If proof is needed, just take a look at the ‘Feelings’ series of petal-less Phlox. Who would have thought these were possible? Not the horticulture lecturers or the experienced plant breeders with long family histories in the business. But that’s why René is different, because he entered his trade with no training, no experience and no family tradition, and it is for these very reasons that he is able to produce the unexpected.

René with Phlox 'Fancy Feelings'.

René van Gaalen claims to have begun his plant-breeding career at the age of 6 years old. The son of an electrician, his background was not an affluent one, and as a child he was aware that the flowers growing in the gardens of the better off seemed to have more appeal than those in his local neighbourhood in The Hague. He would steal these special flowers to plant at home, and as he got older observed how the flowers would cross pollenate to produce new varieties.

The area at that time, as it still is today, was home to many cut-flower producers, and the budding plants-man’s keen eye had noticed that there was a certain blandness and conformity in the varieties being grown. His instinct was to challenge the notion that that was all there was worth growing, so, with his childhood antics as experience, decided to have a go himself.

It proved a prudent move. René’s belief that there was so much more to be discovered beyond the accepted boundaries soon had him producing new cut-flower varieties that changed the face of the local industry.

How? The answer is simple. René does what he has done all his life. He observes, he investigates and he follows his instincts with no pre-conceptions and no regards for convention. While growing plants, he is constantly on the lookout for mutations. When he spots one he investigates the reasons for the mutation. It might correspond with a patch of ground where years back he added chemicals to the soil. This provides an easy clue as to what’s going on and gives guidance on how to control and manipulate it as he pleases. It provides inspiration for experiment, and if this involves thinking ‘outside of the box’, then so be it. For René, once the code is cracked the progression is simple. This is how he is able to produce entire series of plants rather than just novelty one-offs.