It takes quite a few years for a new variety to make it to commercial level, which is why introducing six new roses in one go is an impressive achievement in itself. At the upcoming IFTF in Vijfhuizen, Select Breeding will highlight these novelties.
Brothers Michael and Dennis de Geus in the show greenhouse at Nini Flowers
All six of them have proven themselves in trials and are commercially available. All varieties were initially developed in the greenhouse in Klazienaveen, the Netherlands, and then tested in Africa for several years. Over the last year, the latter has been done in a show greenhouse at Nini Flowers in Naivasha, a facility that Select Breeding runs together with three other breeders.
Left Red Bentley, right Blue Lagoon
The roses not only meet all the qualities that breeders, growers, and consumers typically demand, but also show a nice spread in terms of markets to approach, company owner Michael de Geus tells us. In African rose growing, a distinction is often made between varieties for retail and varieties for wholesale, with the latter being grown at (high) altitudes but in smaller numbers, while the other category is usually grown in larger numbers at lower altitude facilities.
Left Suncatcher, right Bloozs
The large orange rose Suncatcher was planted by Maridadi and will be available next spring via Kneppers Rozen. The yellow-red Firefox was planted by Timaflor and scores very well in production both at altitude and on lower-lying farms. The pink-white Bloosz was planted by three growers and is already in full color at an early stage. Thanks to Equinox and Flower Business Support at Rijnsburg, the Ducati is now aivalable in truly large numbers. The exclusive lavender-colored, heart-shaped Blue Lagoon is being marketed by Omang. And finally, the luxurious Red Bentley has been planted by several growers in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Left Firefox, right Ducati
"In short, we have something to show," Michael concludes. "We frequently visit our direct customers, i.e., the African growers, at their nurseries in, and there is also a lot of contact regarding trials and crop monitoring. But a step further down the chain we also need to be seen, which is why we are happy to be present at the show again this time."
For more information:
Michael de Geus
Select Breeding B.V. 
De kwakel 30
7891 XD, Klazienaveen
Tel.: +31 612700810
Email: [email protected]
www.selectbreeding.nl