The State of Jalisco in Mexico , where tequila is distil , is now the plaza where rose are grown too . Last year , after 9 calendar month of repairing , new living was blown into a 25 ha abandoned rose farm , and it was named Oleoflor . It is part of the family unit business group Oleomex and currently uprise rose wine in a 2 ha regenerate greenhouse . After conquering part of the interior market , this fresh farm is eager to export its product to the US , follow by Canada and even Europe . But first thing first : Oleoflor ’s first rosiness are being glean this calendar month and they are happy with the quality .
María Pérez with the roseate plants that were just planted
When the passion was bornOwner of the farm is María Pérez , a passionate horticulturalist and entrepreneur . However , she was not raise with this mania for flowers . Coming out of a family byplay with all industrial engineers , everyone , include herself , always ideate her career in the technology diligence . However , one daytime , at the age of 14 , Maria saw a floral clip with the Dutch auction on the front page and her dearest for bloom was carry . " From that time onwards , I want to establish my own ' flower factory ' " , she laughs . In the twelvemonth after , she followed horticultural programs and study in floriculture . After obtain her master degree in Engineering , she followed more floricultural courses in the Netherlands .
abandon farm , but best conditions to grow rosesAnd then , in 2018 , the chance to start up her own ' flower manufacturing plant ' arose . 1.5 hour from Guadalajara , she found an abundant roseate farm in La Manzanilla de la Paz and she fell in love immediately . " The conditions for rose cultivation are very good ; the altitude is above 2,000 meters , the area has warm days and frigid night with an average one-year temperature of 26 ° C . I quickly realized that it is the double-dyed place to grow roses in the good conditions possible . " She took the next stride , get in touch with the owners , and win over her family to invest in the business . She succeeded , and in 2019 the farm was purchase .
Repairing the farmThe farm was forsake for 15 years , so a lot of work had to be done to clean , repair and regenerate the farm . " We tried to reuse as much of the materials that were in estimable shape as possible , but as everything was so honest-to-goodness and discredited , we basically bulge out all over again . " With the support of her home and the help of several greenhouse builder , they stop the labor in just 9 month .
RosesWhen the glasshouse was eat up , it was clip to start planting the roses , which they received from breeders De Ruiter and Dümmen Orange . " We planted standard , spray and garden rosebush , in total 41 varieties . And by buying the permission to acquire the varieties , the representatives of these nurture companies helped us a lot along the way . "
proud of with the qualityAt Oleoflor , the first commercial flowers will be harvested this calendar month , and Pérez is proud of about the calibre . " We already did some trial and in general , we notice that the lineament is high . The altitude combine with the good temperature and our good agricultural practices results in rose , depend on variety of path , with a stem length of about 60 - 70 cm , a head size of 6 - 7 centimeter and a vase life of 10 - 12 + days . "
People , ware and environmentNext to ply a good product , Pérez sequester great importance to people and environment . " We desire to grow a high - quality product but at the same time , we require to take care of the environment . We therefore assay to rigorously come good agricultural practices and we see it back in the quality of the harvest as well . " On top of that , we also need to offer jobs to the residential district . With this case of work , we declare oneself jobs not only for serviceman , but also for women . " presently , they have 25 people working at the farm and they are looking at obtaining a Rainforest Alliance and a GlobalGAP enfranchisement .
enlargement plansThe total size of it of the farm is 25 ha , so heap of room to expand the greenhouse . And according to Pérez , this is also their future destination . " We first want to put our product on the national grocery store - we just purchased a refrigerated motortruck to embark the efflorescence to Guadalajara and we are looking into the options of spread a DC in Guadalajara . Then the goal is to export to the US , then to Canada , and eventually to Europe . Along with expanding the markets , we will expand the greenhouse as well . "
And regarding their first stone’s throw abroad , exporting to the US , her expected value are high . " Colombia and Ecuador will be our biggest competitors as most of the roses import into the US are grown in these countries . However , aloofness - wise , we are closer and therefore able to ship our roses by refrigerated truck . On top of that , we are turn up closer ( about 6 hour ) to the US margin than the absolute majority of the Mexican rose farm , which are locate close to Mexico City . And as the global carbon footprint is becoming an more and more important issue these day , I cogitate our products will become a very interesting pick . "
Starting up a occupation during COVID-19Of course , COVID-19 can not be leave out in this article . How is it to get going up a company during this pandemic ? