Integrated quality management: from bulb to flower

Quality as an investment: a holistic approach

At Forever Bulbs, we consider quality management an investment in our customers' success rather than a mere expense. Our quality management system covers the entire production process, from the selection of starting materials to the delivery of end products. This holistic approach enables us to consistently produce high-quality gladioli that meet the stringent requirements of our customers and their customers.

Gladioli are grown in a two-year cycle, going through the following stages: cormel, corm, and mature bulb. Quality begins at the source: our cultivation process.

Quality control in gladioli cultivation

By closely monitoring every aspect of the cultivation process, we minimize deviations and maximize the quality of our gladioli. This means:

1. Careful selection of starting material: The quality of the end product begins with the foundation: the starting material. For Forever Bulbs, this means a thorough selection of our gladioli cormels, corms, and bulbs that serve as the basis for our cultivation. This selection includes various crucial aspects such as varietal purity, genetic diversity, bulb size, and disease resistance.
   
   
2. Maintaining optimal growing conditions: Optimal growing conditions are crucial for producing top-quality gladioli. The gladiolus is very robust; it mainly needs plenty of light and sufficient water. Other relevant factors include soil quality (soil type, nutrients, drainage, etc.), crop protection, and quality control to assess the growth and health of the varieties.
   
   
3. Continuous monitoring: In addition to quality starting material and the right growing conditions, ongoing monitoring during the cultivation process is essential. The cormels and corms are planted between mid-April and mid-May.
   
   

• June: About 6 weeks after planting, our quality manager checks if the gladioli are emerging well. If in doubt, soil tests are conducted to see where adjustments can be made.
  
  
• September - October: From early September, harvesting tests begin. Gladioli are extracted from multiple locations in the field, and the bulbs are measured and carefully examined. This happens several times until the bulbs are 'up to size'. Then the moment of 'bruising' the crop is determined, a benchmark for bulb cultivation.
  
  
• November - December: After harvesting, the bulbs are processed: washing, drying, peeling, and sorting. During processing, quality checks are also regularly performed, both at our contract growers and our own cultivation.

The quality control of the cultivation process aims to deliver the highest quality bulb possible so that they grow into the most beautiful gladioli at the flower grower, garden enthusiast, or in picking gardens. Because that's where our gladioli bulbs ultimately end up worldwide!

Gladz: quality brand gladioli

We have incorporated part of the Dutch flower production under the quality label Gladz. Gladz is a collective of growers that produces gladioli in the highest quality range. The main criteria are: heavy stems, large flowers, and good vase life.

Gladz gladioli are specially grown for florists and flower exporters who, like us and the growers, want the most beautiful and best gladioli. In addition to the cultivation process, our quality manager is also closely involved in flower production. Through weekly inspections of the flowers at the auction as well as multiple visits per season to the (Gladz) grower's field, the gladioli are assessed for ripeness, length, and overall quality.

Quality as a foundation

At Forever Bulbs, we consider quality as the cornerstone of our business operations. By continuously investing in innovation and precise monitoring, we keep improving our assortment and adapting to market needs. As you can also reed in our blog 'Gladioli breeding: crossing and developing new varieties'.

In addition to focusing on high-quality bulbs and flowers, we also direct our attention to optimizing our processes. Efficient, simpler, and clearly structured processes ensure lower costs, better quality, and higher reliability. A great goal that we are eager to pursue!

Take a look behind the scenes at Forever Bulbs, by following us on Facebook and/or Instagram, where you’ll find a glimpse of our employees, processes, and products.