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Going from holiday job to co-owner

23 December 2015
Grower News

What made these men decide to get into roses, full-time, and make their produce so special for florists?

Origins

As schoolboys, they got to know each other among the Rosa polyantha. They got along well and, after the MAVO (junior general secondary education), the choice was easy: enroll in horticultural school and go into business.

Ten years ago, Omer and Jerry jointly purchased a second location with Harry. With the three of them letting Harry’s original operation, Opstal Nursery now has three official owners. Jerry looks after the crops and everything that this involves. Omer is in charge of sales and Harry does everything else, filling in wherever needed. Since January 2015, Opstal Nursery has become a preferred supplier of FleuraMetz.

Product range

The nursery delivers some twenty varieties of Rosa polyantha, five of which can be labelled unique. The White Lady, Sweet Stars and Romantic Bubbles are exclusively cultivated at Opstal Nursery. The new breeding varieties are first tested for six months. If the results are positive, the first sizeable numbers will only be planted eighteen months later. Omer says the competition from Africa is enormous, especially because of the mass production. “That is why we try to market at least one new variety every year.”

Next year, this will be the new Lace variety, in various types and colours. It’s an Australian vine rose with a magnificent, large bud. “For the more exclusive bridal arrangements”, Omer announces proudly. The partners’ expectation is that the Lace will be available at FleuraMetz starting Valentine’s Day 2016.

Source: www.fleurametz.com