Keigo Nakamura

Summer has come, I hope you are doing fine and congratulate your success.
Also thank you very much for your cooperation and preference.

I have visited Holland in second half of May, and checked introduction of new variety, also the development at breeders, etc.

１．May OT last “forever” ?

　The biggest topic in this spring was variety “forever”, which Marklily hybridized, and sold 150ha license (= 5ha times 30 portion) in few hours!!

Last year of this season, I reported “competition of OT breeding become hot and highly improved White OT will take the lead is important”.
The reason why sales went so good was, because present white OT is some creamy white, but “Forever” is first up-facing pure white.
By the way, distribution of planting material of to grower will be 2012, and propagated in 2-3 years, then big quantity will be available in 2015+, which is also people talk about. (This year is 2010).

Besides, breeding department of Marklily was sold to Vletter & Den Haan, and their breeding line will be continued at Vletter& Den Haan.

２．2010. Competition of White begins.

OT is the major subject nowadays, but many white Orientals were introduced this year too, so option of white becomes more in future.

Until 2009, Asterian(Mak), White Proud(World), White Hero(Marklily), Signum(Van Zanten), Arlington(Vletter) looks hopeful. Beside we look at following varieties in positive this year.
MAK breeding Ortolan, Themes, Valdez
Marklily White Renova, Winter Land
Original group Premium Blond, Ice Clear etc.

We already use varieties such as Universe, Santander, Ice Dancer, White Express, Rialto, Rio Blanco, Constanta, Nova Zembla, Crystal Blanca, Siberia, Casa Blanca etc, and including White/Cream OT as Hacienda, Hypnose, Rexona, Ovatie etc, there are rather many assortment available.
We do test and check possibility in Japanese climate, such as buds counts, plant shape, speed, flower size, base life, possibility of defect as buds deformation. Then we would like to introduce good variety to you.
Gradually, but surely assortment is changing.
We are happy, that you can see many varieties in Lily Festa, and refer it to your success.

３．diversity of sense of value

Depressed economy since 2008 makes people check variety very strict, that why sales of license has been not active.　But now, mood recovered, and growers became positive to buy license.

“Forever” was big hit, on the other hand, there are variety limited license for few growers, or only one grower produce the variety little scale.
Many varieties are obviously not for big scale production, but if availability was limited, people think it possible. By that way of analysis/target, sales of license is going well.

We have seen many varieties, which couldn’t survive for few years after named though. Our company positively supports minority variety as well, so I needed much more time to check variety and take pictures.
(Right picture is “Zanbezi” white OT from Mak Breeding, will be very big hit ?)

▼Climate in Holland
This year, April and first half of May was lower temperature in Holland. There were many tulip field still flowering.
I’m visiting Holland in this time of year since 10 years, but this scene is first time to see.

Planting of Lily bulbs delays about 2 weeks, so sprout of some field, was still 15 cm at visiting time, and enlargement was concerned.

４． Lily Festa 2010, Start very soon !!

From June 4 to 10, “Lily Festa” which is open day of our testing greenhouse will start. At today, except very slow glowing variety, almost all variety start flowering. We hope you enjoy this special occasion.

By this report, I introduced mostly white variety, but of course, assortment of color variety is much more and type is different.
“Diversity of sense of value” is the theme. We are happy if you could find your favorable varieties there.

・Room No 4-6, is Orientals, OT, Longi, and LO
Red oriental “Tarrango”, “ Bacardi”
Bright Pink “Fenice”, “Happinez”, “Lexus”.
Soft pink “Gracia”, “Obsession”,”Barletta”.
In OT hybrid, Orange “Saltarello”, Dark color “Flash Point”,Purple Red “Etocha”,
White “Hypnose”, “Ovatie”, “Cocossa”.
Double Orientals, etc.
・Room No 2-3, is Asiatic, LA hybrid.
Black Asiatic “Landini”
Double flowers ”Cocktail Twins”, “Fata Morgana”, “Red Twin” etc.
・Room No 1, is variety by using Domestic grown bulbs, “Signum” etc.
＊The official ticket is necessary to enter Lily Festa.
The Pictures of Keukenhof Lily Palade, which I took is published on our website, please check it.