Lecture of the Year 2013
Carlos Van der Veek
"Future Developments in Daffodils in Holland"
Sunday 24th November 2013 saw the Northern Ireland Daffodil Group welcoming top Dutch Daffodil expert Carlos Van der Veek giving a talk on growing bulbs in Holland and how he sees the future of daffodils developing. Carlos is the son of the late Karel Van der Veek, world-renowned daffodil hybridist so he grew up surrounded by bulbs and seedlings. Carlos informed us that the town of Burgerbrug in Northern Holland, where he lives is “on land that is reclaimed from the sea and subsequently the soil is a perfect sandy loam, ideal for growing big, firm bulbs”. Of the soil Carlos stated that “to retain the naturally fertile soil the land is deliberately flooded every 4 years with sea water to kill off bugs and weeds. This also means bulbs are much easier cleaned and more pest resistant”.
Carlos has recently set up his own export business, Fluwel, supplying bulbs to the European, Japanese and American markets; Carlos said that “approximately 30 million bulbs head across the Atlantic every year”.
Carlos told us that “Dutch growers look for a bulb that reproduces or multiplies quickly for selling en mass to the general public. The general public, world over, usually associate Yellow trumpets with the term daffodil and there needs to be more done to educate people that there are many more variations out there”.
When we think of Holland we stereotypically think of clogs, windmills and tulips. Carlos and his business revere tulips so much they have even created a theme park called Tulpenland. Their aim is “to educate and inspire people to grow and appreciate the wonderful tulip” and with over 10,000 visitors last year they’re obviously doing something right! Could we do the same for the humble Daffodil, certainly food for thought!
Carlos Van der Veek
"Future Developments in Daffodils in Holland"
Sunday 24th November 2013 saw the Northern Ireland Daffodil Group welcoming top Dutch Daffodil expert Carlos Van der Veek giving a talk on growing bulbs in Holland and how he sees the future of daffodils developing. Carlos is the son of the late Karel Van der Veek, world-renowned daffodil hybridist so he grew up surrounded by bulbs and seedlings. Carlos informed us that the town of Burgerbrug in Northern Holland, where he lives is “on land that is reclaimed from the sea and subsequently the soil is a perfect sandy loam, ideal for growing big, firm bulbs”. Of the soil Carlos stated that “to retain the naturally fertile soil the land is deliberately flooded every 4 years with sea water to kill off bugs and weeds. This also means bulbs are much easier cleaned and more pest resistant”.
Carlos has recently set up his own export business, Fluwel, supplying bulbs to the European, Japanese and American markets; Carlos said that “approximately 30 million bulbs head across the Atlantic every year”.
Carlos told us that “Dutch growers look for a bulb that reproduces or multiplies quickly for selling en mass to the general public. The general public, world over, usually associate Yellow trumpets with the term daffodil and there needs to be more done to educate people that there are many more variations out there”.
When we think of Holland we stereotypically think of clogs, windmills and tulips. Carlos and his business revere tulips so much they have even created a theme park called Tulpenland. Their aim is “to educate and inspire people to grow and appreciate the wonderful tulip” and with over 10,000 visitors last year they’re obviously doing something right! Could we do the same for the humble Daffodil, certainly food for thought!