It cannot be said enough how Kenya is a country richly blessed with the perfect conditions for the flower industry to thrive. This East African country produces a variety of flowers for, practically, every occasion and season. From roses to Chrysanthemums, and many more in between, flowers are part and parcel of the country’s landscape.
Such is one of the reasons why this past weekend, the horticulture industry converged for the Naivasha Horticultural Fair, in the country’s unarguable flower capital of Naivasha to showcase the very best that the floral industry offers. Of course with a bit of different other elements that contribute to the success of the horticultural industry.
A Brilliant and Extraordinary Event That Saw a Great Turnout
Held from the 20th to the 21st of September, the Naivasha Horticultural Fair—also called Naivasha Horti Fair—whose main sponsor was the Co-operative Bank of Kenya, alongside other institutions, certainly, delivered on its promise to be among the most exciting in recent years.
Roughly two hundred exhibitors and thousands of visitors took part in the two-day event, with the exhibitions featuring a wide range of products and services from different stakeholders in the Kenyan horticultural industry. The event’s chairman Richard McGonnell, was definitely thrilled by this ending. Practically everyone who attended it was!
Richard McGonnell:
“This year’s event was extraordinary. It was brilliant. The attendance was great. From breeders to growers—most who support the event’s social responsibility causes including building and supporting children's homes and other community development initiatives—attended.”
Visitors were treated to a two-day extravaganza of floral and horticultural beauty, alongside other informative sessions and resources that they, quite likely, did not previously know about. After all, every new day presents an opportunity to learn something new!
Breeders and Growers Thronged the Event With Their New and Old Varieties
Perhaps, the key attraction for the whole event was the flower and plant part which witnessed quite a huge turnout. Many breeders, propagators, crop and flower protection experts, logistics, and other bodies in the plant and flower value chain did present their novelties.
De Ruiter East Africa (DREA), the regional branch of the globally leading rose breeder took part in showcasing numerous of the varieties that make it known for unique and exquisite roses. Talk of Rose Morning Light, Rose Playa Blanca, Spray Rose Constellation, Spray Rose Orange Star, Rose Revolution, and the Dimension® series made up of Spray Rose Pink Dimension®, Spray Rose Sweet Dimension®, Spray Rose Juicy Dimension®, and Spray Rose Special Dimension®, as well as many others were on showcase for the discerning rose lover.
Rob Letcher, the managing director at DREA was, without doubt, pleased with the event and its turnout which presented an additional platform for the introduction of the Lake Naivasha region’s Kongoni-based breeder’s roses, especially after holding its open days during the course of the same week.
Such was, also, the case with Nakuru-based breeder, United Selections whose partnership with Chrysanthemum breeder Icon Selections, Alstroemeria breeder Könst Alstroemeria, and WAC Breeding, brought some of their varieties as well. Similarly acknowledging the great participation, United Selections CEO, Jelle Posthumus revealed that the breeders had new floral offerings which the flower world would be thrilled to experience.
Jelle Posthumus:
“It was a positive event. It had a positive vibe. Many people were looking for new varieties and we had new varieties to offer them. Since growing a mix of flowers—both roses and summer flowers—is a trend that’s growing, we had different varieties; from roses to Alstroemerias and Chrysanthemums to suit our prospective clients’ yearnings.”
The breeder showcased its new Spray Rose Champagne Blossoms, among its other blossom varieties like Rose Snowy Blossoms. Plus, Rose Nova Vita, which is still in great demand was also on showcase, as well as Rose Rise & Shine. United Selections’ new Rose Red Promise was also available.
There were other flowers like the different varieties of Chrysanthemums including the pink sprays such as Chrysanthemum Allstar and Chrysanthemum Superstar. Alstroemeria varieties like Alstroemeria Cinnamon, and Alstroemeria Bianca, alongside different other flowers from these breeders’ assortments, were available.
There were, similarly, more varieties on showcase by Meilland, a breeder known for a passion for colors, fragrances, shapes, and resistance, making its roses much more attractive to invest in. Rowan Godfrey, the breeder’s regional manager indicated that the company, as well, has new roses it was showcasing at the floral fair.
Rose Alina Perfumella, and the deep pink Rose Alexandre Astier® were the leading varieties at the showcase. Others were Rose Yves Piaget, Rose Sabrina, Rose Black Baccara, and Rose Black Gold, among numerous others. Rowan, also, expressed his satisfaction with the two-day even noting that it had presented quite an opportunity to display the breeder’s rose varieties which are well-loved for their fragrance and beauty.
Ball Horticultural Company, through its regional subsidiary Ball Floriculture Kenya Ltd, also put up a splendid display of its floral offerings including varieties of Gypsophylla, Dianthus, Delphiniums, Petunias, Limoniums, and sunflowers.
The breeder’s sales manager for the region, Alejandra Restrepo, while expressing her delight with the event, noted that it presented an opportunity for them to showcase their different new and older varieties. It also created leads for different prospective customers from around the country and beyond.
At Select Breeding, Michael De Geus, the managing director also admitted that the event was quite satisfactorily organized and well-attended. It had a positive feel around it and was, generally, a decent event, according to him.
Select Breeding, he said, had on offer the orange bicolor variety named Rose Suncatcher, alongside other notables like Rose Red Bentley, Rose Grand Select, Rose Glamour Select, Rose Twister Select, Rose Blue Lagoon, Rose Firefox, Rose Bloosz, Rose Camaro, and Rose Classic Select, among numerous others. He, also, noted that the breeder has introduced nine spray varieties; four of which are already going commercial.
Michel De Geus:
“At Select Breeding, our assortment is selected and cultivated for specific cultivar properties that make them suitable for different climate zones and markets.”
The horticultural fair, also, had Nakuru-based Van Kleef Kenya Ltd in attendance, showcasing numerous of its varieties. In addition, propagators like ProRoot and Stokman Rozen were available to showcase their services and floral products, as well as others like Plantech Kenya Ltd. Similarly, the Kenya Flower Council (KFC), and the Flower Council of Holland, also took part in the fair.
Next year’s event, Richard believes, will be a lot bigger and attract many more exhibitors and visitors, as the proceeds from the event go into supporting the local communities within the larger Naivasha region.
