The second episode in my 'World of Spray Roses Farm Tours' series takes me to the pioneer of spray rose growing in Kenya, Subati Flowers Group. Previously I took you through Karen Roses' farm tour, highlighting how they have strategically mastered their growth, consistency with quality, and market positioning.
The visit to Subati Flowers gave me a different touch and experience with spray rose growing. True mastery was evident from their strategies toward spray rose variety selection approaches, growing techniques, branding, and packaging. This grower has, over time, understood what it takes to produce and sell high-quality spray roses consistently. Join this experience and enjoy!
How It All Started for Subati Flowers
Subati-Subukia is one of the farms under Subati Flowers Group, located 250 km away from Kenya's capital, Nairobi. The farm is situated at 2300 m above sea level, near the equator, and optimal growing conditions are readily available throughout the year.
The year 2008, more than 15 years ago, Subati Flowers decided to venture into spray rose growing and their first stop was Interplant Roses, a successful pioneer in spray rose breeding. So it was an easy decision for them to know where to select its varieties from. Today, the grower has over 100+ spray rose varieties grown across its three farms all from Interplant Roses.
Charles Kariuki, the production manager at Subati-Subukia farm, who has worked at the farm for 15 years notes:
"Spray roses from Interplant were an easy decision for us from the onset because of their diversity of choice, color, and shape. Other technical details like vase life, production, bud size and number of buds, opening and pests, and disease resistance checked out, which has enhanced reliability when it comes to what you expect from these varieties."
The grower notes that the Bombastic series, Babe's family, and Trendsetter series are some of the families of spray rose varieties from Interplant that enjoy incredible success. These varieties are well-appreciated in the market, thanks to their proactiveness to market and continuously creating targeted awareness about spray roses' beauty and magic.
World of Spray Roses - A Continous Improvement
The graceful presence of spray roses, owed to their number of buds per stem makes them desirable and a must-have in every floral arrangement. Subati Flowers Group appreciated the efforts by Interplant Roses through the World of Spray Roses, to promote, and create awareness about the value of spray roses.
For a grower that believes and implements the precepts of Kaizen philosophy, across its farms, initiated by World of Spray Roses is the much-needed continuous improvement. Through the involvement of more than 1200 employees in each section, Subati Flowers implements the concept of continuous improvement of operations. Through this approach, they have witnessed significant improvement in their processes, quality of spray roses, and exceptional customer service, which sets the farm apart in comparison to the competition.
I was overly impressed by the hygiene of the farm, not only as you get into the farm but right from the offices, and the landscapes to the greenhouses. The high standards set by the farm resonate with employees, they understand the importance of hygiene and why it is linked to quality growing and production of incredible flowers.
Oksana Matias emphasized the need for hygiene and why the same is reflected in the quality consistency of their roses across all three farms.
"Guided by Kaizen principles, we are always seeking ways to improve, adapt, and continuously grow as a team. I am glad the issue of hygiene is well visible across every area of Subati Flowers Group farms. First, we take care of our environment, this is the first step to growing exceptional flowers in the long run."
More Than Just Spray Roses
Thanks to the World of Spray Roses, we are not only experiencing the growing aspects of spray roses but also the value therein. Different players benefit as a result of this product, from the breeder, grower, traders, and consumers but also employees within the chain and surrounding community.
For instance, through the proceeds earned by sales of spray roses, Subati Flowers Group has managed to build and manage a school with more than 500 students. Other CSR programs include the provision of clean water and sporting facilities. Top candidates in their school are sponsored throughout high school by the farm. When you buy spray roses from Subati Flowers Group, you're contributing to a worthy cause, you allow the surrounding community to thrive as a result.
It is an incredible experience for me to witness not just the amazing growing and quality of spray roses courtesy of World of Spray Roses and members thereof. Female empowerment through the provision of equal opportunities, and investment into surrounding communities, shows how beneficial spray roses are and why we ought to advocate for this type of rose. Thank you for being part of this journey and even as I look forward to upcoming farm visits, your support is appreciated. Join me on my socials, share this campaign with your network, and let's cultivate a strong culture of using spray roses in our floral needs.
