A Colorful Visit to Alain Poot Nursery

With autumn in full swing, there is one flower that perfectly matches this season: the Cymbidium. We visited one of our trusted growers, Alain Poot, known for his excellent quality and unique varieties. We have been closely working with him for over 20 years and are always impressed by the outstanding quality he delivers.

The autumn atmosphere is evident on the drive to the nursery, with leaves falling and plenty of rain. Upon arrival, we are warmly welcomed by Joyce, Alain’s wife. She leads us to the canteen, where the team is on break. We are immediately offered a cup of coffee as we meet Alain, the proud owner of the nursery. He is glad we took the time to visit and introduces us to his parents, who are still involved in the family business.

A Family Business with Over 50 Years of Experience

After the break, the team returns to work while we stay with Joyce to learn more about the nursery and Cymbidium production. Joyce proudly shares the history of the nursery, which has existed for over 50 years. "Alain’s parents started growing mini Cymbidiums back then, and they were paid per flower," she explains. "It was really a niche market at the time. Over the years, they specialized further. Nowadays, they focus on large-flowered Cymbidiums in unique colors like green, brown, and orange, which are perfect for the autumn season and holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving. Our products are available from mid-September to the end of March. After that, we prepare for the new year."

The Craft of Cymbidium Cultivation

Joyce then takes us on a tour through the greenhouses, explaining the cultivation process. "This is truly a craft," she explains. "Every stem here is guided by hand during its growth. We use elastic bands every few days to ensure they grow straight." This labor-intensive process cannot be automated, meaning each flower receives a great deal of personal care and attention.

Process

1. The process begins by attaching an elastic band to the bottom of the stem using a knot.
2. As the stem grows, the band is gradually wrapped around it.
3. This process is repeated for weeks to guide the stem's growth.
4. When the stem starts to bloom, it is supported with a yo-yo to help it grow as straight as possible.

Joyce emphasizes that the weather significantly affects growth. "In sunny weather, the stems grow much faster than in cloudy or rainy conditions, which means we constantly have to adjust to the weather." This makes Cymbidium cultivation a specialized craft that requires experience and patience.

Each stem is harvested by hand, with the team walking through the rows to cut the stems at the right stage of maturity. This is a precise task, as the flowers are delicate and must only be cut when they are in perfect condition. Afterward, they are carefully packaged by hand to avoid damage. "It's hard work, but we do it with love for the flower," says Joyce.

Sustainability at the Cymbidium Nursery: From Solar Panels to Bee Colonies

Sustainability plays an increasingly important role in horticulture, and Alain Poot is no exception. "We have installed nearly 200 solar panels on the nursery's roof," Joyce says. "These provide much of the energy needed in the greenhouse." The nursery also uses geothermal energy, making the heating system sustainable and circular.

Joyce explains that they are part of a local growers' collective, where heat exchange plays a key role. "The nearby Gerbera nursery uses a lot of light in its greenhouses, generating excess heat. They store this heat, which we then use to heat our own nursery. This saves a lot of energy and helps us work more sustainably."

Within the greenhouse, biological methods are used as much as possible. "We have invested in natural pest control methods, like using beetles and bees to manage pests." A recent innovation involves using bee colonies to remove honey produced by blooming Cymbidiums. "The flowers produce honey during blooming, which can cause mold. The bees remove this honey, significantly improving the flowers' quality." Joyce also mentions they are experimenting with paper sleeves instead of plastic packaging. "It's challenging to achieve the same luxury look with paper, but it's much better for the environment," she says. "We are testing with various customers to see if these sustainable sleeves can be a good alternative for the future."

Breeding for Unique Colors and Varieties

Joyce takes us through different sections of the nursery. In the first rows, there are no flowers yet. "These plants are still young," she explains. "It takes about three years for them to produce their first flowers. The older the plant, the larger and fuller the flowers. Some plants here are over 20 years old and still produce beautiful blooms. That's sustainable in itself, to be able to use one plant for so long."

The nursery is divided into different sections to offer a varied range of colors and types throughout the season. "We regularly update our assortment to meet trends and market demand," says Joyce. She points to a row of new breeding varieties that will likely come to market in the future. "We are always looking for unique colors and shapes. The breeding process takes almost ten years, but it allows us to introduce varieties that can't be found anywhere else."

A bit further along, we meet Alain again, who is harvesting. He explains what he looks for during the harvest, as it's crucial to cut the flowers at just the right time for optimal vase life. Alain walks with us and shows us the special variety "Three of a Kind," a unique breed they developed themselves. This Cymbidium stands out for its three rear petals and upward-facing bloom, making it truly special.

Cymbidiums from Alain Poot at Holex

The Alain Poot nursery is one of the smallest Cymbidium growers in the Netherlands, but that does not stop them from standing out in the market. They offer more than 50 different varieties. Despite their small scale, their range is broad and unique, which is ideal for Holex. We often receive special requests from customers, and thanks to our close collaboration with Alain, we can usually fulfill these requests with ease. "Holex even helps us name new varieties," Joyce says with a laugh. "You've helped name several varieties."

Before leaving, we take some photos of the colorful greenhouses and thank Joyce and Alain for their hospitality. Back at the office, we speak with Hans Loos, our Cymbidium buyer. "I am always enthusiastic about the quality that Alain Poot provides," says Hans. "His flowers are exceptional, and it’s a pleasure to work with him. He always thinks along with us and offers custom solutions that perfectly match our customers' needs. I wish he could expand his nursery so we could provide even more high-quality Cymbidiums to our customers!"

Would you like to view the current Cymbidium assortment at Holex? Visit our webshop and go to the Cymbidium category. Do you have special requests or questions? Contact your Holex Account Manager. We are happy to assist you.

Process

1. The flowers in the greenhouse grow until they reach the right maturity for harvesting.
2. All stems are harvested by hand.
3. After harvesting, the stems are hung upside down on an internal transport system. This prevents damage during transport to the processing area.
4. In the processing area, the stems are sorted by hand based on the number of flowers and size, then packed.