We are still in the midriff of the summer time of year , but at Grupo Arbusta , fall color are popping in their lily greenhouse . On 70 ha in Cayambe , this Ecuadorian farm - one of the country ’s oldest - grows roses ( 35 ha ) , carnation ( 20 ha ) and lilies ( 10 ha ) , that they chiefly export to the US . Fall is one of the master seasons for lily and they can not wait to go into this time of year , the middle of September .
Fall - one of the most important seasons"After Valentine ’s Day and Mother ’s Day , Fall is the most important season for our lily " , sound out Juan Pablo Ponce , Sales Manager at the company . For 24 years now , this farm has been get lily yr - unit of ammunition and change the assortment agree to the time of year . They carry around 16 varieties of the LA Asiatics and 14 kind of the Orientals . " We handle almost all varieties there are , and we carry them in both 3 - 5 blooms and 2 - 3 peak , to play the pauperism of clients that range from event deviser to local florist shop and middleman , as well as refreshful slice peak importers . We can even produce lily in 4 - 5 heyday for special request . "
Lily demandAccording to Ponce , the demand for lily has been quite steady over the years . " lily have something particular . They are among the preferent blossom of many intriguer and result planner - and it ’s in reality also one of my favorites . Over the years , we have seen that the Asiatics and Orientals have become more democratic . And a positive thing is that they are still exclusive - not see as something usual . I think growers have done a good line of work in keeping its value . "
Exclusive productAnd at Arbusta , they are eager to keep it seen as an undivided product and even contribute to making it a more exclusive product . " Next to our best sellers Starfighter and Siberia , we also have some exclusive varieties in the assortment , like Flashpoint , Tabledance and Concador . On top of that , we are always on the watch for new lily salmagundi , specially for the different seasons . "
Siberia ( left ) and Starfighter ( right )
From bulb to lily to customerMost of the bulbs are imported from the Netherlands in containers . Then , they are grow on 10 ha and after harvest brought to their processing area , where they will be prepared for transport .
" We pack them in our customize sleeves and box and we have three presentations ; twenty-five percent , halves and hampers ( wet packs ) " . With this latter presentation , they started just recently . " In Ecuador , where one often can not control the logistics , blind drunk - packs is not an attractive option for many growers , but as we have an stock-taking in Miami ( since 2009 ) we can manage to do it . It started with a requirement of one of our customers , to send the flower at a second more open stage . Now , we can offer more clients this , more sole , choice . "
But before the lilies leave the farm , they stay for 4 to 12 hours in the " hydration expanse " . " We invest in a hydration system that allows us to warrant the quality of the product , we cut to the altitude requested by the client , process and at once placed in water " .
What makes the lilies special?90 - 95 percent of Arbusta ’s lilies go to the US , but what makes their lilies different from all other lily ? " Due to Ecuador ’s climatic conditions and altitude , we are capable to grow a bit bigger lilies than the lilies get from Costa Rica , which is probably our biggest competitor . On top of that , we invest a lot in publicity and we can put up the lily in different cut stages for different customers . We can all hold in it on farm level . "
Grupo ArbustaGrupo Arbusta is one of the oldest and with child farm in Ecuador and was demonstrate in 1984 . Over the years , they have produced many unlike potpourri of blossom and 20 years ago , they commence to resolve on three crops , namely rose wine , lilies and carnations . These merchandise are grown at 6 farms ( Arbusta for Roses and Agritab for Lilies and Carnation ) on a total land area of 70 ha . Since 2009 , they are selling their varieties in Miami and opened their own inventory in 2016 . " We now can add our clients faster . "
Eager to see the variety of Grupo Arbusta , visit their booth # 64 at the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association ( WF&FSA ) , which will be held in Miami ( FL ) , from November 5 - 7 , 2019 .
For more informationGrupo ArbustaJuan Pablo PonceT ; +1 301 760 7107Email:[email protected]www.grupo - arbusta.com
© FloralDaily.com/Elita Vellekoop
