Volcano eruption, rains, IFTEX, FleuroStar Award and more...

The first weeks of June 2018 was mostly dominated by weather related news. A volcano erupted in Guatemala and in Hawaii which damaged and even destroyed some farms. Unfortunately, people in the region were heavily affected and in Guatemala, Dümmen Orange reported two employees missing at their farm. Besides, also Turkey was hit by heavy rains, that also damaged greenhouses. 

Fortunately, there was also some good weather, in Sweden for example. However, this impacted the Mother's Day (May 27) bouquet sales. At Axfood, they were a little disappointing.

But more happened this first half of June 2018, like the IFTEX in Nairobi, Kenya, the start of the FlowerTrials, the first edition of the Garden Trials and Trade and the FleuroStar Award for Osteospermum ecklonis Purple Sun from Selecta One.

See below the complete overview:

Good weather impacted sales on Swedish Mother's Day

The sun might be shining for mothers in Sweden at this year’s Mother’s Day (May 27, 2018), sales were a little bit disappointing, according to Henrik Astrom of Axfood. “We had really good weather, which had an impact on the sales of especially the mixed bouquets.” On the bright side the Phaleanopsis did a.....

Jürgen von den Driesch, Brandkamp:

"The pieces from the cake will be smaller for every crop"

For many years, Fuchsias and Lantanas have been among the biggest items in the Brandkamp breeding program. The Fuchsia range "Jollies" and the Lantana range "Tropic Lantana" is popular in Europe and abroad as well, Jürgen von den Driesch of Brandkamp tells us. Like many other traditional bedding plants,.....

Video: Lava destroys greenhouses in Hawaii

On June 2, lava from the Kilauea eruption in Hawaii engulfed Kapoho, Hawaii. One of the buildings affected was this greenhouse:(Hawaii Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. John Schoebel/Released) The building was photographed from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a mission to survey possible landing zones.....

"The flower business is becoming faster and more transparent"

Royal Flowers opens sales office in the Netherlands

It is actually a logical step, explains Wilco Visser, the new branch of the Ecuadorian Royal Flowers company in the Netherlands. "More than 60 percent of production is exported to Canada and the US. From the Netherlands we can better serve the European market, allowing us to diversify our customer base. Our.....

Guatemala: Greenhouses covered in ash, airport reopened

On Sunday, the Fuego Volcano in Guatemala erupted, expelling 8 kilometers of lava and a thick column of black smoke and ash that rained down on the capital of the country and other regions. Greenhouses in the area have been covered by a layer ash. So far, the international press report 69 fatalities, a.....

Turkey: Greenhouses in Yalova damaged by heavy rain

Plant and vegetable greenhouses in the Kocadere region in Yalova, one of the main pot plant production areas in Turkey, were damaged by heavy rain and subsequent flood. Yalova is located in northwestern Turkey, and this small city is filled with greenhouses. Growers there have sustained significant damages as.....

New eruption of Vulcano Fuego

Guatemala: Dümmen Orange worried about missing employees

Yesterday, volcano Fuego erupted again, which resulted in a stream of lava on the south side of the volcano. National and international press report that more villages have been evacuated, but also rescue workers that were still trying to find life after Sunday, and journalists as well. Guatemala's.....

US (FL): Miami Flower Experience connects buyers with importers

The “Miami Flower Experience” presented by AFIF: America’s Flower Connection, directed by Christine Boldt, took place May 31st to June 1st, 2018. It was an event for floral buyers to connect with Miami flower importers who were the hosts. Attendees participated and.....

Jean-Yves Coulbault, Sicamus:

It's (almost) all in the name

"We invest a lot of time in finding the right names for our new hydrangea varieties and all the work is finally bearing fruit", says Commercial Director Jean-Yves Coulbault of Sicamus. With their recently introduced 'Deko Pots', they notice that the name is an important marketing tool - particularly for.....

Photo report IFTEX 2018

In terms of roses, the IFTEX might well be the most important show in the world. With possibly a few exceptions, all major suppliers from Kenya, from Ethiopia and also from the other East African countries Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania were present at the show's 7th edition. In addition to growers, an.....

Netherlands: Center of floriculture this week

The FlowerTrials 2018 kicked off today and it is again larger than last year. Italian Gruppo Padana, Danish Roses Forever and Danish Queen Genetics are the newcomers and they bring the number of participants to 60. Dalina Genetics has been taken over and does not participate as a separate entity anymore.....

US (HI): Lava lays orchid farms to waste

It’s been a challenging few years for farmers on the Big Island. They’ve been hit with natural disasters from tropical storms, hurricanes, and now lava. But they say this time is much different, and it will take even longer to recover. A number of farmers say they were still dealing with debt they racked up.....

Guatemala: Two Dümmen Orange employees still missing

Two employees of Dümmen Orange have been missing for ten days now, since volcano Fuego erupted in Guatemala on June the 3rd. "Because their homes are buried under the ash, it's a very dark scenario," Nicolette Staver, Corporate Communication Specialist at the Dutch breeder, told Dutch newspaper AD. She.....

NL: First edition Garden Trials and Trade in pictures

Exhibitors and the organization are pleased with the first edition of Garden Trials and Trade. Visitors from all over the world found their way to the Dutch town of Boskoop. Several orders were made on the spot and the exhibitors were happy with this new podium for woody plants and perennials.....

Osteospermum Purple Sun wins FleuroStar Award

The FleuroStar Award 2018/19 goes to Osteospermum ecklonis Purple Sun from Selecta One. Breeder Maike Boxriker accepted the prize from FleuroStar Committee Chairman Heike Gronemann and Fleuroselect President ad interim Jean-François Ignasse. Osteospermum Purple Sun from Selecta One was competing against.....