At the United Selections showhouse in Nakuru, Kenya, three standout rose varieties are catching the attention of visiting growers and buyers. Elvis Musyoka, Sales Manager at United Selections, walks us through Hot Wave, Rise & Shine, and Nova Vita, three promising varieties that are taking their place in the international market.
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
The team of United Selections with the Rise & Shine variety in their showhouse in Nakuru, Kenya
A thornless hot pink
Hot Wave, introduced last year, is already gaining traction with farms across Kenya and Latin America. "It's thornless, long, and user-friendly," says Elvis. "Stems are strong, so pack rates are good and with high freight costs, that really matters."
Pink continues to be one of the top five rose colors globally, and Hot Wave hits the mark with its hot pink color. "We're seeing it transition quickly from trials to full commercial production. A lot is going to South America," he adds. For growers aiming for efficiency and color trends, this variety checks all the boxes.
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
Hot Wave
A yellow contender
Yellow roses are notoriously tricky to grow, but Rise & Shine might be the exception. "Yellow has always been a challenge, but with Rise & Shine, we've found a lesser devil," Elvis laughs. "It's a good, normal rose with long stems, fewer thorns, and high productivity."
Elvis emphasizes the economics behind the breeding. "As much as people don't want to talk about it, farms survive on volumes. Costs are going up, so you need to produce more. That's exactly what Rise & Shine delivers."
Though yellow isn't the biggest color category, it's still a very important color for growers and the market, as it's used in mixed bouquets and for moments like Easter. "People say yellow's not a big color, but if you find more than 200 hectares of yellow on farms, how can it not be important?" he asks. "We think Rise & Shine will become the main yellow variety in the next five years."
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
Rise & Shine
A true white
Nova Vita is the last variety to discuss in this article, but certainly not the least. This white is performing strongly in both clock and direct markets. "It's a truly white variety, not just 'almost white' like many others," says Elvis. With more than 10 hectares already in production and expectations of up to 5 hectares from a single grower, Nova Vita is proving its commercial appeal.
The post-harvest characteristics are another strength, Elvis shares. "Vaselife is more than 14 days, head size is always above 5 cm, and botrytis resistance is almost zero, which is rare for white roses. Besides that the transport is good, the flowers are travelling well."
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
Elvis Musyoka of United Selections with Nova Vita
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.comNova Vita
For Elvis, these varieties reflect current market needs. "From hot pink to true white, these varieties are made for today's rose business," he says. "The pressure is real. Costs are rising, and growers need efficiency. If a rose performs well in the field and after harvest, that's where we can make the difference."
For more information:
United Selections
www.united-selections.com
