Notes on the history of bulb breeding in the Netherlands

Summary In the early days of bulb breeding, plants were selected for their beauty-rarely a joy for ever, since fashion changed and new varieties supplanted their ancestors. Beauty has remained the first requirement to the present day. However, physiological characters such as easy propagation, good growth, and suitability for early forcing, are almost as important at present. The merits of a plant for garden decoration take third place.The number of varieties that can meet these requirements is very small; but since the demand is for the best in great quantities, this small group accounts for the greater proportion of all bulbs grown, as demonstrated by the statistical data. It will be very difficult to surpass these varieties, or even to make additions to this group.In hyacinths and daffodils it is even more difficult to develop breeding schemes, as the leading varieties are mostly heteroploids and polyploids, respectively. Here a breeder's intuition is needed above all things to bring us better varieties.