Varinova was founded in September 2000, but our F1 Cyclamen’s history goes more than 30 years back. Since 1975 the breeding of the first F1 Cyclamen was started under "De Ruiter Seeds" flag. In that period of time different series were developed and introduced on the market, like the Colorado-, Minimate-, Intermezzo- and the Melody-series.

In July 2000 The Ruiter Seeds has decided to concentrate more and more on the breeding of hybrid vegetable seeds. Bart Kuijer (breeder at The Ruiter Seeds) and Jeroen Veugelers then decided to take over all cyclamen activities (breeding, production and marketing) and pursue under the new name Varinova B.V.. Since then Varinova B.V. is a new and independent company.
The cooperation with De Ruiter Seeds has been maintained for some years by assisting Varinova B.V. in the research field.

Within Varinova Bart Kuijer concentrates on research, development and production.
Jeroen Veugelers, who has an extensive management experience in agrarian industry, focuses on Varinova’s marketing, sales and organisation. In the summer of 2001 Varinova moves from an annex building of The Ruiter Seeds to a new, own location in Berkel en Rodenrijs (some 10 km north of Rotterdam), a  greenhouse with a surface area of 8000 m2. This is where, since 2001, all the development, production and marketing activities take place.

In 2003 Varinova starts, besides from the cyclamen-series, with breeding pot Gerberas. The first Gerbera-series appear on the market in 2005.

In January 2007 Jeroen Veugelers withdraws from Varinova. Marga Janus, Bart Kuijer’s life partner, joins the management of Varinova and concentrates on Varinova’s logistic and administrative organisation, while Bart Kuijer expands his activities with sales. After three successful years of growth in the field of pot Gerbera development and  sales, the decision was made to sell the pot Gerberas department to Sakata as of July 1 2008. In the years to come Varinova will stay involved with the pot Gerbera development activities. For more information about pot gerberas you can visit www.sakata.com.