Gearing up for 2023, the Suntory Flowers team visited four partner farms earlier this month to see how production is looking for the coming season. "We are pleased to report the crops look good and we don’t anticipate any shortages", Delilah Onofrey of Suntory explains. They started in Costa Rica with Kientzler and then visited three farms in the Cuernavaca region of Mexico, namely Vivero International, Plant Source International and Floraplant.
Kientzler - Costa Rica
Kientzler’s Innovaplant is Suntory's primary URC farm. The farm is nestled on a former coffee plantation with a beautiful botanical garden on the property. They are producing the widest assortment of Suntory varieties and the largest volumes in key crops, such as Surfinia, Senetti, Soiree and Surdiva.
Kientzler overview
"Senetti is a finicky crop. Some challenges are variety specific. Suntory has been working closely with the Kientzler team to select varieties for stock performance in the Senetti Select program."
The team looking at the Senetti crop.
Soiree Kawaii catharanthus is one of their fastest growing crops and increasingly more growers are adding Surdiva scaevolas to their summer programs, she says.
On the left: Soiree Kawaii Red Shades and Surdiva crop on the right. Click here fot he enlargement of the picture.
Vivero International - Mexico
Vivero has become a close partner for Suntory Flowers. In addition to being an unrooted source for Sun Parasol mandevillas, most of their Princettia cuttings will be produced here next year.
Dennis Hitzigrath shows the difference in two Soiree Kawaii cuttings, with a flower and without.
Vivero has been a champion of Granvia bracteantha, now available in four colors.
Princettia stock is building for next year. Stay tuned for new varieties!
Sun Parasol Original and Garden varieties are available as unrooted and callused cuttings.
Floraplant
In addition to being a finished plant producer in Mexico, Floraplant produces stock for Quality Cuttings. "They see great potential in the Senetti, Soiree and Sun Parasol lines."
Carolos Martinez and Lorentina McKoy discuss the Soiree Kawaii catharanthus crop.
Lofos lophospermum, a unique flowering vine, is a great spiller for mixed containers.
Floraplant is another source for Sun Parasol Original and Garden varieties.
Summer Wave torenias are our go-to plant for shade! Choose from the more compact Bouquet or trailing varieties.
Plant Source International (PSI)
"Our relationship with PSI began when owner Troy Lucht was a rooting licensee for his family business, Malmborg’s in Minnesota. He knows our line well and his team is doing job getting behind key crops", Onofrey says.
The Suntory Flowers team gathers for a group picture during our last stop.
"Soiree Flamenco stock is looking great! This newer line caught more attention this year at Cultivate and earned an Athens Select award at University of Georgia."
Surfinia petunias are the flagship brand that launched Suntory Flowers 33 years ago.
Immediately after harvest, cuttings are transported in a cooler to prepare for shipping.
Click here to download the 2023 Suntory catalog.
For more information:
Suntory Flowers
Delilah Onofrey
Marketing Director
440-522-1447
[email protected]
www.suntoryflowers.com