![](https://www.floraldaily.com/remote/https/cdn.floraldaily.com/images/2016/0411/alexandro1.jpg?preset=ContentCustom)
Alexandro Bock at the IPM Essen, Germany.
General demand for hibiscus
The market for outdoor plants has changed quite a lot over the years, due to the financial situation in countries like Russia. Therefore, we are dealing with a oversupply of plants on the European market. Fortunately, according to Bock, the hibiscus is not hit that hard as it is a late spring flowering plant with a long flowering period. "People are currently looking for good quality plants with good prices. Over the last few years, we even see that people are asking for the hibiscus as it flowers for a long time; it can flower all summer till September, October."
![](https://www.floraldaily.com/remote/https/cdn.floraldaily.com/images/2016/0408/diem.jpg?preset=ContentFullSmall)
Change in demand for colors
However, the fact that the demand is steady and even increasing, does not mean that hibiscus breeders can lean back. The color preferences of the customers is changing continuously. "People are looking for new and modern varieties of this well-known plant. Bi-colors, yellow, orange and pink are increasing in sales. And of course it differs per country; red for example is highly popular in the Southern part of Europe and in Northern Europe it is more balanced. All in all, we can say that customers are looking for more vivid colors at the moment," says Bock.
![](https://www.floraldaily.com/remote/https/cdn.floraldaily.com/images/2016/0411/nona.jpg?preset=ContentFullSmall)
New red variety
As So
![](https://www.floraldaily.com/remote/https/cdn.floraldaily.com/images/2016/0408/diem1.jpg?preset=ContentCustom)
![](https://www.floraldaily.com/remote/https/cdn.floraldaily.com/images/2016/0408/diem2.jpg?preset=ContentFullSmall)
Breeding in Italy and Tahiti
The hibiscus varieties of DIEM are not only bred in Italy, but also in Tahiti "We decided to breed in Tahiti as the climate enables us to breed all year round. In Italy, the breeding gives good results only during the summer time." And using two locations has more advantages. "Two separate breeding processes enables us to have different crossing possibilities by using the same plants," he says. After a new variety is bred, they are being propagated in their 1,200 m2 sized rooting area in Italy. In total, they have 15,000 m2 greenhouse under production.
![](https://www.floraldaily.com/remote/https/cdn.floraldaily.com/images/2016/0408/diem3.jpg?preset=ContentFullSmall)
Increasing export markets
DIEM supplies rooted cuttings and young plants (14 and 17cm pots) to growers in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Holland, and Germany and are currently expanding their markets overseas. "From this year, we are starting to discuss the possibilities of potential partners in China, Korea and the USA. We will see how it will develop."
For more information
DIEM SRL
![](https://www.floraldaily.com/remote/https/cdn.floraldaily.com/images/2016/0408/diemlogo.jpg?preset=ContentCustom)
Alexandro Bock
Email: [email protected]
www.diemhibiscus.it