It attracted a lot of attention at IFTEX 2024, it was baptized at IFTF 2024 and the breeder will take reservations at IFTEX 2025. The variety in question is spray rose Rosa Loves Me® Radiant Rebecca of Viking Roses Kenya.
Rosa Loves Me® Radiant Rebecca
When it was presented at the IFTEX 2024, the interest was large, says Angeline Abuti, Selection and Marketing Manager at Viking Kenya "Since that show, everybody has wanted the budwood, but we had decided to keep the lid on". She aknowledges that it is a very challenging approach for a relatively 'young' breeding company, after investing some 25 years in the cut rose breeding. "The same attitude has been used for Rosa Loves Me® Inger Kristine in Kenya and is presently adopted in South America for Rosa's Amazing® Just a Little Bit More."
At the top: Rosa Loves Me® Inger Kristine (stand of Molo River Roses and greenhouse of Credible Blooms). At the bottom: Rosa's Amazing® Just a Little Bit More (Agrogana, Ecuador)
At the IFTEX, hower, the variety was not named yet. That took place a couple of months later, in November at the IFTF where it was baptized by Mrs Kotut of Karen Roses, to honour her contribution to the industry. Shy and smiling, as always, she did not want to be in the spotlight, as always, but was pushed centre-stage by her former trainee, now MD of mZurri, Andrew Wambua.
Mrs Rebecca Kotut, Andrew Wambua and Viking breeder Rosa Eskelund
And this year, from June 3-5, Viking Roses will again be present at IFTEX (stand A2.08) and now they will take reservations for Radiant Rebecca, Angeline says. "When buyers' reactions continue as they have started, we'll allow more to meet the demand. And this is just one of our Vikings, because at our stand, we will have more introductions."
As for the stand itself, Viking Roses prefers substance over spectacle. "We're not aiming for a flashy centerpiece or elaborate display," the team explains. "Our focus remains on our products and the open trials in Nakuru, where our breeding program quietly advances. It's built on garden and pot rose genetics, careful selection, and the controlled introduction of Rosa Loves Me® spray roses, large-headed garden types, and highly productive standards."
For more information:
Viking Roses
John Pouw
[email protected]
www.VikingRoses.com