The Red Rose Born Free Is a Thornless Beauty

Rose Born Free is a groundbreaking new red rose variety that offers a fresh opportunity for growers, distributors, and floral designers alike.

"The main advantage of Born Free is that it's highly productive, and besides being a great looking, flat-ruffled, romantic red rose, is that Born Free is absolutely thornless."

The U.S. Markets Are Ready for New Red Rose Varieties

To summarize the impact of the red rose variety Born Free® on the U.S. market, it represents an outstanding addition to the red rose category, catering to large-scale production and diverse use cases across the mass market and wholesale sectors.

Currently, the market is dominated mainly by the longstanding Rose Freedom variety. However, U.S. importers, distributors, wholesalers, supermarkets, and floral designers have expressed enthusiasm for introducing new red rose varieties to expand and enrich their offerings. These innovations, featuring new shades of red and distinctive shapes, are not intended to replace established favorites like Rose Freedom per se. Instead, they complement the existing selection, offering greater variety and appeal to meet customers' evolving demands.

Nevado roses visit for Born Free — *Nevado Roses was one of the farms visited*

Born Free Roses Are Welcomed in the Markets

Because the Born Free rose adds a new shape, shade, and thorn-freeness to the markets, it is very well-received by distributors, wholesalers, and designers.

The Shape of the Red Rose Born Free
- The Born Free’s aesthetic appeal lies in its unique ruffled, flat shape, which opens up nicely to create a romantic visual impact.
The Red Rose Born Free's Color Shade
- Born Free has a classic red rose color with deep crimson velvet petals. When opening, it shows its petals with an impressive never-to-be-forgotten brightness. It's easy to reflex or fold open.
The Red Rose Born Free is Thornless
- Born Free is a game-changer for florists and designers who value ease of handling and safety while enhancing the overall experience for all involved.

See more about the benefits of being Thornless in the FAQ below.

*Born Free designing with Shallima at Josarflor Farm*

The U.S. Red Rose Market Has a Conservative Nature

The U.S. floral market has traditionally been known for its conservative nature, adhering to the principle of "why change something that already works?" This mindset has historically prioritized tried-and-true varieties and familiar standards, ensuring reliability and consistency for growers, distributors, and consumers alike.

However, this perspective has seen a noticeable shift in recent years. Many industry experts and stakeholders now recognize that the market is becoming increasingly receptive to innovation and variety. Changing consumer preferences, driven by a desire for unique and eye-catching options and a growing appreciation for sustainability and efficiency, have created a fertile ground for introducing new products. As a result, the U.S. market is more open than ever to embracing fresh ideas and experimenting with alternatives that promise to enhance aesthetics and practicality.

Through firsthand insights gathered during visits to six farms in Ecuador and discussions with key players in Miami’s floral market, it is clear that its unique qualities of being thornless, highly productive, and beautifully flat and ruffled, the potential of the Born Free variety is large. This is a reel by Shallima Turizo Dancur of the EQR farm Visit:

Born Free’s Unique Qualities for Growers

With yields twice that of leading red rose varieties and being a healthy plant, Born Free offers significant advantages for growers, from reduced land use to increased profitability. Besides the high productivity, Born Free is not susceptible to blackening and needs no specific netting or plastic, a considerable advantage and cost-saving attribute. Also, harvesting is more efficient because more stems are cut per m/2, and post-harvest, thornlessness is attributed to easier handling. The packing rate of Born Free is also excellent.

Born Free Pinched

Born Free’s Pinching Qualities

Born Free is an ideal rose variety for pinching, making it an excellent choice for growers looking to optimize production schedules. Its strong growth habits allow it to respond exceptionally well to pinching, with robust lateral shoots and consistent regeneration after each pinch. This makes it easier for growers to align peak production with major floral holidays like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality roses. Additionally, Born Free quickly rebounds after pinching, maintaining excellent stem strength, bloom size, and plant vigor. These qualities make it a reliable and productive choice for meeting market demands with precision and efficiency.

See more about the pinching roses in the FAQ below.

Advantages for Growers

Increased Productivity: Doubling the output compared to traditional varieties allows growers to maximize their resources.
Reduced Labor Costs: There's no need for additional labor against blackening. The thornless nature simplifies harvesting and handling, reducing the time and effort required by workers.
Sustainability: The plants are very healthy and are low on pesticide use. Higher yields on the same acreage contribute to a more sustainable approach to rose farming, minimizing environmental impact.
Planning and scheduling: Born Free is easy to pinch to double down on productivity during the important flower holidays.

*Born Free roses in arrangement at the Josarflor farm*

Opportunities of Born Free for U.S. Distributors and Wholesalers

Born Free offers U.S. distributors and wholesalers a remarkable opportunity to diversify red rose offerings with a product that combines aesthetic charm and practical advantages. Its striking flat, ruffled blooms and vibrant red hue make it an eye-catching choice for customers, while its thornless stems address operational challenges.

