Peter Van Delft spent several days exploring TAK Global’s farms across Guatemala, moving from one field to the next and taking in the full scope of what these lands produce. He walked among rows of greens and foliage, examining how each plant grows, how it’s harvested, and how it’s prepared for shipment to florists and designers around the world. Along the way, he discovered crops he had never seen before and revisited familiar favorites, noting the differences from season to season. Join his adventure in the Central American country that owns the land of green.
Peter Van Delft Visits TAK Global Farms in Guatemala
Beyond the plants themselves, Peter paid close attention to the farmers tending the fields, the way the sunlight fell across the mountains, and the care that goes into every step of production on his latest trip to the TAK farms. By the end of his visit, he had an immense appreciation for the scale, variety, and work that make the company's products stand out in the floral world. Now join him for a detailed recap of what he saw during the three-day visit!
The tour started at Agroferns, La Labranza, Tropi Cultivos 1, and Costa Sol. Peter saw crops he had never encountered before. One caught his attention: a green similar to ruscus but darker, heavier in tone, and unusual in texture... Nageia Nagi. Two other crops at the same farm were entirely new, offering possibilities for arrangements that he hadn’t seen elsewhere.
At the same site, he explored a large Leucadendron field stretching down a hillside. Rows of plants followed the slope of the land. During harvesting, he stopped to look at Aralia, his all-time favorite. The leaves were large, thick, and consistent, making it one of the best varieties of Aralia he has seen. After being astounded by all the greens available at their farms, he saw another notable plant: Phlebodium Blue Star, a fern-like green with a blue-green tone that reminded him of eucalyptus.
PS: You can see the happiness on his face when holding an Aralia leaf!
Salamar – Fields and Post-Harvest Work
The second day of the adventure took Peter to Salamar by plane, probably resulting in one of his favorite days as well. He saw Aspidistra being harvested, rows lined up in the sun. Then he moved on to Eucalyptus Cinerea, walking through the fields and noting how the leaves were picked and handled carefully by some of the happiest faces he has seen in workers at TAK.
At the post-harvest facility, LED lights made it easier to check the plants for quality, something that amazed him while confirming they have the highest quality standards in the market when it comes to greens. Workers inspected each stem, making sure that damaged leaves were removed and that only the strongest greens were sent out. Peter also visited Eucalyptus Silver Dollar, whose trees were tall and full, and lastly gave space to see Asparagus Tree Fern, a product that, with its thin stems, is a very-loved and common product for European markets.
Third Day in Antigua Seeing Leatherleaf and Ruscus
On the third and last day, Thursd, blogger and influencer with over 340K followers, Peter, went to Antigua. Leatherleaf fields that had been mostly empty earlier in the year when he visited the farms were now filled with deep green leaves ready for harvest. He also saw perfectly-toned Ruscus and Asparagus Plumosus Nano. The latter was particularly interesting for its feathery texture and even color, making it suitable for arrangements in Holland at this time of year.
After walking kilometers of greens, the trip ended with some time to explore the city. Guided by Mariela Toriello, Innovation Project Manager, he walked the streets, looking at the colonial buildings and observing daily life. A great end to a great trip.
A full day of leatherleaf!
TAK Global’s Farms Show What Greens Can Really Do
Peter’s visit showed the variety of greens TAK Global produces—more than 30 types—and the care that goes into growing, harvesting, and preparing them. He stressed that many of these plants are still underused in floral design, and that showing them properly can make a big difference for designers.
From Aralia to Aspidistra, Eucalyptus to Ruscus, he saw that the Guatemalan company focuses on consistent and very high-quality products. The workers handle each plant with care, and the farms provide the conditions to grow greens that last longer and maintain their shape. Designers looking for greens, you might want to check their full assortment!
