Part 1: Gerbera United - Growing with a mission

We kick off with a special triptych on biological crop protection at Gerbera United. What drives this pioneering grower? How does biological control work in practice? And how can florists or buyers help tell the story to their customers?

This is the first in a series of triptychs. Would you like to contribute as a grower, florist or reseller in a future edition? Let us know - we are open to ideas and collaboration for meaningful content.

Interested in joining or contributing? Email us at info@circles.fm.

Gerbera United is more than just a nursery. It’s a fusion of passion, innovation, and sustainability. Since 2009, three growers – Dick Kooij, WP van den Berg and later Gijsbert Verboom - have joined forces to bring an exceptionally wide assortment of gerberas to market. With over 150 varieties, including germinis, large-flowered gerberas, pastas, spiders and piccolinis, Gerbera United is one of the most pioneering growers in the business.

But what truly sets this nursery apart is its outlook on the future. “If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we’ll fall behind. So we choose progress, sustainability, and flowers that feel good,” says Dick Kooij, one of the three directors, who has a passion for biology.

The nursery operates on three sites: Moerkapelle, Zevenhuizen and Nootdorp. Each has its own speciality, but all share the same commitment. “In one location we grow minis and piccolinis, in another, the large-flowered varieties. And in Nootdorp, we have our technical hub: everything from logistics to processing runs smoothly and quickly there,” Dick explains. Technology plays a key role. A buffer system connects Zevenhuizen and Nootdorp, and thanks to smart integration, the nursery can deliver quickly and reliably.

Gerbera United believes in balance: between humans and machines, between technology and nature. “Sustainability is not just a buzzword here,” says Dick. “It’s woven into everything we do. Our technical innovations allow us to achieve more with less energy, water and resources. At the same time, we keep exploring what nature offers to help keep our crops healthy.”

Gerbera United is also a trendsetter in assortment. In collaboration with breeders, they’ve developed exclusive lines such as piccolinis, pastas and spiders - once niche products, now essential for florists looking to offer something special. Thanks to long-term partnerships, direct sales and smart positioning, they’ve created a stable product range. “We’ve really brought something new to the market. And because we continue to innovate in both varieties and techniques, the product remains exciting.”

When visiting Gerbera United, you come face to face with nature in action. Tiny insects walk across leaves and move from flower to flower. Above and beneath the foliage, something special is happening: crop health is maintained naturally. “We recently had a group of German florists visit,” Dick shares. “We showed them how we work with natural predators. And then you literally see how it works: a parasitised aphid, a predatory mite in action. It gives a completely different perspective. Suddenly they understand why there might be an insect on a flower. It’s not scary or dirty - and it’s not a mistake. It’s proof that we grow with respect for nature.”

For Gerbera United, biological pest control is not a trend, it’s a belief. Dick Kooij speaks with visible enthusiasm about the power of a balanced greenhouse. What drives him is the combination of craftsmanship and responsibility: growing flowers with respect for people, nature and the market. “Our cultivation lasts a long time. That means there’s always a certain pressure from pests and biological predators. Getting that balance right brings challenges and requires investment. But ultimately, that balance makes our flowers stronger. And more honest. I want to be able to say at the end of the day: we did this right. No discussion. No doubt.”

And that approach is visible.

Why do we choose sustainability, but not accept its consequences?
Read about it in Part 2: The reality of biological pest control.