Explored Kallaland and Witnessed the Artisanal Farming of Elite Callas with Foresight and Skill

In the heart of the Dutch floriculture industry, Kallaland has been dedicated to growing premium callas for over three decades. Based in the Netherlands, this specialised nursery focuses on maintaining consistent quality and stability, rather than rapid growth.

Kallaland's passion for creating quality callas stems from a desire to bring joy to people. The unique colour intensity of callas is highly appreciated, and this passion is reflected in the varieties they grow each season. Some of these include Captain Promise, Captain Ventura, Captain Romance, Pink Jewel, White Present, and Callista.

The long-stemmed, strong callas that Kallaland brings to the market during peak season are a testament to their commitment to quality. However, at the start of the season, shorter stems may occur due to a lack of water and excessive sun. For optimal stem length, covered weather conditions are essential.

Ton Kortekaas, the man behind Kallaland, took over the tuber production of Agriko with his brother Jan in 1991. Agriko, one of the major growers/producers of calla tubers, provides the starting material for Kallaland's cut flowers. This unique combination of knowledge, breeding, and cultivation is a key part of the Simply Calla growers' collective.

Collaborating with breeders such as Kapiteyn Group, Dümmen Orange, Könst, and Trendflor, Kallaland continually evaluates new varieties for potential in cut production. Small trials are conducted, and if successful, potential varieties are scaled up through Agriko.

The market for quality Zantedeschias, the scientific name for callas, can be unpredictable. Retail is difficult to build up, and florists in the higher segment specifically ask for stems of 70 to 80 cm. These are scarce, especially in winter, and highly appreciated. Kallaland does not aim for expansion and does not want to compete with itself. Instead, they focus on meeting the specific requests of their customers, who value their focus on cut callas and specifically request varieties with longer stems and bigger blooms.

Ton Kortekaas encourages florists to continue using callas and welcomes their ideas and wishes. In fact, Ton enjoys having callas in a vase at home. Despite the challenges of growing cut callas, such as high costs, significant risks, and dependency on weather conditions, Kallaland remains committed to maintaining their high standards and delivering the best callas to their customers.

Explored Kallaland and Witnessed the Artisanal Farming of Elite Callas with Foresight and Skill