Norway’s National Day, celebrated on May 17, is the most important day for plant and flower sales, with a big demand for pot roses. Despite the COVID-19 situation, Blomsterringen, one of Norway's largest pot plant wholesalers, is looking forward to this day as sales of their pot roses are currently already above the average level.
Blomsterringen at the Roses Forever display at the FlowerTrials in 2018 where they spotted the Infinity pot roses and shortly after asked Roses Forever to offer license to grow to two of their growers in Norway.
Sales above usual April
The good weather for the time of the year, no snow, and the fact that many people are at home due to the COVID-19 situation, seem to have a good influence on the demand for plants in Norway. “We sold more pot roses than usual this April and we could even have sold more units”, says Gudmund Baustad, CEO of Blomsterringen, who was also pleased with the prices, which were according to him “OK”. “People are during the pandemic and nice weather probably spending more time in the garden.”
Good hopes for May
With this, we can say, unexpected increase in sales for April, Baustad has good hopes for the coming month. “Usually, this is the month with the highest sales due to the celebration of Norway’s National Day on May 17.
Locally grown pot roses
An important plant they supply for Norway’s National Day is the pot rose, which they only buy from local growers, due to the high import taxes. For several months now, this wholesaler buys Norwegian grown ‘Infinity’ and Norwegian grown ‘Sweet Home Roses’, both pot rose series of rose breeder Rosa Eskelund of Roses Forever from Denmark.
Situation in Denmark
And when talking about Denmark, how are things there? Rosa: “Also Thoruplund, the Danish grower of Infinity roses, sell all their roses, but as for many growers, it is a little more difficult as the price is lower than usual; they are missing a part of the export to Germany.”
Infinity roses for Mother's Day. "Especially Infinity roses are in great demand for Mother's Day", says Rosa.
But hopes for the coming weeks are high. “On Sunday May 10 this year, Mother’s day will be celebrated in Denmark, as well as in many other European countries. Then, prices are expected to increase.
Picture from AE-Roses. Young plants on the way to Norway from AE-Roses Denmark
Young plants sold as well
The Infinity young plants supplied to the Norwegian (2 at the moment), but also other growers around the world are grown and supplied by AE - Roses. "Fortunately, also in this link of the chain all roses are sold for prices that were agreed in advance."
From left to right: Pink Infinity (There are 7 colours in the series), Sweet Home Roses, here Sweet Day ready to plant, and Sweet Summer and Sweet Family planted in big pots in the garden.
Infinity and Sweet Home Roses, what's the difference?
According to Rosa, the Infinity pot roses are the most demanded pot roses in her assortment for Mother's Day, but what is actually the difference between the Infinity and the Home Sweet Home Roses? "Infinity pot roses are grown on their own roots from cuttings, culture time 10 weeks from cuttings to flowering pot plant. Most used pot sizes 10-15 cm. Sweet Home Roses are grown first 1.5 years in the field outdoor, then the bare rooted plants are delivered and forced from 5-7 weeks in local greenhouses around the world. It is a special garden rose selection, to be potted and sold in flower, before the normal garden roses are flowering. 3-4 l pots."
For more information
Roses Forever
Rosa Eskelund
T: +45 51 57 19 90
Email: re@roses-forever.com
www.roses-forever.com