Breeding
Our company commenced Hippeastrum breeding in 1987, in cooperation with the Dutch bulb growers’ association ‘Floralia’, using varieties available at that time as the basic material for our initial crossings. In 1994, the first varieties from our first crossing program were introduced to the market. Since then, considerable progress and tremendous expansion has taken place with 2-3 new varieties being introduced each year.
Our breeding program focuses on developing new and improved varieties for potted plant or cut flower cultivation. The number of scapes and flowers, plant growth rate, together with bulb and scape quality are vital factors for both types of cultivation. Moreover, rapid bulb growth, good bulb storage qualities and short scapes are essential for pot-culture, whilst bud presentation, vase life and stem quality are the main objectives for cut flower production.
All potential new varieties undergo several years of rigorous testing and evaluation against a large number of essential traits prior to commercial introduction. Comprehensive cultural advice can also be supplied to commercial growers upon delivery of the planting material.