Cape exotics have their origins in South Africa but are now known and loved worldwide. With the expansion of cultivation to the northern hemisphere, these unique flowers are now available almost year-round and are rapidly gaining popularity. Phil Kruger is a buyer at Adomex, where he purchases many Cape exotics such as Proteas, Leucospermum, Leucadendron, and Cape green, which are marketed under the Adomex label OrcaExotics.
Year-round availability
"Cape exotics are year-round available these days," he says. "Whereas they used to be mainly harvested wild in South Africa, there are now nurseries, and some are also grown in Portugal, California, Australia, and South American countries, among others. Cultivation came to the northern hemisphere in the late 1990s. It is a small product group within the total range of flowers, but it is grown worldwide."
Proteas
Most Proteas are cultivated, and there are many varieties and types on the market. "Some well-known Proteas are Sylvia, Brenda, Pink Ice, and Lancelot," Phil explains. "They are grown in both the southern and northern hemispheres, giving us year-round access to the finest flowers." For instance, medium Protea production in South Africa runs from February to June and Portugal takes over from August to December. "We are seeing a growth in the production and popularity of Proteas, partly because more nurseries are coming up and nurseries are getting bigger so that flowers are easier to introduce," says Phil. He also notes that Proteas are increasingly appearing in bouquets on television and in advertisements.
Cape Greens
Cape Greens forms a special segment within Cape Exotics. "About 90 percent of Cape Greens is harvested wild in the Western Cape of South Africa. There is strict regulations with permits from landowners and the Forestry Commission; you can't just cut some," Phil explains. Although the product is available year-round, the season peaks at the end of the South African winter, from October to November.
An example of Cape Green is Albiflora, which starts growing in late January and is fully developed by December. "The special thing about Cape greens is that they transforms throughout the year. Some products go from flower to berry, giving them a different look each time," Phil adds. This also make Cape Greens popular in autumn and Christmas decorations, especially in Germany.
Leucospermum
There is a wide variety of colors and shapes of Leucospermum including Tango, Ayoba Sun, and Ayoba Pink. "These are grown both in South Africa and Europe. Production in South Africa runs from June to November, while production in Europe starts in January and runs until July," Phil says. He emphasizes that many of these flowers are botanically native to South Africa, with the Western Cape home to one of the world's greatest biodiversities.
Challenges
The increasing popularity of Cape exotics also brings challenges. "Cape Green has very strict quality control, but it's a natural product. If it rains a lot or if it is cold, there is a difference in uniformity. At the same time, that is also what makes Cape Green special," Phil believes. "Proteas, on the other hand, are usually produced in large nurseries, which results in a more consistent quality."
Florists
"We find that florists often have to reacquaint themselves with the products," Phil says. "Every year we introduce new varieties, but we also have to reintroduce familiar varieties." The large King Protea, in particular, is impressive, but, according to Phil, a bit more difficult to incorporate into bouquets because of its size. "Smaller varieties, with the same look, are more practical for florists. They can be beautifully incorporated into a field bouquet, for example."
Cape exotics such as Proteas, Leucospermum, and Cape Green are a small but important product group in the floriculture sector. "The story behind these flowers makes them extra special," Phil concludes. "They bring a piece of South African nature to the rest of the world."
For more information:
Adomex
Tel: +31 (0) 297 231 290
[email protected]
www.adomex.nl
www.adomex.nl/orca/orcaexotics