Behind every flower lies a story of timing, skill, and dedication. With its video series Grower for a Day, Decorum Plants & Flowers brings those stories to life – inviting viewers into the greenhouses where expertise meets innovation.
In the latest episode, plant expert Michael Perry, better known as Mr. Plant Geek, spends a day with two Dutch specialists in cut hyacinths: Straathof Flowers and Van Noort Hyacinten. Together, they reveal the precision and craftsmanship behind one of the most fragrant spring flowers.
A Short Season, Perfect Timing
Hyacinths may feel effortless when they appear in bouquets, but growing them is anything but simple. Unlike year-round crops, cut hyacinths have a short and intense season. Months of preparation lead up to a narrow window when everything has to come together perfectly.
At Straathof Flowers, a family business with more than 35 years of experience, this timing is everything. During his visit, Michael follows the bulbs' journey – from preparation through processing to final selection.
Here, every step is carefully planned. Bulbs are handled with accuracy, modern systems help monitor quality, and logistics run like clockwork. One detail out of place can affect the final stem.
As the Straathof team explains during the episode, growing cut hyacinths is all about thinking ahead. The work begins long before the flowers ever reach the greenhouse benches.
Check the video below.
Craftsmanship Behind Every Stem
Watching the process unfold, Perry quickly discovers that the difference between a good hyacinth and a remarkable one lies in the details. Although machines assist with processing, it's the experience that guides the decisions.
Straathof combines decades of horticultural knowledge with efficient systems to deliver consistent, high-quality stems. The result is a flower that not only looks beautiful but also meets florists' expectations.
Innovation at Van Noort Hyacinten
The second stop in this week’s journey brings Michael to Van Noort Hyacinten, where innovation plays a central role. Here, the crop is grown in water rather than soil – a technique that enables exceptional control and consistency.
But that’s only part of the story.
Van Noort continuously adapts its equipment to suit the unique needs of hyacinths. The automation originally developed for tulips and roses has been redesigned to work with this delicate flower. The bulbs themselves are carefully handled, a process that helps extend the lifespan of the final bloom.
It’s a niche crop that demands constant refinement – and Van Noort Hyacinten embraces that challenge with curiosity and determination.
Check the video below.
Connecting People With the Source
The beauty of Grower for a Day lies in its ability to bring growers and the rest of the floral industry closer. Florists, traders, and consumers rarely see the complexity behind a single stem.
Through Michael’s visit, Decorum shows that hyacinths are far more than a seasonal favorite. They are the result of months of planning, innovative techniques, and growers who take pride in their craft.
Each month, a new episode of Grower for a Day follows a master florist or well-known industry professional as they step into the shoes of a grower. The goal is simple yet powerful: show where the top-quality process begins and why craftsmanship at the grower level makes all the difference further down the chain. Click here to see the February episode, where Mr. Plant Geek visited an orchid grower.
