United Selections Latam opened its doors in Ecuador last week for its annual Open Days, welcoming growers, buyers, and industry professionals for a close look at its latest rose varieties and ongoing developments in breeding. Held at the company’s facilities in Cayambe, the event, held from March 11-13, brought together visitors from across Latin America and beyond.
Over the span of a few sunny days, attendees walked through greenhouses filled with commercial favorites and new selections, evaluating performance, color, stem length, and vase life – key factors for both growers and international markets. You won't want to miss out on this recap!
United Selections Hosted Successful Open Days in Ecuador
Open Days always have a practical focus. This time in sunny Cayambe, with the view of the amazing Cayambe volcano, visitors moved row by row at United Selections facilities in Ecuador, comparing varieties in real production conditions. This event allows growers to assess how each rose behaves on the plant, not just at the final cut stage.
Conversations with the technical and commercial teams were constant, with discussions centered on productivity, resistance, and market demand. Jelle Posthumus happily and proudly received visitors during the three days, culminating in a huge success for the company.
Among the highlights were new introductions aimed at high-volume periods such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. These varieties showed strong opening stages, consistent bud formation, and the stem quality required for export. Alongside them, established varieties continued to draw attention, confirming their reliability in different growing conditions.
An Annual Event Not to Miss
The timing of the event also played a role. With production planning already underway for key sales windows, many growers attended with clear objectives – selecting varieties that align with their farm conditions and target markets. Open Days like these often influence planting decisions that will shape supply months down the line.
Beyond the roses themselves, the event reinforced Ecuador’s position as one of the world’s leading rose producers. The altitude, climate, and technical expertise found in regions like Cayambe create ideal conditions for high-quality stems, something that was evident throughout the visit.
For United Selections, the Open Days were also an opportunity to strengthen relationships. Face-to-face interaction remains essential in floriculture, where trust and long-term collaboration are key. By bringing growers directly into the greenhouse, the company creates a space for transparent exchange with what works, what needs improvement, and what the market is asking for next.
Advancing Botrytis Resistance Through Modern Breeding
During the event, Paul de Bruin, breeder of United Selections, presented one of the company’s most recent research projects focused on improving resistance to Botrytis cinerea in roses. His presentation highlighted how traditional breeding alone is no longer enough to tackle this persistent fungal challenge, introducing a more advanced approach based on genetic markers. By identifying specific genes linked to resistance, the team can select parent plants more precisely, define targeted cross combinations, and screen seedlings at a much earlier stage.
The project, developed in collaboration with Wageningen University & Research and other industry partners, evaluates hundreds of rose genotypes to better understand the relationship between genetic information and disease performance. The goal is clear: accelerate the development of stronger, more resilient varieties while reducing dependency on chemical treatments, bringing practical solutions to growers facing increasing disease pressure.
A Masterclass to End the Incredible Floral Experience
The week concluded with a more creative perspective. On Friday, March 13th, Colombian creative and floral designer Shallima Turizo led a hands-on masterclass, shifting attention from production to design. Using a selection of roses and alstroemeria varieties from United Selection, combined with curated greenery, she demonstrated how to build balanced yet asymmetrical arrangements. The session explored movement, proportion, and texture, offering attendees a practical understanding of how these varieties translate from greenhouse to final composition. Attendees got the chance to design and create their own arrangement, mentored by the talented designer.
Photos: Shallima Turizo
