Behind the Scenes at Special Orchids

When you enter the grounds of Special Orchids you immediately feel the dedication and craft behind this company. Owner Wim speaks with enthusiasm about his nursery. With over 5 hectares of cultivation and a wide assortment of varieties, Special Orchids supplies top-quality flowers to the international market. "For us, it is all about originality, quality, and a complete assortment."

Family business with passion

Special Orchids is a family business. Wim runs the nursery with his brother. The older generation and a small team also help every day. "My father still drives along to deliver flowers. This gives continuity and creates a special atmosphere within the company."

Team spirit is strong, especially during the busiest months. "We start cutting at six in the morning, then everyone begins packing, and by around half-past eleven the flowers are ready for our customers. During peak periods it is hard work, but the atmosphere is always positive."

Cymbidium: choice and challenge

Special Orchids focuses fully on Cymbidium. The choice was deliberate. "It is a flower with character. Every variety has its own shape, color, and blooming time. That makes it challenging, but also very rewarding to work with."

The season runs from August through May, with a strong focus on export markets such as the United States and the Middle East. "From November to May, the demand from America is extremely high. That is when we are running at full speed."

Innovation and breeding

Special Orchids has its own lab where young plants are grown. Wim also works with partners in New Zealand on breeding and new crossings. "If I see a beautiful variety today and place it in the lab, it will take four to five years before the first production is ready. It requires patience, but that makes it special."

This creates a renewing assortment with more than a hundred types in different colors and lengths. From soft pink to deep red, from fresh green to unique brown. "We want to offer our customers a complete assortment every week. That is why we always make sure to have white, green, yellow and multiple shades of pink available. On top of that, we add unique colors to surprise."

Production process and quality

Growing Cymbidium needs knowledge and precision. Each plant blooms once a year and the bloom period is mostly genetic. "A variety naturally blooms for about six to eight weeks. You can only influence that to a limited extent. This means we must plan carefully to have flowers throughout the season."

Quality is a priority. Every morning stems are freshly cut so customers receive top-fresh flowers. Wim: "I would say 90 to 100 percent of our flowers are cut the same morning. That is an important difference compared to products that may sit in storage for days."

Smart packaging and logistics

Special Orchids invested in packaging and logistics. Wim talks about strong boxes made for air freight. "Our boxes are not only sturdy but also practical. They are airfreight-ready and prevent transport damage. Production costs are higher, but the quality on arrival is always excellent."

Presentation is important too: photo stickers on the boxes make sure customers know which variety they receive. "A florist in Miami might not recognize a name right away, but with a clear photo on the box there is no doubt."

Collaboration with Holex

For the past two years Special Orchids has supplied through the Holex webshop. This has increased the company’s visibility. "It is fantastic to see our flowers presented in the Holex shop. Customers often send me screenshots asking: Wim, do you still have this variety? That gives us energy."

This cooperation helps Special Orchids reach wholesalers and florists worldwide. The flexible packaging and wide assortment suit the needs of international customers.

Future and vision

Wim looks to the future with confidence. Breeding remains a key focus so customers can find new, unique varieties. Sustainability and tailor-made service stay important. "We always want to stay one step ahead, both in quality and assortment. Cymbidium is not a mass product, it is haute couture. And that is how we want to keep it."

A flower with a story

Special Orchids shows that Cymbidium is more than a beautiful flower. It is the result of craft, innovation, and passion. From the lab to the greenhouse, from the strong boxes to the florist abroad, every stem has a careful story behind it.

As Wim summarizes: "Every day, we want to surprise our customers with the most beautiful Cymbidiums. That is what drives us."