In the spotlights
This week FloraPodium has paid a visit to a very special company called 'Hulst-Wiranda' which produces many different flowers on a small scale. According to Sjors (the grower) it all started as a ‘hobby that got out of hand'. His ultimate challenge has always being to surprise his customers with a nice product and that is why he enjoys looking for the most special varieties.
The company that belonged to his father was originally a flower bulb nursery, but when Sjors took over he gradually switched from the bulbs to the cut flower cultivation as this was more interesting to him. Nowadays Sjors, together with his wife Sandra take care of the cultivation of many kinds of cut flowers.
The name Wiranda is a clarification about which 'Van der Hulst' from Voorhout is spoken. There are many people in Voorhout with the name: Van der Hulst. Because of this, the nickname Wiranda is used.
The company is environmentally friendly and has a preference for biological pest control over the chemicals, in this way both humans and nature will benefit. That is why the first thing that strikes you when you walk into their nursery is to see Wagtails birds flying through and eating the undesired bugs from the crops. In the summer time hundreds of these birds fly through the greenhouse looking for a tasty snack. In addition, solar panels on the roof are used as a source of energy and plants are watered with rainwater.
Scabiosa, Dianthus, Dahlias, Alliums, Peonies, and Hyacinths to name a few are only a small selection from this company's assortment. Growing season products is a conscious choice for Sjors and Sandra as it is nice to have a change. Only small quantities of special products are grown.
Mother's Day is imminent in many countries and that is a good reason for the FloraPodium team to put the Myosotis (also known as “forget-me-not”) on the spotlight this week. The most common specie of Myosotis can be recognized by the blue sky color and its flowers, but as we mentioned earlier Sjors and Sandra are always looking for special varieties and that is why they don’t only grow this flower in the "ordinary" blue color but also in 3 other colors; White (Lana), white and blue (Wiranda) and blue with a bit of white (Blue Star).
The variety Blue Star is in the spotlights of this week as it is the newest specie added to the company’s assortment. Its colour occurs as a result of a mutation in the crop of the ordinary Myosotis blue, after which Sjors selected and developed. We know that in nature mutations can also mutate back to their original colour and this also happens with the Blue Star! Sometimes there are flowers between the crops that have the normal original blue color again. So the question is, how long we can still enjoy this distinct Myosotis?
Origin
The name Myosotis comes from Greek and means “mouse ears” (mus + otis) for its similar shape and color. The fine, soft blue flower is found almost in every garden and spreads very quickly. The myosotis has acquired many different meanings over the years. For example, it is often a symbol for devoted lovers who are still together after all setbacks.
The Myosotis is better known as the 'forget-me-not-you'-. The Dutch organization 'Alzheimer Nederland' has therefore made the flower a symbol for a future without dementia.
Forget-me-not has its name due to the many myths that have been written about the flower. The best myth comes from the Middle Ages and is about a knight who walked along a river with his beloved. Dedicated as he was, he plucked a bunch of blue flowers that stood along the waterfront to give it to his beloved. The heaviness of the armor, however, caused this poor man to fall into the water. Before he drowned he could throw the bush at his beloved and cried, "Do not forget me!"
Care
The blue colour flowers of the Myosotis look amazing in every bouquet. It also ensures unity and contrast in your arrangement.
Myosotis is a delicate product that drinks a lot. Using a vase with clean water is therefore essential! The leaves should not be submerge in water, so remove any leaves from the stems where necessary before introducing in the vase. Use cut flower food in the water. It is important to cut them off properly with a sharp knife before putting them in the water.
FloraPodium, 25 April 2018
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