Higher sales
According to Ryg, the schlumbergeras market in Europe has been under pressure for a couple of years now. However, this year, the demand is higher than usual. "The main reason for this increase is the fact that a large Dutch schlumbergera grower filed for bankruptcy last year. Besides that, some other growers had some problems with their propagation materials. As a consequence less schlumbergeras are on the market this season which results in higher sales for all other growers. Also for us. Next week, our schlumbergeras will be sold out, which is usually quite uncommon," says Ryg.
Higher prices
Due to the high demand, the average prices are also higher than usual. "The season had a slow start for the growers who started to put their plants on the market in August and September, due to the warm weather. Therefore, they had to sell them for promotional prices. Fortunately, from October on - when we also started to put our schlumbergeras on the market - the demand and also the prices increased," says Ryg. According to Ryg, the average price is around 3 percent higher compared to last year. "This is mainly because we didn't have to sell them for promotional prices."
No potted roses for Christmas
The main crop of Rosa Danica is the potted rose, but for Christmas they hardly supply any of them. From week 5 till week 27 this crop is in full production. Afterwards the daily trade decreases and from week 40 onward, the daily trade is minimal. "As there is no demand and the production costs are higher than the price for which it will be sold, we stop producing the potted roses during this time of the year. Then, we will only produce potted roses on request," says Ryg. Currently, they are preparing for Valentine's Day, an important day for the potted roses. "We've just planted the cuttings," he says.
Rosa Danica
Next to schlumbergeras and potted roses, Rosa Danica also grows own bred campanulas from week 1 till week 40. According to Ryg, this is a perfect combination; many buyers usually purchase potted roses and campanulas at the same time and when the season is over for these plants, Rosa Danica starts growing schlumbergeras. As said before, the main crop is the potted rose. These roses are being grown in 6 cm pots, which has small flowers and is called Classic and 10,5 cm pots, which are available with small (Classic) or large (Grande) flowers. Since February 2015, Rosa Danica started to grow scented pot roses, around 5% of their production consists of this variety. These scented roses are bred by Kordes Roses, a German breeder of cut, garden and potted roses. "Over the last few months, the popularity of this variety quickly increased and is expected to increase even further in the future," says Ryg.
For more information
Rosa Danica
Torben Ryg
Email: tr@rosa-danica.dk
www.rosa-danica.dk