Ge Rooyakker, Developer of Doubles

Ge Rooyakker

While most Dutch bulbs are still grown on relatively small, family-run farms, today many flower-growing operations are much larger. The Rooyakkers family is growing millions of lilies, tulips, hyacinths, iris, alliums and daffodils on more than 150 acres in Holland's Northern Bulb Growing District. With Ge Rooyakker's help, they are finding new ways to make their businesses survive in a global marketplace.

Ge Rooyakker is a third-generation grower. Like most Dutch bulb growers, he started out in the business working in the fields. He then spent time studying at the Royal School of Horticulture, learning all aspects of bulb growing and traveling the world to learn as much as possible. Since then his primary focus has been on marketing, sales and new variety development. Ge lives and breathes bulbs. His work takes him around the globe from China to Chile, Sweden to South Africa. "I especially enjoy spreading the word about new varieties that have good disease resistance, long-lasting blooms and are good for forcing indoors," says Ge. "I'm proud of the fact we have a healthy and profitable business that the fourth generation of Rooyakkers (his kids) can take part in," he says.

Royal Acres Tulip

One of Ge's favorite breeding accomplishments is the Royal Acres Double Tulip. This purple, peony-flowered variety is a mid- to late-season bloomer and has double flowers on short, sturdy stems. The slightly frosted outer petals open gradually to reveal layers of ruffled, purple color inside.

Ge is also proud of the company's lilies. The Sumatra Oriental Lily features 7- to 9- inch diameter, burgundy flowers edged in white, with an enticing fragrance. They stand as much as 4 feet tall at maturity.

The Rooyakkers' latest breeding achievement is the new Double Oriental Lily. These 6-inch diameter, double-flowered lilies come in light and dark pink, white with yellow, and white with green. All have a soft, sweet fragrance. Since these double lilies don't have anthers, there's no messy pollen when they're brought indoors as a cut flower.

In the bulb growing business, only a handful of new introductions ever become a huge success. 'White Cloud' iris, which was bred by the Rooyakker family, seemed destined to be a winner, but was denied a Royal Horticultural Society award. "They didn't think it would be a good commercial variety," says Ge. The Rooyakkers still believed in the variety and they kept growing it. It eventually became a big commercial success and was popular for 15 years before it was recently replaced by 'Casablanca' iris.

Ge's family is not content to rest on their breeding laurels. They're working on several new irises and one of Ge's children is starting to breed hyacinths. Since new varieties take so many years to develop, he can take heart in knowing the family business has been thriving for more than 75 years, and has survived several economic downturns. Ge's, family has thrived in the bulb industry for more than 75 years and by all accounts, they will be growing flower bulbs for many more years to come.