hello, beautiful gloriosa
Antoine Hoeijmakers, a gloriosa grower in Maasbree (Limburg), welcomes us to his modern and inspiring greenhouse. Although growing and harvesting gloriosas is delicate work, where the "fingerspitzengefĂźhl" of women's hands is, according to Antoine, crucial, the greenhouse breathes innovation. Antoine knows every trick of the trade and leaves nothing to chance. His greenhouse is entirely self-sufficient and makes optimal use of light, space, and water. We are amazed by what we see.Â
a sustainable greenhouse
The gloriosa begins as a tuber and evolves in 9 to 10 weeks into a beautiful plant that reaches 2.5 meters in height. Antoine plants new sections weekly, which grow into strong plants with up to nine buds per stem. This smart method allows him to harvest fresh flowers every week. The tubers double after blooming, ensuring a continuous production cycle. One tuber yields a new cut flower, while the other becomes a houseplant. This makes the greenhouse fully self-sufficient.Â
Sustainability is central to Antoine's operations. A scale in each section precisely measures the amount of water the plants need, preventing waste. Additionally, the greenhouse uses solar panels, insect netting, an electric loader, and energy-efficient LED lighting, resulting in 35% less energy consumption.Â
the partnership between grower and importer
The collaboration between Glorious Gloriosa and Greenflor buyer Gerard began six years ago at the Aalsmeer auction. The relationship blossomed as quickly as the gloriosa itself, growing from a few buckets to a weekly purchase of about 10 carts. Today, Antoine sells his long stems, nearly a meter each, exclusively to Gerard and Greenflor. Therefore, they cannot be found on the clock in Aalsmeer.Â
Glorious Gloriosa is responsible for about 70% of the Netherlands' gloriosa production. With 30% of this production going to Gerard, he is the largest customer, making this partnership unique. This collaboration has led to new packaging and transportation methods, enabling Greenflor to serve customers even better with our comprehensive range.Â
gerard de ruijter:
pioneer in gloriosasÂ
Gerard de Ruijter, co-founder of the renowned family business G. J. de Ruijter, has been a pioneer at the Aalsmeer auction for decades. His client base mainly consists of Dutch and German florists. Since 2022, G. J. de Ruijter has been part of Greenflor Aalsmeer, which has allowed his collaborations with various growers to benefit wholesalers worldwide.Â
about Greenflor
Greenflor is the trendsetter and importer of unique flowers and natural decoration. Our passionate team selects the most extraordinary products for florists, wholesalers and garden centers. Every season, from winter to summer, we offer exclusive and perfect flowers. With our wide range of fresh and dried flowers, Greenflor ensures that you can enjoy beautiful seasonal flowers all year round.