“New varieties needed to meet growing wow factor demand”

"Roses have been the most important type of flower for untold generations, forming the foundation of the South American Flower industry. A major, if not the biggest risk for the industry has been stagnation. If roses do not create new ways to wow the consumer, they are doomed to becoming just another flower in a mixed bouquet. On the other hand, creating a rose that does not have the rose's signature elegance and beauty can lead to traditional consumers feeling alienated. Luckily, Plantec has been able to not only balance tradition with innovation, but redefine that balance", says Aviram Krell of Plantec, the largest rose variety introducer in Latin America.

New and existing varieties
At their recently concluded open house event, they unveiled newly named varieties, as well as selections from the 2024 collection that have garnered positive feedback since entering the market. Krell: "While signature varieties that Plantec selected and introduced to the market made a grand appearance, (Explorer, Mondial, Brighton, amid others) the stars of the show promise to redefine the industry for decades to come. Varieties such as Shocking Blue, Fortune, Goldfinch, and Red Panther that have entered the market aggressively in the past year have been showing strong positive tendencies."

Not pushing the varieties too quickly
Plantec's strategy has been to produce the cuttings and grow the number of rose plants steadily, without pushing the varieties too quickly. "This allows the rose farms to show their primary clients the varieties, and have the demand of the variety grow organically."

During the open house, new varieties such as Purple Crown, Ladies Crown, St. Tropic, Icarus, Zenith, Think Pink, Carezza, Exotix Berry, Exotix Mint, Pink Puma and Mademoiselle made significant waves as over 400 industrial growers, sales-members, general managers, wholesalers, and designers were awed at the new shapes, textures, and colors that Plantec is introducing into the market.

Differentiation
"The general audience of the open house was incredible, with farms arriving from a positive Valentines, the main word that we kept hearing, from both the growers and the buyers present was, "differentiation" everyone needs new varieties to meet the growing demand of the ever critical "wow factor".

Pro3 rootstock
Along with the roses, the Pro3 rootstock was also presented in a display showing the difference between the normal Nathal Briar rootstock. The display allowed agronomists to compare plants of the same variety from two different rootstocks. The Pro3, with nearly 50% more root mass, along with nearly 75% more vegetal growth clearly shows how a grower can increase yield without increasing the quantity of plants.

Positive day
Reflecting on the event, Krell is pleased . "Plantec has always forged a name for itself by heavily depending on innovation and hard work. Without a doubt though, the most important factor in the open house event was the support and hard work of our growers, who consistently work to improve the varieties offered, and the buyers who graced our event with positive feedback, interest, (flower sales) and support against illegal exportation of roses that are not respecting the Plant Breeder Rights."

See below more pictures taken during the open house:

For more information:
Aviram Krell
Plantec Ecuador
Email: Public-Relations@plantecuador.com
Instagram: @Plantec_ECU
www.Plantecuador.com