Kitty de Jong is the proud owner of Agro Fleur Select, a company that grows various cut flowers and flower bulbs. 15 years ago Kitty took over the company from her father, who started the company more than 50 years ago. He mainly cultivated many different types of summer products. Kitty herself has changed course and has narrowed the focus of her cultivation. She only grows a few products: the Agapanthus, Asclepia, Nerine and Amarine. She also grows bulbs from the Nerine and Amarine.

She specializes in the cultivation of the Nerine and Amarine. According to her, the Amarine is still a far unknown product. In the spotlights of this week is therefore the Amarine: for more knowability within our sector!

Cross between Amaryllis and Nerine

In the spotlights of this week we show you the Amarine. The flowers of the Amarine belladiva smile to us with there warm glow. The Amarine belladiva is available in the colors white, pink, dark and light pink. The Amarine belladiva is the 'large-flowered' cross between Nerine and Amaryllis and is characterized by a rich, full bloom and a long shelf life in the vase as well in the garden. The larger flowers of the Amaryllis are clearly visible, making Ama-rine: Ama 'of Amaryllis and' rine 'of Nerine. Amarine is a completely new product compared to the Nerine!

There is  a difference between the Nerine and Amarine and you can characterize each in its own way. The Nerine Bodeni line (the traditional line) describes Kitty as the 'graceful' line. The Nerine Elegance line owes its name to its elegant appearance. The Amarine, on the other hand, is the 'Graceful, strong opera singer', which can be characterized by the full flowers, thick stems and intensely colorful flowers.

“The Amarine (and Nerine) is a characteristic bulbous flower, distinguished by pure, feminine beauty: beautifully shaped flowers that glisten through the silver and gold pollinated flower petals. A fragile but powerful symbol of connection, straight from the heart.” Says Kitty.

Nereus God of the Sea

The story goes that Nerines once washed ashore from South Africa on the coast of Guernsey. They owe their name to that voyage. Nerine is therefore named after the 50 beautiful daughters of sea god Nereus. In England the product is also known under the name Guernsey Lilly. Her 6 different types of Amarines are named after the daughters, the nereids: Smilla, Aphrodite, Anastasia, Emanuelle and Paris. The Amarine belladiva Tomoko knows a story separately. This flower was christened by the wife of a Japanese ambassador Ms. Tomoko comatie. Willem Alexender and Maxima brought these bulbs with them during their visit to the Japanese emperor. The bulbs are now blooming in the gardens of the palace of the Japanese emperor.

The Nerine is very well known in Japan. However, 90% of the trade was exported to Japan. A  product that perfectly fits the Ikebana style in Japan. Due to the decline in the value of the Japanese Yen, the Nerine became less interesting for the Japanese market. The product has been sold more in Europe since this change.

Mission

 "The Amarine gives you a certain feeling. If you get chocolate from someone, that gives you also a certain feeling. You get a certain emotion, I see the Amarine in the same way. I would like to inspire more people to create special moments with flowers ", says Kitty proudly. The mission of Agro Fleur Select is therefore to let consumers share emotions through these flowers.

Her biggest challenge now is to make the Amarine better known to the general public. "Ultimately, the consumer also needs to recognize the Amarine".

Kitty cultivates her products on various pieces of land. The Amarines grow on a 2.5-hectare field in Noordwijkerhout. In the Noordoostpolder it grows on 5 hectares of bulbs from the Nerine and Amarine for trade. In Roelofarendsveen is the greenhouse where the Asclepias, Nerine and Agapanthus are grown. Finally, she also grows Nerine and Amarine in Portugal. Because the Amarine only blooms for a short period of time, there is a lot of supply in a short time. By also growing in Portugal she can extend the season.

Breeding and propagation

The company has been active in the breeding and propagation of bulbs for 50 years. There are three ways to increase the sphere. First, you can increase the bulb by planting clusters, these are the bulbs that are created by a flowering period. You can also cut the bulb. You cut in the form of a star into the bottom of the bulb, which you then put in the ground. All small new bulbs are created on this star. Finally, you can increase the bulbs through tissue culture. This is the most expensive way because the bulbs are treated extremely accurately in the lab.

The Amarine (and Nerine) is a product that only gives flowers after 3 to 4 years after breeding. The product is then monitored for a while to see if it meets the quality requirements. After 10 to 12 years you have a party that is worth the effort. Kitty increases the bulbs of the Amarine itself. That is why she knows exactly what the quality of the flower is.

If Kitty walks through the greenhouse with all new varieties, she always looks to the flowers that first catch her eyes. She keep an eye on them so she can see how the product grows. If the botanical properties are good too, she goes further with the cultivation of this flowers.

The bulbs are all boiled at 43 degrees Celsius in the spring. This is the temperature that the spheres can tolerate without dying. By boiling the bulbs for three hours, the possible problems (such as nematodes) are  killed, making the crop more resistant throughout the year. An interesting way of working which we had never heard before.

Good cooperation

One of the great things about the trade of the Nerine and Amarine, is the good cooperation between the various Nerine nurseries, Kitty Thinks. Everyone shares knowledge and stays in touch with each other. That way they can all guarantee a beautiful product on the market!

FloraPodium, 05 September 2018