According to Plantec Ecuador, over 400 people attended the SAF convention in Miami, ranging from floral designers, retailers, wholesalers, growers, breeders, and everything in between.
"SAF has done an incredible job of breaking down traditional barriers in the industry. Historically our side of the industry - the breeder's side - never gets an opportunity to hear direct feedback from designers and florists. Having this chance at the convention allows us to re-calibrate our selection criteria, and hear how our roses are being received by the final consumer," said Aviram Krell, a representative of Plantec Ecuador.
The convention also provided seminars directed at understanding the industry up to 2024, allowing attendees to find trends and patterns to plan for the future.
Krell: "We saw many florists and designers interested in the upcoming Hashtag Rose series, a new genetics of spray rose. The uniquely shaped petals create a texture and design opportunity never before possible with roses."
In the 'Outstanding Varieties Competition', blue ribbons were awarded to the flowers that scored in the top 15% of the competition. The following 30% of scorers received red ribbons.
A blue ribbon for 'Fortune Rose'
Krell highlights that Ecuadorian and Colombian farms received awards, including farms that had participated with Plantec varieties. "Of special note was SachaRoses' 'Fortune Rose'. Native blooms, Equiflor, and Sunrite Farms won ribbons with the 'Queens Crown' variety."
A blue ribbon for the 'Queens Crown' variety
The other winners included Attar Roses, Agrirose, Flores Verdes, Rosesland, Florecal, LifeFlowers, El Milagro, Eden Roses, Jetfresh, and Prestige."
The full list of winners can be found on the SAF website: https://safnow.org/
For more information:
Plantec Ecuador
www.plantecuador.com