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Zinnia - A Flower to Fall in Love With in a Heartbeat

When you see the diversity of every little flower, you can't be anything else than amazed. Not one looks the same.

By: PETER VAN DELFT | 18-08-2023 | 3 min read
Cut Flowers
Peter van Delft visits Maurits Keppel and they talk about zinnia

When I entered the greenhouse of Maurits Keppel, I felt the passion immediately. Peter van Delft here, your eyes on the floral industry. Today the story goes about Zinnia, a beauty for every florist. I wanted to see these flowers because I hear it's a special flower that's difficult to grow in other parts of the world. Zinnia is a real Dutch beauty. Summer flower grower Maurits Keppel grows them as cut flowers. Growing niche products sustainably with the best shelf life is Maurits' ultimate goal.

The History of Maurits Keppel

When talking to Maurits, I only get more convinced that it is a good decision to visit his greenhouse. This passionate grower finished horticultural school, now 20 years ago. And started to grow flowers from that moment on. For six years he has been doing this full-time now. His farm is in Utrecht, in the Netherlands, and his product goes to the auction every day.

 

Peter van Delft Visiting Maurits Keppel and Talk About Zinnias

 

Zinnia Is in Big Demand 

Maurits grows his zinnia with a length of stems from 70 cm. And flowers of 5 cm. That's amazing. Every week 90 buckets go to the auction, that's wonderful, and I hope this will go on for a few months to come.

 

Maurits Keppel Zinnia
Maurits Keppel

 

How to Condition Zinnias?

When you see the diversity of every little flower, you can't be anything else than amazed. Not one looks the same. Zinnia in bouquets gives extra added value. But how to condition them?

Maurits: 

"It's important that they stay out of the coolers. We cut them and put them in water with chlorine, and they go to the auction right away. There it's called an exclusive uncooled flower. They are quite vulnerable and will degrade fast in cold conditions. It's also best when it's not packed and for sure not in plastic. If really necessary, packing should be in paper wrap."

 

White Zinnia at Maurits Keppel

 

Which Crops Does Maurits Grow? 

Of course, Maurits grows more than just Zinnia, also Anetum, Daucus, Phacelia, and Veronica Paulina Blue. But his Zinnias are special to him. They come in several colors and he wants them to be highlighted, so florists know they can buy now. Han Fokkink chose different colors and varieties for him.

 

Maurits Keppels Zinnias

 

Passionate About Summer Flowers

Han Fokkink is the one that selected the colors of Zinnia for Maurits. Han believes it's important all those exclusive flowers stay on the market.

 

Zinnia in the Greenhouse of Maurits Keppel

Han:

"First of all, I am passionate about summer flowers in general, and I have loved zinnia ever since I was a child. I come from a family of farmers, and when I was 12 years old, I started to grow my own flowers. Summer flowers are so nice to grow! It is a pity that the diversity in cut flowers is decreasing, especially in the range of summer flowers. Better knowledge about storage and treatment with auctions and wholesalers would improve the shelf life of this product group, resulting in a better image, more willingness to grow and innovate summer flowers, and therefore a wider assortment. That would be nice."

 

 

Petri Rijsdijk at the Farm

Petri is one of the florists I'm always amazed by. In Leiden, Netherlands, she runs her business, Fiori Bloemen. She's so positive and energetic. And she's eager to put these zinnias in the spotlight.

 

White Bouquet Zinnias by Petri Rijsdijk at Maurits Keppel

 

Maurits Keppel With a Bouquet of Zinnias by Petri Rijsdijk

 

Petri: 

"A zinnia is so extraordinary to use in a bouquet, it's different, elegant, and classy, I really love it."

Well, I hope you loved this story about the zinnia, a niche product that has to stay on the market. Keep on buying these beauties.

 

Petri Rijsdijk at Maurits Keppel Making Bouquets

 

Petri from Il Fiori Loves Zinnias - Maurits Keppel
Petri Rijsdijk from Fori Bloemen 

 

Peter van Delft profile picture
Peter van Delft

I am always on the lookout for new flowers, specialties, novelties, and products coming into the season. Working in the Dutch flower industry enables me to see the prettiest flowers in the world, and I can say I really love it!

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