When you think of Roma nova, you think of bulbs in apple-green pots. The nursery, run by Erik and Brenda Willemse, has a strong brand with high-quality products in a wide range.
Beautiful bulbs
Roma nova buys bulbs from bulb growers that grow the bulbs outside in the fields. They have been doing this for years with fixed lines from a number of growers. Erik goes into the fields himself in spring to select the best quality together with the growers. “We make sure the varieties are really grown as bulb-on-pot varieties. You see that later: the bulbs stand nice, firm, and straight on the pot.”
Once received, the bulbs go into the cold store where it gets different temperatures to simulate an ‘artificial winter’. When the bulbs are planted in pots, they go to the cold greenhouse. This method of cultivation takes a little longer, but benefits the quality of the plant. The nursery is known for its compact varieties. And this is due to the cold cultivation method: “The combination of cold and light keeps the varieties nice and short.”
20 years Roma nova
Last summer, the team at Roma nova celebrated their 20th anniversary. Over the years, they have grown into a leading bulb-forcing company. In the busiest period, they work with a team of 60 employees, on a cultivation area of 1.6 hectares. Brenda: “We have a close-knit team, despite it being seasonal work. We find it very important that besides the hard work, there is also time for socializing with each other. As a result, our employees enjoy coming back to us after the summer break.”
Innovative hardware
Roma nova is known for their trendy hardware. Brenda: “I worked in cosmetics for years, and that’s where I learned a lot about branding. Every year we define new styles, and that includes new hardware. I always keep my eyes open when it comes to trends, so we sometimes go to Paris for inspiration. I am also very involved in data analysis, which enables me to assess what works and what doesn’t.”
On each package, a QR code is placed that links to the Instagram page. There, consumers get a behind-the-scenes look and can get all the tips on how to care for our plants.