Thornlessness significantly reduces handling time, minimizes labor-intensive cleaning processes, and ensures seamless packing and transportation with minimal risk of damage. These features improve efficiency and reduce costs across the supply chain. Furthermore, Born Free's romantic appeal and unique design offer wholesalers an exceptional product to attract floral designers and retailers looking for something new. As the floral market increasingly values innovation and convenience, Born Free is a versatile solution that enhances workflow and customer satisfaction. This rose is not just a new variety but a strategic addition to elevate business performance.

Advantages for Distributors and Wholesalers

Market Differentiation: The variety’s distinctive appearance and thornless stems provide a competitive edge in a crowded red rose market.
Higher Profit Margins: The increased productivity at the source translates into cost-effective pricing and greater flexibility in meeting market demands.
Consumer Appeal: Retailers report strong initial interest due to the rose’s striking blooms and practical advantages.

Born Free at Star Rose — *Born Free arrangement and the plants at Star Rose*

Born Free Is a Designer’s Delight

Born Free is a designer's delight because it combines beauty, practicality, and versatility, making it ideal for both intricate arrangements and large-scale designs. Its thornless stems provide a safe and hassle-free handling experience, saving time and effort during preparation and assembly.

The flat, ruffled petals and vibrant red hue offer a unique and romantic aesthetic in bouquets, centerpieces, and event decorations. Born Free’s blooms open while maintaining their structure, creating an eye-catching, fresh, impactful display. This versatility allows designers to unleash their creativity without compromising convenience, making Born Free a go-to choice for weddings, events, and everyday arrangements.

Advantages for Designers

Ease of Handling: The thornless stems make designing safer and quicker, particularly for large-scale events or intricate arrangements.
Versatile Aesthetics: The flat, ruffled petals and vibrant red color offer endless possibilities for bouquets, centerpieces, and installations.
Long-Lasting Appeal: Its ability to open fully yet maintain structure ensures a lasting impression in both personal and commercial settings.

About the Variety Born Free®

The Born Free variety stands out for its impressive productivity, delivering 1.6 to 1.8 flowers per plant per month. Its vibrant bright red color shows no signs of blackening, paired with an average head size of 6 cm and stem lengths ranging from 60 to 70 cm, making it highly appealing in the market. The production area in Ecuador spans approximately 10 hectares and is rapidly expanding due to growing demand. The variety boasts excellent vase life, lasting at least 12 days, and performs exceptionally well during transport, including sea freight, ensuring freshness and quality upon arrival.

Born Free is more than a red rose—it is almost a revolution in floral innovation. From growers in Ecuador to designers in the U.S., its advantages resonate across the supply chain. As the variety gains traction in farms and markets, it’s clear that Born Free is set to become a cornerstone of the floral industry, delivering beauty and practicality in equal measure. Stay tuned for updates on this promising variety as it continues to flower—literally and figuratively—in the U.S. market.

Are you ready to embrace the Born Free revolution? Join us as we continue to explore its impact on the floral industry, and consider making it part of your next bouquet or arrangement.

FAQ

What are the benefits Benefits of thornlessness in Roses?

The thornlessness of roses, such as the Born Free variety, offers numerous benefits, making it a standout Unique Selling Proposition (USP) for multiple stakeholders across the floral industry. Here’s why:

Ease of Handling for Designers
- Safety: Eliminates the risk of injury from thorns, making the process of arranging bouquets and installations much safer, especially during high-volume events like weddings or corporate functions.
- Efficiency: Streamlines the handling process, allowing floral designers to work faster and focus on creativity rather than navigating around thorns.
- Comfort: Reduces strain on hands, particularly for designers handling dozens or hundreds of stems in a day.
Convenience in Packing and Shipping
- Damage Prevention: Thornless stems prevent punctures to protective wraps, boxes, or other packaging materials, reducing the risk of damage to the roses themselves during transit.
- Compact Packing: Without thorns, stems can be packed more closely together without tearing foliage or blooms, optimizing space and reducing shipping costs.
- Ease of Inspection: Packers can handle and inspect roses more quickly and carefully, ensuring only the best-quality stems are shipped.
Improved Workflow for Wholesalers and Retailers
- Faster Cleaning: Removing thorns is often a time-consuming part of stem preparation. Thornless roses eliminate this step, significantly reducing labor and preparation time.
- Less Waste: Without the need to trim or remove thorns, there is less plant waste during the cleaning process, improving sustainability.
- Hassle-Free Inventory: Employees can handle stock more easily, reducing injuries and ensuring smoother inventory management.
Enhanced Experience for End-Consumers
- User-Friendly: Customers buying roses for personal arrangements or gifts appreciate the ease of handling thornless roses, which require no additional preparation at home.
- Child and Pet Safety: Thornless roses are safer in environments with children or pets, adding peace of mind for consumers.
Cost Savings for Stakeholders
- Labor Efficiency: Reducing the need for manual thorn removal cuts down on labor costs for growers, wholesalers, and retailers alike.
- Reduced Injuries: Fewer incidents of thorn-related injuries mean lower liability and potentially reduced insurance costs for businesses.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness
- Less Damage Equals Less Waste: Roses with intact, thorn-free stems experience less damage during handling and shipping, resulting in fewer discarded stems.
- Streamlined Processes: Thornless roses reduce the number of steps needed to prepare roses for sale, lowering overall resource consumption.
Increased Market Appeal
- Differentiation: Thornlessness is a distinctive trait that makes the rose variety stand out in a crowded market, appealing to buyers looking for both practical and aesthetic value.
- Versatility: With easier handling and reduced risk, thornless roses can be marketed to a broader audience, including less experienced designers and hobbyists.

