"Once known as the 'lettuce kings', Stolk Flora has long established itself as Phalaenopsis specialist"

Once known as the 'lettuce kings', Stolk Flora has long established itself as a Phalaenopsis specialist. Rightly so, as the Stolk family has been setting the standard in greenhouse horticulture for a century. Whether it is cultivating top-quality Phalaenopsis or introducing sustainable innovations in the cultivation process, Jan Stolk knows exactly what is required to future-proof his products. More than enough reason for Anthura to talk to this grower.

© Anthura B.V.

Could you introduce yourself?
"My grandfather, Jan, the original 'lettuce king' of South Holland, had an extraordinary eye for detail. The lettuces he grew were of the highest quality, with no brown edges. He would even check on his crops at night. It's a level of dedication that runs through our family. My father Henk and his brothers continued the tradition, each with their own role. When I finished school, I joined my father and mother in the business. We started out with peppers and grew flowers in the winter. This is where I learned a lot about growing in substrate, as previously we had always cultivated our crops in open ground."

How did you end up growing orchids?
"In 1997, meristem propagation (cloning) of Phalaenopsis was introduced. This was a revolutionary step as it enabled the programmed cultivation of orchids. We started with 20,000 plants, all planted by hand. For two years, we also grew Cymbidiums before stopping pepper production altogether. After acquiring land in the town of Bergschenhoek, we started building. I was among the first to introduce water-cooled cooling systems there. Thanks to this technology, I was one of the few able to supply plants for Christmas following the notorious heatwave of 2003. These kinds of innovations have made a real difference."

© Anthura B.V.Different Phalaenopsis varieties from Stolk Flora's range.

What factor do you consider the most important when growing Phalaenopsis?
"Technology. Phalaenopsis is a decidedly technical crop. We started with light trials using power from a diesel generator. It soon became clear that this was essential for successful cultivation, especially during the darker months. In 2007, I built my dream nursery in Bleiswijk, where we pioneered new cultivation methods and technology. We have weathered good and bad times, but consistently delivering top quality is always our first priority. My ambition is to create something truly beautiful—that's what drives me."

What is your company's current structure?
"Stolk Flora is a family business with clearly defined departments and responsibilities. We continue to invest in sustainability, for instance, by using paper trays and clips—this helps us save tonnes of plastic each year. We also use cardboard tray sleeves. Each store now has a paper recycling bin, so everything can be recycled."

How do you get your staff on board with your sustainability mission?
"By emphasising respect for the planet, respect for people and producing beautiful plants—this is our mission. We have displayed this as a banner in the greenhouse since 2013. And if any of our staff faces hardship or illness, we do everything we can to support them. That's just part of our culture."

© Anthura B.V.

What do you think has driven Stolk Flora's century of success?
"I believe it's a combination of attention to quality, lifelong learning and the courage to innovate. We aim to stand out but always remain grounded. Sustainability plays an increasingly significant role in our business. One example is the 'Grown 100% Green' project that I'm actively involved in. I'm pleased to be able to share my experiences in this fantastic project, as I believe that collaboration drives progress. Suppliers, too, are now working together to make advancements. We are becoming increasingly aware that using chemical crop protection agents is unsustainable. By 2030, we hope to no longer have to use them at all. It used to be a given—if there was a problem, you simply picked a product from the shelf. Now, we continuously look for alternatives that are better for people and the environment."

© Anthura B.V.

How do you see the company's future?
"We will keep developing, and innovation will continue to play a key role—as will collaboration. Anthura will always be a reliable partner in this respect. Since 2011, I have been regularly visiting Anthura to see what's blooming there. In 2022, we started full collaboration with Anthura. This has brought significant benefits, particularly in terms of efficiency and trust. As long as we continue to respond to market demands and listen to customers, I see every opportunity for us to grow together."

What advice would you give the next generation of growers?
"Cultivating plants is not only a profession; it's a way of caring for your product, your surroundings and the people around you. My advice is to remain curious, always consider your impact and dare to go for quality. If you do, you can truly make a difference—for yourself and for others."