Southland grows tulip bulbs for the northern off-season market
Southland’s mild climate and fresh ground make it a base for tulip bulbs exported for the off-season.
|November 11, 2026Listen to the full interview:
This episode featured as part of the Agronomy segment in partnership with PGG Wrightson.
Southland’s four tulip companies grow about 400ha of bulbs, mostly near Edendale, for the northern off-season flower market.
Triflor crop manager Mark Jongejan says the bulbs are forced into flower in glasshouses overseas from late August to mid-December.
“We particularly grow very good bulbs here,” he says.
Mark says the crop flowers for a couple of days so staff can pull odd colours or signs of viral infection, then the heads are topped to send energy to the bulb.
He says an eight-year rotation guards against soil-borne fungi and nematodes, so Triflor leases ground on about a dozen dairy, sheep, beef and cropping farms.
“Every year you’re going to get the hail damage and every year you’re still disappointed.”
To learn more, visit triflor.nl
This episode featured as part of the Agronomy segment in partnership with PGG Wrightson. Make sure to contact PGG Wrightson to plan your crop and pasture requirements. You can find your local Technical Field Representative or store team at https://store.pggwrightson.co.nz/find-your-store
Watch the full interview:
CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.
