In the spotlights
During the Trade Fair in November 2019 Jaap Vreeken, from nursery Vreeken Bouvardia, introduced his new pure white Bouvardia. A new variety, with a high potential in the niche market. A good reason for the FloraPodium to visit this enthusiastic grower again. This week in the spotlights; Bouvardia "White Sensation".
Family business
Nursery Vreeken Bouvardia, a real Bouvardia family in heart and soul. Jaap, the fourth generation, has been cultivating this surprising, versatile flower together with father Krijn for 30 years. Passion, craftsmanship and the wishes of the customer is their motivation.
White Sensation
Jaap is progressive and always looking for something new. The White Sensation was originally a potplant variety that accidentally came across. Jaap's curiosity immediately aroused about the length of the stems. He decided to test the species at the nursery and this turned out surprisingly well.
White Sensation is a single-flowered Bouvardia, which is characterized by its large screens. Because of the open structure of the screens, all the single flowers have the space to fully open of no less than 2.5 centimeters.
The White Sensation is harvested a little more mature. This gives the stem more nutrition from the plant and this definitely improves shelf life.
Valentine
Due to the size of the flower, the Bouvardia can really be seen. This type no longer needs to be put away as a filler. Because of its pure white flowers, it is a true eye-catcher in a bouquet and gives a nice contrast to the classic red Valentine rose. These beautiful, uniquely shaped delicate flowers open one by one in the vase.This is very well translated back into a tender infatuation, which develops into a passionate relationship. A romantic story of a lovely flower for a romantic day.
Care
The Bouvardia drinks a lot! The flower can be processed on oasis, but because they drink so much, they quickly lack water on oasis. If they do not have to stay in oasis for too long, such as with funeral arrangements, the Bouvardia often remains very beautiful. If the flower has to stay beautiful for longer, it is very important that the oasis is kept very wet.
Cut the stem diagonally with a clean, sharp knife. Remove the lower leaves from the stem, making sure the leaves do not come into contact with water. Use a clean vase with cold water and the correct concentration of cut flower food. Mix the food well with the water.
Cut flower food is indispensable for the Bouvardia !!!
Avoid direct sunlight and drafts.
The cultivation
The Bouvardias from Vreeken are distinguished by top quality and excellent durability. Jaap wants to focus even more on exclusivity and niche types. By working even more with florists and wholesalers, Jaap wants to distinguish itself even more from the masses. Jaap has switched from cultivation bags to bushes in pots, which are distributed in the cultivation gutters. This allows the crop to be replaced quickly and regularly. This allows him to respond quickly and effectively to the market.
From cutting to flower
The Bouvardia comes from the subtropical regions of North and Central America, mainly Mexico. The Bouvardia is a so-called "short day" plant. This means that the flower bud develops when there is less than 12 hours of light. The day length is influenced by darkening and lighting up the greenhouses.
When the plant enters the greenhouse, the plant receives a lot of light for about 18 hours a day for the first five weeks. This makes the plant produce leaves and stems.
After these five weeks, the number of hours is reduced to less than 12 hours a day. This ensures that the plant creates the bud. The plants need another week or five before they can be harvested.
The bed is emptied in one week. After this, the bush is pruned back and the whole process starts again.
The shrub will be replaced between two and three years.
MPS-A
Vreeken Bouvardia is affiliated with the Sierteeld Environmental Project and is MPS-A qualified. Vreeken uses biological crop protection as much as possible and reuses the water that is given to the plants. Vreeken considers care for the environment important and is always looking for new sustainable developments that can be applied in their nursery.
FloraPodium, 23 January 2020
Video
The nursery
Inspiration
