South America: 'Mutations preferred over new varieties'

New varieties or mutations of existing varieties? Which would you choose? Ecuadorian and Colombian growers seem to choose for mutations. According to Aviram Krell of Plantec Ecuador, a rose propagator, the mutations of Explorer and Mondial are being adopted very fast in the South American market.

Plantec represents five breeders in South America, namely Kordes Roses, Interplant, Fazari Rosaplants, Delbard Pepinieres, and Grandiflora.

Royal Explorer
Royal explorer is a new lighter mutation of Explorer, a variety of Interplant Roses. According to Krell, this mutation has received large interest from the Ecuadorian market due to the success of its mother Explorer. "Explorer has turned into the main red rose in Ecuador after the Russian market had chosen it for its long vase life, its complete opening, the color and its extraordinary shape. The European market has followed the Russian Market causing the demand for Explorer to increase exponentially in the last years. This last Valentines Explorer had the best prices for a red rose in the American market, about 20 cent more per stem compared to a Freedom stem. All this success is pushing markets to ask for big quantities of Royal Explorer although quantities are limited due to small amounts of bud wood."

Royal Explorer®

Pink Mondial
Plantec sees similar results for Pink Mondial, a mutation of Mondial, a variety of Kordes Roses. "It was introduced in 2016 and has seen an incredible acceptance in all the markets, most of the flowers for this summer are sold out despite the yearlong preparations done in the past year. Growers in Ecuador and Colombia are planting more Pink Mondial this year in order to supply the demand. Like Mondial, this almond pink rose has no damages during freighter transport, full opening and a long vase life. Another 2 mutations of Mondial are in different steps of the selection process. Additionally new trials in tint Pink Mondial are also in progress", says Krell.

Pink Mondial®

What's the reason for success?
"In our opinion the unusual success of these two varieties is due to growers preference in committing to plant varieties or mutations that are familiar. Providing the growers with more confidence over their investments instead of planting a new untested and unknown variety. Their risk is too high and the current market favors those who are prudent."

For more information

Plantec Ecuador
Aviram Krell
Email: public-relations@plantecuador.com
www.plantecuador.com