Q-iRose
This year, Graff Breeding started to market the genetics of Q-genetics. Elvira Rose produced finished potted roses for many years and is now ready to supply their joint Q-genetic genetics to the world. "The cooperation between Graff Breeding and Elvira in our joint company Q-genetics has been fantastic. Both parties brought in their own core competencies, and the goal has been clear from the start in 2012; we want to develop Roses that meet the demand from the modern and critical consumer”, says Graff. The genetics will be available to the growers world wide in 2017 and will be sold under the name Q-iRose, in line with their HibisQs and Q-ismas poinsettias series. "The use of the 'Q' in the name characterizes Graff Breeding. So, we hope the Q-iRose can free-ride on our established reputation", says Graff.
On January 24, 2017 (the evening after the first day of the IPM Essen), Graff received the golden award at the AIPH International Grower of the Year award in the category young plants. The jury said the following: "This company has a solid breeding program and has raised a strong hibiscus which suits a wide range of growers worldwide. This is quite an achievement."
Novelty award
On the second day of the IPM Essen, that was held from 24-27 January, they received the the IPM novelty award for their new mini HibisQs® Petit."It is a strong plant with a lot of buds and it keeps blooming", says Graff. Currently, we grow this flower in a 13 cm pot in our greenhouse in Denmark and we put the first test plants on the market in fall 2016. The demand was higher then expected. "We have put 2000 samples on the market at one customer one weekend last year and they sold all of them, at least 1998. Two were not registration as we think they might have been stolen or disappeared", laughs Graff. Currently, they are speeding up the production. The demand is high, so in order to meet the demand, we need to reach a weekly production of 10,000 plants.
Helle Graff holding the novelty award for their Mini HibisQs® Petit™. (She is standing behind the mini HibisQs®)
Q-Deville - new Mandevilla series
Next to the Q-iRose, Graff Breeding broadening their assortment with a Mandevilla. Over the last five years, they have been investing in breeding a Mandevilla series, the so-called Q-Deville. According to Graff, the plants in this new series are strong, more compact and do not, like regular Mandevilla, have to be supported / winding when growing. The series is not on the commercial market yet, but they are planning to put the first samples on the market in 2018
For more information
Graff Kristensen A/S
Helle Graff
Email: hg@graff.dk
www.graff-breeding.com