"Once you start in the flower business, there is no way back"

Aleksandra Andrzejewska left Poland five years ago in order to start her work at the Colombian rose growers of Circasia and Vuelven. She contributed to FloralDaily the following blog about her South American venture.

by Aleksandra Andrzejewska

5 Years ago I decided to move to Colombia from Poland. The country with two coasts attracts with biodiversity, smell and colors of plants, and, above all with the fact that the climate doesn’t change here during the year; the coasts are always hot and humid and in the cool high Andean mountains you can always experience September weather. This climate, on the plateau around Bogota, at the altitude of 2600 m above the sea level, is perfect for growing colorful, beautiful roses, carnations and other blooming beauties all year long.

Weather that remains the same, lots of sun as well as the joy and enthusiasm put into the care of the roses, make Colombia a real Land of Flowers. Bogota’s suburbs are literally covered with roses and in Medellin city every year they organize a flowery procession, where volunteers – los silleteros – carry sophisticated and minutiously plaited flower arrangements.

If I had to choose once again what to do, I would again choose rose export at Vuelven and Circasia. In Colombia they believe flowers have some kind of magic and once you start working in the flower business, there is no way back. This magic can be seen on both of our farms – every morning the same people cut and prepare roses for shipments and the same women select with their delicate hands the best buds and stems for all the clients.

I started my adventure at Vuelven and Circasia 5 years ago and since then I have been connecting Colombia with Poland using beautiful, long and colorful roses. I work in beautiful, always green surroundings and every day I see hummingbirds visiting the farms and flowers. My work helped me see that, just like music, flowers tender customs and unite people in different intentions.

The work is definitely not always a bed of roses. It starts frequently before sunrise, with confirmations of customers’ needs. Then, we do our best at both farms, to fulfill their wishes and quality parameters, so the roses arrive safe and unharmed at the Amsterdam airport. At the same time, it is rewarding to know, that Polish gentlemen look for our long, red roses to give them to the women of their lives and moms enjoy the long lasting roses on Mother's Days.

For more information:
www.civuelven.com