REDBRIDGE PRODUCE and Flowers has unveiled a range of exclusive narcissi, chrysanthemums and alstroemeria. The range was introduced at January's Spring Florist Event, in Birmingham.
Seven varieties of narcissus have been produced exclusively for Redbridge by Dutch grower De Kroon as part of its programme of continued investment in product development and commitment to customers.
The new varieties are: Chromacolour - a white single narcissus with a large deep coral trumpet; Monal - a dainty yellow narcissus with small orange trumpet; Pink Charm - a white narcissus with pale primrose trumpet fading to coral pink; High Society - a white narcissus with small primrose trumpet edged in deep coral; Monza - a deep yellow and orange double narcissus; Delnashaugh - a white and coral pink double narcissus; and Wedding Bell - a pure white narcissus.
They will not be available elsewhere as cut flowers and the varieties will be launched into the marketplace during the coming months.
This was the first time that the company had exhibited at the Spring Florist Event and it also took the opportunity to show off some exciting varieties of chrysanthemums. Many of these have been trialed exclusively by the breeder Deliflor.
The chrysanthemums on show included: Anastasia Bronze - a pale bronze spider standard; Hermitage - a clear pale bluey-pink full double spray; Espinal - a single deep yellow pompom spray; Anastasia Green - a mint green spider standard with ice-crystal tips to each petal; Zembla Cream - a buttery cream full double spray; Namba - a pure white spoon spray with green eye; Green Ed - a mint green quilled spray; Beverly - a magenta anemone spray; Macapa - a deep maroon anemone with pompom centre spray; and Managua Orange - a rich burnt orange single spray with green eye.
The company plans to continue to with Deliflor to trial new varieties throughout 2004. New varieties of alstroemeria were also on display at the event and will be offered through Redbridge's wholesale branches later in the year alongside exclusive varieties of roses.
Graeme Hinchley, commercial director at Redbridge Produce and Flowers, says: "We are committed to innovation and driving the market forward by reviewing and developing our ranges to ensure we have something different and special for florists to offer their customers. We are very excited about these new varieties of narcissi and chrysanthemums, and initial feedback from the SFE has been fantastic. One florist was so impressed he was down to our Bristol market on the Monday morning after the show."
F&PA IN BLUE PETER LINK
THE FLOWERS and Plants Association has revealed it is working with the popular BBC children's TV programme Blue Peter in a bid to inspire the next generation's interest in the flower industry.
The association was the first port of call for the long-running show, and it was pleased to be able to advise the show's production team on how the flower industry works.
With a regular audience of one million, Blue Peter has been educating young people in a fun and accessible way since 1962. One of the show's presenters will spend a day with association member Sells Florist. The presenter will experience a florist's typical day and learn about the supply chain from growing to arranging. The film will be made at a busy and exciting time of the year for the industry, the run up to Mother's Day.
Kate Kenyon, communications manager at the Association, says: "Blue Peter is just one of a number of programmes that the Flowers & Plants Association has worked with. We have enjoyed being involved in telling a younger audience what the flower industry is about and we hope that this will inspire them to join the industry."
INDIA’S ROSY FUTURE
AN INDIAN association forecasts that its rose exports to Europe and Japan are to bloom.
This follows better than expected demand for Indian roses during the recent Christmas season, and both growers and exporters expectations are high with Valentine's Day fast approaching.
The South India Floriculture Association (SIFA) announced in January that overall exports over the Christmas period were up by nearly 30 per cent, reaching almost 100 tonnes, or some three million stems. Exports from Bangalore accounted for around two thirds of this figure.
Mr Srinivas Kaza, general secretary at SIFA, says: "There was a lot of movement of Indian flowers to Europe, Japan, West Asia and South East Asia this Christmas."
Improved demand was primarily due to a reduced supply of locally produced flowers across Europe. While, poor output in Africa had resulted in increased demand for Indian flowers and confidence is now sky high in the build up to February 14. SIFA expects the volumes to pick up by about 40 per cent this Valentine's Day. The industry expects to export around 85 per cent of its total produce in the two weeks prior to Valentine’s Day.
Meanwhile - SIFA has elected Nadeem Ahmed, managing director of the Bangalore-based CCL Flowers, as its new president.
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