As Plantec celebrates its 35th anniversary this month, the company looks back at the extraordinary journey that began in 1990 when Carlos Krell founded Plantador, the first company in Ecuador dedicated to selecting and producing rose varieties specifically suited to South American growing conditions.
Plantec - Pioneering a Vision that Transformed Ecuador's Flower Industry
The early days for the business presented significant challenges. With initial skepticism from local growers who believed that 'varieties and plants must come from Europe', the company struggled to produce its target of 100,000 plants in its first year, managing only 20,000. Finding skilled grafters was another obstacle, leading the company to bring expertise from Israel to train local talent and develop techniques still used throughout the industry today.
Despite these challenges, Plantec's founders remained committed to their revolutionary vision: that varieties should be selected in the countries where they would be cultivated, and that plants could be successfully produced in South America. This pioneering approach, once questioned by many, has become the industry standard, with 100% of rose varieties now planted in Ecuador being selected within the country.
Bloom Boom - The Origins of a Rose Empire
Much of what’s now standard in Ecuador’s floriculture began as a simple idea. Focused on practical solutions and forward-thinking methods, the company introduced new ways of working with roses—from trial areas for testing varieties to faster-growing techniques that changed production timelines. These steps, taken steadily over time, shaped a new rhythm for growers across the country.
Plantec introduced several groundbreaking innovations to Ecuador's floriculture sector, including:
- Created the first experimental areas to showcase new varieties
- Organized the first Ecuadorian Floriculture Open House in 1991
- Introduced crucial varieties like Marlyse, Peckoubo, Anna, Virginia, Star 2000, and First Red
- Coined the term 'mini-plant' and revolutionized production methods, reducing growing time from six months to seven weeks
- Grew to become the world's largest producer of cut rose plants, with over 70 hectares of production
Through partnerships with prestigious breeders, including W. Kordes, Interplant, Delbard, PRO, Grandiflora, and Fazari, they expanded their selection processes exponentially. Today, the company evaluates more than 8,000 varieties annually through sophisticated processes developed in-house.
What began as a vision 35 years ago has helped transform Ecuador into the country with the greatest number of hectares dedicated to rose cultivation worldwide. The country is now synonymous with the newest varieties and produces the most valued roses globally, with Plantec playing a crucial role in establishing this prestigious country brand.
Evolving and Growing Over Time
In 2006, Plantador Cia Ltda evolved into Technical Plants Plantec Cia Ltda, consolidating its leadership in miniature plant production and variety selection. The company's production has grown from those challenging first 20,000 plants to several million units annually, serving clients across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and previously Ethiopia.
Throughout its journey, they have remained committed to developing local talent. Key team members like Santiago Jarrin, Aviram Krell, and Sofia Sánchez have been with the company for decades, rising through the ranks to leadership positions. This commitment to building an Ecuadorian team has been fundamental to the company's philosophy from the beginning.
They have also witnessed and contributed to the transformation of working conditions in Ecuador's agricultural sector, supporting the development of professional standards, legal social benefits, and improved working conditions throughout the industry.
A Rose-Colored Legacy - 35 Years and Counting
At the end of this month, Plantec will celebrate this extraordinary milestone with a special event commemorating 35 years of innovation, quality, and partnership. The company's outstanding journey will also be featured in an exclusive magazine being published with the support of 'Ecuador y sus Flores', documenting how a visionary idea grew into a transformative force for Ecuador's floriculture industry.
Photos courtesy of Ecuador y sus Flores.
