years of dedicated research to develop market-ready hybrids. This extensive process involves building parent lines and ensuring that the resulting plants are homogeneous and commercially viable.

"Our breeding process leverages the Mediterranean climate to select only the strongest parent lines, ensuring resilience in color, growth potential, and heat resistance. We collaborate with trial stations in France, Italy, Germany, and Japan to refine growing techniques."

Which novelties will you present at FlowerTrials?
"We will unveil our latest innovation, the Macaron series, a new line that features seven fantastic colors and two mixes, distinguished by their compactness, abundance of small leaves, and synchronized blooming patterns."

Eric says, "I'm particularly proud of the innovation behind Indiaka® Red — the very first bicolored cyclamen of its kind on the market. We've also made it easier for growers to choose the right varieties with our Métis® North and South mixes, specifically designed to adapt to different climate conditions."

The company will also present its range of botanical cyclamen, known for their exceptional hardiness and frost resistance, as well as Hellebores. These innovative varieties align perfectly with our commitment to environmental responsibility and the promotion of sustainable practices.

Macaron
Macaron is Morel's newest micro-sized Cyclamen series that is now available in separated colors and mixes for summer till autumn cultivation. With its compact shape, vibrant colors, and irresistible charm, this mini Cyclamen draws inspiration from the beloved French pastry: the macaron.

What makes the Macaron series special is its status as the most compact of the Mini cyclamen series, offering highly uniform and easy cultivation. Genetically compact, it is perfect for small pot sizes and is both early and floriferous, providing plenty of bright, long-lasting blooms. It also boasts excellent growth performance even in high temperatures, with vivid colors that enhance its appeal.

Macaron is available in seven colors—Red, Pure White, Persian Rose, Rose Bengal, Rose Shades, Magenta, and Purple—along with two expertly curated mixes, North Mix and South Mix.