With retailers in the EU and UK seeking brighter red rose varieties, Kenyan grower Shalimar Fresh is seeing early success with Revolution® from De Ruiter Innovations. According to the grower, its vivid color, good head size, and strong vase life make it a strong candidate to meet shifting market demands.
Bright red
"This rose, with its unique color and shape, stands out compared to other reds in our portfolio," says Arun Mishra, Head of Marketing at Shalimar Fresh. The company is targeting retail clients, especially in the UK and EU, who are moving away from traditional reds in favor of brighter hues.
"So far, feedback from florists, wholesalers, and retailers has been very positive," he adds. "The bright red color, excellent head size, and long vase life make it a promising addition to the market."
Performance
General Manager of Operations, Natarajan, says growing results have also been strong. "Getting a true bright red is difficult, but De Ruiter has delivered. There's nothing quite like it right now."
The variety shows a 45–52 day growth cycle under Naivasha conditions. "It is performing well in hydroponics. While the first two flushes produce large stems and leaves, by the third flush the plant reaches optimal structure for disease management and consistent quality when grown in soil. We're aiming for a 4 cm head size, good opening, and reliable vase life," says Natarajan.
Collaboration
The partnership with De Ruiter East Africa has been close from the start. "We worked hand-in-hand with them from small trials to commercial trials," Natarajan explains. Once the commercial trial succeeded, Shalimar Fresh quickly transitioned into full-scale production.
Looking ahead, the collaboration is set to continue. "Yes, of course there are plans for future varieties," Natarajan confirms. "We believe in maintaining a win-win situation. Our success is their success."
Confident
Shalimar Fresh is confident in the variety's future. "Demand for bright red is high, and Revolution has the right look and performance," says Mishra. "We expect it to deliver strong sales per square meter."
For more information:
Royal De Ruiter
www.deruiter.com