Siem Knol Alstroemeria nursery
Meet René Feld, active in the field for 37 years and working at Siem Knol Alstroemeria nursery.
Siem Knol
- 2 acres
- 7 types
Tell us something about your background; how did you get into the field?
I wasn't really cut out for school so I went straight to work. At one point my cousins Siem and Ger bought a nursery in the Beemster. Since I was already working with the men I went along and I still work there with great pleasure!
What makes this field so special to you?
To see flowers grow every day I do find special and that they end up in a vase with whomever.
When the nursery started, it was mostly loose crops: Lisianthus, Carnations, Iris, Chrysanthemum, etc. At one point we got a good grip on the Alstroemeria and we saw our bread and butter in that. This is how we became specialists.
What is your current role/function?
I'm mostly working in the barn. Packing the bunches, getting them ready in barrels and shipping them to the auction. Actually, that's what I like doing best: in our department we make the product that makes the customer happy.
The Alstroemeria is for all walks of life it is a grateful flower.
Can you provide a description of your role or function and/or an outline of your involvement in the process?
I helped build the company from the beginning, therefore I know all aspects of the work. What I like is the motto: if you do something, do it right the first time. In our case: put the bunches neatly in the buckets and on the carts right away, then you don't have to check it again afterwards.
What part in the (growing) process do you find most fun/challenging?
All aspects of entrepreneurship in horticulture are nice, although I find it too challenging now with energy prices. You have so little control over this yourself.
What are you most proud of?
From how we started at the current location; to where we are today. We started small with several crops, I am proud that we now have 1 crop that we have good control over. Our hands are the machines/robots in the company. I am proud of the permanent team who prepare our beautiful flowers for sale daily.
What has changed or had the greatest impact in recent years?
Led lighting is changing a lot in our crop, a second CHP and new varieties, especially the Florincas.
What do you think makes the Alstroemeria so special?
Is for all walks of life; Is a grateful flower.
What would you tell a florist about the Alstroemeria?
Above all, keep using it! Make sure the Alstroemeria is clearly visible in a bouquet. Furthermore, the florist himself is creative enough to make something beautiful with it
What is your favourite Alstroemeria and why?
Currently the Sangria: Beautiful soft red Florinca.
How do you like to see the Alstroemeria?
In a mono bouquet. Especially with the various colors of the Alstroemeria, complete rainbow bouquets can be made. The whole LGBTQ and all those letters more can be expressed in terms of colors just fine with the Astroemeria that someone hasn't figured that out yet 😉.
What do you think most people (florists) do not know about the Alstroemeria?
The long shelf life and it always comes open, so always use that flower of ours!
What ambitions do you have for the Alstroemeria?
That we will keep them growing and thriving long into the future. That we will keep it up with the company for a long time to come so that the younger guard can continue to enjoy our company.