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For the sixth year in a row, Kenya is set to host the International Flower Trade Expo (IFTEX), slated for June 7-9 at the Oshwal Centre, Parklands, Nairobi.

PS Dr. Richard Lesiyampe visit KEPHIS StandCurrently, IFTEX is at par with other important flower exhibitions organized by HPP which include World Floral Expo (USA), Agriflor (Quito, Ecuador), and the International Floriculture Trade Fair (Vijfhuizen, Holland), all that are key activities in the flower industry calendar. Since IFTEX opened its doors here in 2012, there has been a steady pattern of target visitors. Kenya’s flowers are a sensation in the US going by the interest the Kenya pavilion attracted during the World Floral Expo in Las Vegas (US) held early this year. This year’s show comes amidst renewed focus in the country following the classification of JKIA to Category A status enabling direct flights to the US from Nairobi. The two make US the main target this year.

It has been costly and lengthy to ship the country’s flowers to the world’s biggest market after the EU. “Owing to the availability of the flights, we expect more American buyers in Nairobi next month going by confirmed visits and increasing inquiries”, says Dick Van Raamsdonk. Nobody can deny the fact that in this year’s show the catchphrase will be, “Buyers from America’’.

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Bellissima’s exclusive assortment of roses have large flower-heads of average 6cm and long sturdy stems of average 80cm – 100cm.

Mt Kenya, Africa’s second highest peak, forms an imposing background while majestically staring down at the idyllic expanse of Timau near Nanyuki in Kenya. It is amidst this picturesque setting that Chui Farm, the newest venture by AAA Growers is located. Chui Farm produces some of the most exclusive and exceptional Kenyan roses under the brand name Bellissima; which fittingly translates to “Gorgeous Lady” in Italian.

Bellisssima premium Kenyan roses are unpacked and sold through auction in Europe by Flower Optimal Connection and direct sales to other parts of the world. Flower Optimal has many years experience offering strategic solutions and efficient unpacking services to growers from Kenya, Ethiopia, Israel and other countries. The farm currently has 20 hectares under production with a further 10 hectare expansion under development and projected to be operational before the close of 2017.

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Mt. Kenya region is extremely scenic with the escarpment giving way to dramatic wooded gorges and tangled riverine thickets. Behind the scenery flower farming is a big business. Maurice Koome Writes.

Due to the diverse range of habitats, Laikipia hosts an abundance of wildlife, second only to the Masai Mara in Kenya. It has significant populations of predators and also the “big five”, with over 50% of Kenya’s Black and White Rhinos, thousands of elephants, about 25% of the world’s Grevy Zebras, and an increasing population of Wild Dogs. The focus of wildlife viewing here is in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

More than great Scenery
When I first met Mr. Kanyingi, Editor Floriculture Magazine in one of our product launches at a Nanyuki Hotel, he was full of lamentations. “Mt. Kenya is more than Snowy Mountain”, I answered. “Yes I know, it is the most accessible, and popular with Johnnies. The Timau and Nanyuki triangle is characterised by diverse landscapes, rolling hills interrupted by rocky outcrops intricately merged into beautiful scenery reminiscent of a canvas painting.

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After climbing one great hill, one only realizes that there are many more mountains to climb’. This old adage attributed to one of African greats rings true in pest management. The past few decades has seen the rise and spread of thrips in greenhouse farming, hitherto a minor pest, to become the most destructive insect pests of the greenhouses. Thrips hits growers where it hurts most! Writes Simon Kihungu

Thrips are minute, slender insects, usually only a few millimetres long with piercingsucking- mouthparts and the ability to cause direct damage to flowers making it unmarketable for export.

Thrips have piercing-sucking mouthparts. They use a needle-like structure to puncture plant tissue and a second tube-like structure which is placed into the hole through which plant sap is extracted, subsequently causing direct damage to the crop.

In Flowers there are mainly two types of Thrip species that attack roses, carnations and other flowers. The western flower thrips (Franklieniela occidentalis) and Thrips tabaci also known as Onion thrip. These thrips species mainly feed on both leaves and flower petals with the majority of their damage to roses occurring throughout the growing period of the flowers.

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Why Buyers Should Flock Nakuru
You might think of Nakuru as an ultimate “Cereal region” by victim of being the Kenya’s biggest producer of barley and wheat, but over the past one decade it has become famous for a rather more fragrant crop.

Nakuru is the country’s secondlargest exporter of cut flowers, 80 per cent of which are roses. It is an industry that employed about 35,000 people and generated about 25% of flower business last year. According to generated stories, Nakuru’s success comes down to its latitude: only on the equator, so the story goes, do roses grow perfectly straight. But, attractive though it sounds, this is a myth, according to researchers. “Nakuru is a great place to cultivate roses, but they are no straighter,” says Mr. Andrew Wambua, General Manager, Molo River Farm. “The real advantage is that you get natural light all year round, so you can grow anytime and don’t have to use a lot of artificial illumination.”

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“Bringing Colour to the Lives of Children and Communities”
Dutch Flower Foundation supports Local projects in Africa

The 30 Dutch Flower Group companies operate worldwide, including in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Uganda. This globally operating horticulture concern from the Netherlands is keen to put something back in the local communities in areas where they operate. When Dutch Flower Group was established in 1999, the management board immediately set up its own foundation, through which Dutch Flower Group supports a range of local projects, including in Africa. “The establishment of Dutch Flower Foundation ensured that from the start in 1999 we were able to support projects financially,” according to Dutch Flower Foundation’s chairman Boudewijn Rip. “We do this mainly in areas where the growers we work with are situated. We also support projects in areas where Dutch Flower Group companies are situated and in regions where our employees live.”

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