In summary, the thornlessness of roses like Born Free is a powerful USP that offers safety, efficiency, and convenience at every stage—from farm to consumer—while enhancing the overall experience for all involved.

What are the benefits benefits of high production in Roses?

High production in roses provides significant advantages across the floral supply chain, from growers to end consumers. These benefits include:

Cost Efficiency for Growers
- Lower production costs per rose due to economies of scale.
- Maximized use of land and resources, leveraging optimal growing conditions.
Reliable Supply for Exporters
- Ensures consistent availability to meet global market demands.
- Enables fulfillment of bulk orders, appealing to large-scale buyers.
Competitive Advantage in the Market
- Provides competitively priced roses, boosting demand.
- Supports the introduction of diverse and innovative rose varieties.
Economic Growth for Grower Regions
- Generates employment opportunities in farming, logistics, and export sectors.
- Strengthens the region’s reputation as a leader in high-quality rose production.
Enhanced Logistics and Supply Chains
- Supports steady supply chains with consistent shipments.
- Reduces transportation costs through bulk shipping opportunities.
Sustainability and Innovation
- Encourages more efficient farming practices, reducing waste.
- Enables investment in sustainable and innovative growing techniques.

In summary, high production in roses ensures cost efficiency, reliable supply, market competitiveness, and economic growth while supporting sustainability and innovation across the industry.

What is Blackening in Roses and How to Prevent It?

Blackening in roses refers to the darkening or discoloration of petals, usually occurring during growing. It can significantly reduce the aesthetic appeal and market value of roses. Blackening is often caused by factors such as light intensity, dehydration, poor handling, or exposure to extreme temperatures during storage and transport.

Causes of Blackening

Light Intensity: Excessive or uneven light exposure during cultivation can contribute to petal discoloration.
Dehydration: Insufficient water supply to the petals post-harvest.
Temperature Stress: Exposure to excessive heat or cold damages petal tissues.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients during cultivation, particularly calcium, weakens petal structure.
Mechanical Damage: Poor handling during packing or transport can bruise petals, leading to blackening.

How to Prevent Blackening in Roses

Light Management: Growers can use special plastics, netting, and even individual bags over the buds to cover red rose varieties, ensuring controlled light intensity and even exposure to prevent discoloration.
Hydration: Ensure roses are placed in clean water with appropriate preservatives immediately after harvest to maintain hydration.
Temperature Control: Store and transport roses in optimal temperature conditions (usually between 0-4°C) to prevent stress.
Proper Handling: Use gentle handling techniques to avoid bruising petals during packing and transport.
Nutrition Management: Provide adequate nutrients, especially calcium and potassium, during cultivation to strengthen petals.
Quality Packaging: Use breathable and protective packaging to maintain moisture levels and protect petals from mechanical damage.
Regular Monitoring: Inspect roses throughout the supply chain to identify and address any issues promptly.

By addressing these factors, growers and distributors can minimize the risk of blackening, ensuring that roses maintain their vibrant appearance and quality from harvest to consumer.

What is Pinching and Why is it Important, Especially for Red Roses?

Pinching is a horticultural technique where the terminal bud or upper part of a plant stem is removed to encourage lateral growth and improve plant structure. This practice is widely used in rose cultivation to optimize yield, quality, and stem uniformity, making it especially important for red roses, which are among the most sought-after varieties in the floral industry.

Benefits of Pinching for Red Roses

Ensures Full Production for Key Floral Holidays: Pinching schedules are carefully planned to synchronize peak flower production with major floral events such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. This ensures growers can meet high demand with the best quality blooms during these critical periods.
Promotes Lateral Growth: Removing the terminal bud redirects energy to side shoots, encouraging the development of more branches and flower stems.
Improves Flower Quality: Pinching enhances the production of stronger stems and larger blooms, meeting the high standards required for premium red roses.
Enhances Uniformity: It ensures consistent sizes and lengths of stems, which is essential for creating uniform bouquets and meeting market demands.
Optimizes Productivity: Well-timed pinching maximizes the number of harvestable stems per plant, increasing overall yield.
Shapes the Plant: Pinching creates a balanced plant structure, improving air circulation and reducing the risk of diseases such as powdery mildew and botrytis.
Supports Market Appeal: Red roses, often used for romantic and celebratory occasions, benefit from pinching to produce vibrant, symmetrical blooms with strong stems, enhancing their desirability and market value.

For growers, pinching is a vital practice, particularly for red roses, as it directly impacts the quality, quantity, and timing of flower production, ensuring success during high-demand floral holidays and throughout the year.