Dried wheat bunches: From field to vase

For over 35 years, Willem van der Spek of Nieuw-Vennep has been growing, harvesting and drying the most exquisite dried flowers. Now with rising demand for dried flowers, his drying sheds in Nieuw-Vennep are more full than ever. Greenflor buyer Teun gets a lasting impression of how fields full of fresh wheat are transformed into beautiful bunches of dried decoration.

Seas of wheat go as far as the eye can see. Cereals dance happily in the wind. A laughing Willem van der Spek comes to meet me on his tractor. He heads the Van Der Spek family business, known worldwide for its high-quality dried flowers. On behalf of Greenflor, I have enjoyed working with Van der Spek growers for many years.

“The demand for dried flowers has changed considerably over the years,” explains Willem, who has been growing, harvesting and drying flowers for 35 years. “Growing dried flowers has always been my passion. Dried flowers have become very popular again in just the last few years. Not only has the demand for natural dried flowers increased enormously, but tinted dried flowers are also booming.

A special type
That is precisely what can be seen in the activity on the Van der Spek grounds, where the wheat harvest is in full swing. “Traditionally, wheat is one of the most important grains that people feed on, but wheat also performs well as a dried flower.” He points to the fresh bunches of wheat he has just cut from the soil by machine. “This is a special type that is ideal for drying. That’s because all the ears are at approximately the same height. ”

Sowing starts in the spring, explains Willem. “The seeds go into the ground in March or April. Then we keep a close eye on the grains. ” If the master’s eye approves of the crops, the harvest can take place in June, July or August, depending on weather conditions. “This allows us to guarantee dried flowers of optimum quality all year round.”

From green to natural
Because the grains have not yet fully developed, they have a greenish hue just after harvest. The bushes are removed from the soil and put on a large trailer, where they are taken to a comfortably warm drying shed, which Willem shows me. Here, the bushes are all hung upside down. They are then left for 48 hours in order to dry thoroughly, which gives them their characteristic natural color.

After that, the bunches of dried wheat are packed in boxes and ready to bring joy to people all over the world. Willem adds, “We supply our dried flowers to various wholesalers, flower exporters and decoration wholesalers at home and abroad. Thanks to our consistent top quality and ideal location, our dried flowers find their way worldwide. ”

Dutch pride
At Greenflor, we can confirm that top quality. For many years, I have been a buyer of Van der Spek’s dried wheat. We leave some bushes in their natural color. At Greenflor, we paint another portion in the trendiest colors, after which they make a splash with many interiors. The bunches of dried wheat perform well as wall decorations, left loose in a classic vase, or mixed with other types of dried flowers in a rich bouquet. Grown from Dutch soil, it is a product to be proud of, indeed!