In the back, Mount Kenya under snow.
Heavy rainfall
According to Viljoen, Kenya usually has to deal with a rain season in April, but this year, it has been more extreme. "In our region, we usually have to deal with about 300 millimeters of rainfall in the rain season. This year, however, 400 millimeters of rain fell. However, this is in our region. We are in the Northern Part of Kenya and on a high altitude (Timau) and we usually have to deal with less rain. The amount of rain was probably higher in the Lower or central parts of Kenya, like Nakura, Nairobi and Naivasha", says Viljoen.
Drop in production
Due to the heavy rains, the production dropped. "Usually, during the rain season the production volumes decrease as the temperatures are lower", says Viljoen. However, due to the heavy rainfalls over the last month,the production decreased even further as the occurrence of diseases, like botrytis and downy mildew, increased. "Many farms had to deal with a 30-40% production drop. Fortunately, as we are located on a higher altitude, our production decreased by 5-10%."
Peter Viljoen at the FlowersExpo in Moscow, Russia.
Upholding quality
El Niño was well indicated as a potential problem, therefore many farms could take precautionary measures before the heavy rains started. The same goes for Sunland Roses. "We apply disease control spraying programs in both a preventive and curative way. However, I believe more in probiotics than in antibiotics. If the plant is a healthy plant of itself, it is more resistant to diseases. This approach entails a good planning and it all boils down to good management", he says.
Greenhouse damage
The heavy rains also damaged the greenhouses. According to Viljoen, the rain mostly damages the plastic coverage. There have been days with 40 millimeters of rainfall in an hour. Consequently, the gutters are flooding, which damaged the plastic at some growers', especially the ones who have an older greenhouse. "So, before the heavy rains started, many changed the plastic coverage, where necessary, to avoid leakages inside the greenhouses. Besides that, the gutters were checked as they needed to be clean to ensure a correct flow and drainage of rain water," he says.
The Sunland Roses farm
Infrastructure
Again, good management and planning is needed when looking at the damaged infrastructure. According to Viljoen, due to the heavy rains, the infrastructure to the airport was damaged. "In order to deliver the flowers on time, the drivers have to leave a bit earlier. And in order to deliver the flowers in the same state as when they leave the farm, we instructed the drivers to be more aware and careful on their way", he says.
Weather forecast
For the coming weeks, the weather forecast looks better. However, the growers still need to be careful. "There is still a lot of moisture in the air. So, we still need to be vigilant and careful."
For more info
rmationSunland Roses
Peter Viljoen
Email: peter@sunlandroses.com
www.sunlandroses.com