On the final day of United Selections' Open Days in Nakuru, breeder Könst Alstroemeria held an event marking their 80th anniversary. The in-house event brought together growers, florists, and other industry players, celebrating eight decades of producing one of floriculture's most exquisite flowers, having started as a modest family-run Dutch nursery.
Celebrating the 80th Anniversary
With their varieties now planted in more than 30 countries worldwide, Könst has grown into a household name. Their 80th anniversary event at the sidelines of the Open Days was evidence of that, as arrangements made with some of these varieties by floral designer and influencer Alina Neacsa and Lucas Jansen of Floweracademy.nl took center stage.
Then, United Selections CEO Jelle Posthumus, who is one of the owners of Könst, shared a brief overview of their past years working with the breeder. Bart Tesselaar, the Area Manager for Könst, also gave some remarks on the same, both expressing their gratitude to their clients and partners, including several key people in the industry. Growers Xpressions Group, Fontana, Black Tulip Group, Roseto, and several others also attended.
Bart noted that ever since they started working with United Selections in Kenya (in January 2021), they felt they made the right choice. During the Open Days, the vibe is always good: the breeder gets a firsthand opportunity to talk to growers as they show them their varieties in the greenhouses, and the growers can see the flowers' growth and performance, which is a lot better than only seeing vases with selected flowers.
Bart:
"In the showhouse, you can talk about varieties but also how to build up the Alstroemeria beds with support nets and shading after planting. Since there are now at least three different crops, people spend more time taking their time to go through the Alstroemeria, Chrysanthemum, and roses. I already look forward to the 2027 edition!"
From Growing Carnations to Breeding Alstroemeria
The Könst family started out in 1946 in Nieuwveen, Netherlands. Initially known for growing carnations, the family later started experimenting with Alstroemeria breeding. This, later, became the hallmark of their floral legacy. The breeder’s move from carnations to Alstroemeria demanded greater commitment.
Alstroemeria breeding takes many years, considerably longer than many other floral products. And while other breeders might have been discouraged by such a lengthy timeline, Könst saw an opportunity in these flowers.
So, for the past 35 years, they have focused entirely on these flowers, alongside their recent forays into Zantedeschia breeding. This experience affords them greater expertise and understanding of every nuance of the flowers, be it their genetic makeup or their performance in different conditions.
Operating From Strategic Locations Globally
Könst operates from three strategic locations. Their headquarters in Nieuwveen, just five kilometers from the Royal FloraHolland flower auction in Aalsmeer, are perfectly within the heart of the Dutch flower industry. In 2007, they established Flores la Serena near Bogotá, Colombia, at 2,600 meters above sea level.
The high-altitude Flores la Serena facility facilitates the development of varieties specifically suited for the South American market, and also tests how genetics perform under different conditions. More recently, their expansion into Brazil has enhanced their position in one of the world's most buoyant Alstroemeria markets.
Their Alstroemerias now reach growers across at least five continents, supported by trial and production locations and partnerships in key flower-producing regions in Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, and, of course, the Netherlands. Their strategy considers different growing conditions and market preferences.
Könst has a unique approach to plant health. Nearly 100% of their plant material comes from meristem culture, in their own laboratories in both the Netherlands and Colombia. This tissue culture method ensures growers get young plants free of viruses and diseases, which means growers start with the strongest possible foundation, and hence healthier crops.
Bart reiterates, noting the importance of starting clean with fresh planting material for a new crop. The breeder, he says, has their own laboratory in the Netherlands and Colombia, from where they are always able to send out clean plants. And as viruses become more of an issue in several countries globally, they are more aware of how to handle the plants with care.
Bart:
"For our customers in Kenya, we send all our young plants from the Netherlands to the United Selections facility in Nakuru, where we grow them for between eight and 10 weeks. We grow the young plant into a well-developed plant before sending them our customers."
The breeding program at Könst itself focuses on several key areas. Color development results in varieties with unique hues and combinations, while their quality standards emphasize higher grades, particularly in Premium, Super, and Select classifications.
Their productivity improvements mean more stems, impacting grower profitability. And there is also the element of heat tolerance that has become more important as climate patterns change sporadically. And perhaps most ideal are the new forms, including the innovative Florinca sprays that many florists and designers love to work with.
Presence Close to Production and Markets
Könst’s global footprint is about being physically close to where Alstroemeria is grown and traded, just as much as it is about sales. In Colombia, for example, the breeder recently opened a new hardening facility that provides a stable environment for young plants to root and acclimatize before going into production or evaluation.
Their showhouse in Nakuru, Kenya, plays a near-similar role for East African growers. One can walk through the beds, compare varieties, and share feedback face-to-face. During the United Selections (Nakuru) Open Days in January 2026, those attending experienced this firsthand.
What Makes Könst Varieties So Attractive?
While the floral industry used to think of Alstroemeria mainly as fillers, Könst’s varieties have helped change this perception. Their hybrids have rich color saturation, improved petal structure, and forms that work either as focal flowers or as supporting varieties in mixed arrangements. Many of these varieties also have unique patterns, which add visual interest to designs.
The flowers' vase life is another advantage. Well-grown Alstroemeria can last around two weeks or more with proper care, which makes them attractive for events, retail, and home use. Florists love this durability, which hardly comes at the cost of refinement.
The flowers open gracefully, hold their color for many days, and keep arrangements fresh-looking for longer. For exporters, long vase life and strong transport performance help make the flowers easier to sell.
So Many Könst Varieties Out There
Könst's portfolio is vast. Notable favorites like Rio, Wilhelmina, and Napoli established their reputation decades ago. But other names regularly come up. Long-time favorites like Debby, Bianca, and Napoli have proven themselves as being dependable, attractive, and with good productivity and strong market demand.
Others include Himalaya, a strong performer across different markets, Prestige, known for exceptional vase life, and Dubai, whose unique coloring stands out. There is also the Florinca Series, which includes White Pearls, featuring fine flowers densely packed on stems with perfect vase life, and Pink Paradiso, adding quite a color option.
Plus, there are newer introductions like Sargasso, Pinkpop, Renaissance, and Savanna that continue expanding the range. All these varieties particularly appeal to those looking for something different.
Eight Decades in the Floral Business Means More Than Just Longevity
Even as Könst celebrates 80 years, its focus remains on developing more (new) varieties that meet the dynamic market trends; varieties designed to perform well under changing environmental conditions and take heed of sustainability considerations influencing customer decisions.
The breeder also keeps refining the existing stock based on feedback from growers' preferences. Their iterative approach means that even established varieties can improve over time through enhanced selection and propagation.
For Könst, these eight decades mean more than just longevity, adaptability, and redefined quality, having built trust by delivering on their promises of bringing healthy young plants, productive genetics, beautiful flowers, and reliable performance.
Plus, their refreshed company identity and catalogue indicate a new visual chapter, while the practicalities of expertise, continuity, and collaboration remain the same. For growers seeking Alstroemerias that perform reliably across regions and markets, Könst definitely has the perfect genetics backed by their decades of breeding expertise.
The breeder's genetics and varieties make a reassuringly strong choice, perform well, and offer greater freedom for creativity. Their ever-developing catalogue is just a continuation of their journey that shows no signs of slowing down.
