Category: Featured Past Articles

Listening to the continuity announcer, she announced weather forecast for the next five days as cloudy, cool and rainy weather conditions. These low light, humid conditions combined with a near full greenhouse floral crops meant Botrytis blight outbreaks. My crop was especially vulnerable now since they had a full flower canopy filled to the maximum allowable space.

Immediately, my Production Manager called me, “we are in danger of contracting Botrytis”, he started. “Botrytis is a fungal disease that can cause leaf spots, petiole blighting and stem cankers on

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As the curtain of the 4th edition of the International Floriculture Trade Expo (IFTEX) 2015 opens from 3rd to 5th June, there will be no room for any shortcoming that may hamper its success. All minds and hands that know what it entails have been up and down trying to put different pieces together to make what can be seen as the true spirit of the regional horticultural industry.

The event, since its inception in 2012 has continued to aggressively spread its tentacles world over, luring to its importance the most reputed and less comparable companies in various businesses of sorts.

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As the air cargo industry is gearing up, newer markets in Latin America and Africa are opening up for exports. And Europe still continues to be a major importer of this commodity. The flower industry is very crucial to air cargo. Probably, because it is one of the few commodities that can still provide positive margins to the business.

“On average, we see an increase in production of 3-5 percent per year, which is higher than the global growth levels. It is important to mention that the industry continues to innovate on for example growing methods or packaging. It also continues to innovate and explore new species to be produced,” says Pieter Fopma, Air France-KLM cargo director for perishables.

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It was pomp and dance as flower growers welcomed the entry of a first class nematicide for ornamental products. The launch came with an almost audio recorded oratory of Marcel Breedeveld, Product development Manager, Europe Africa Middle East, Lawn and Gardens not previously heard in Kenya.

In a more theatrical way, Mr. Breedeveld said, “In today’s growing environment- with constantly shifting social, economical, environmental and market priorities, every grower would vote for a product with significant crop enhancement effects through increased root mass and greening effect on leaves. In addition it should lead to more vigorous, healthier and higher yielding crops”.

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Who is Andrew Tubei? (Background-personal and as a grower)

I am the production and Technical Manager of Maasai flowers, one of the units of Sian group of farms. I’m enterprising and multi skilled grower with more than 13 years in the production of roses, Zantedeschia/ Calla lily and summer flowers. I believe in working objectively and business first mind frame which in turn helps me to improve efficiency, effectiveness and productivity. I work in a challenging and dynamic position with a solid firm that recognizes individual growth and personal contribution to the realization of company objectives.

 

You have been growing and selling flowers for most of your professional life, if you would have to give your remarks about being a grower, what would they be?

The production of cut flowers is both capital and knowledge – intensive. Due to the extreme sensitivity of the product, professional management and constant vigilance is needed during all phases of growing, packaging and shipping. Because fresh cut- flowers do not undergo any processing between harvesting and sale, growers are essentially producing a finished product. Cut flowers sold in direct markets often retain the identity of the individual grower, and growers who can successfully differentiate their products can attain profit levels far in excess of other producers.

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