Experienced the Meticulous, Skilled Cultivation of Top-Quality Callas in Kallaland
Kallaland, a Dutch nursery based in the heart of the Netherlands, is renowned for its premium callas. The grower at Kallaland, Ton Kortekaas, shares a passion for continuing to make people happy with quality callas.
The demand for Kallaland's callas is high, particularly among florists in the higher segment who seek quality Zantedeschias (callas) with stems of 70 to 80 cm. These are somewhat scarce, especially during winter, and are highly appreciated.
Kallaland specialises in growing premium callas from June through November. The weather plays a crucial role in the growth of callas, and a lack of water or too much sun can lead to shorter stems. To ensure the best quality, only varieties that prove to be healthy, strong, and of high quality are added to Kallaland's list.
Agriko, a tuber producer, supplies Kallaland with the starting material for growing callas. Agriko is owned by Ton Kortekaas and his brother Jan. The activities of Kallaland (growing callas) and Agriko (producing tubers) are kept separate.
Kallaland collaborates with several breeders, including Kapiteyn Group, DuΜmmen Orange, KoΜnst, and Trendflor, to develop new varieties. New varieties are tested for potential in cut production through small trials and scaling up through Agriko. However, growth is not the main goal for Kallaland. Instead, they aim to maintain a stable operation with good quality.
The cost price of growing cut callas is high, and the risks are significant. Retail is important but challenging to build up, and the loss of retail customers can disrupt Kallaland's business calculations. Despite these challenges, Ton Kortekaas encourages florists to share their ideas and wishes for Kallaland's products.
Some of the well-known varieties grown each season include Captain Promise, Captain Ventura, Captain Romance, Pink Jewel, White Present, and Callista. Longer stems and bigger blooms are valued by Kallaland's customers, and these features are reflected in the varieties they grow.
The people behind Agriko, who collaborate with Kallaland-Naturbaumarkt to combine unique insights, breeding, and cultivation, are not publicly specified. Finding good staff and navigating stricter regulations limit potential expansion, but Kallaland remains committed to maintaining its high standards.
In conclusion, Kallaland and Agriko form a unique combination of knowledge, breeding, and cultivation that fits the quality promoted by the Simply Calla growers' collective. Ton Kortekaas expresses a desire to continue making people happy with quality callas, and with their commitment to quality and collaboration, it seems likely that Kallaland will continue to thrive.
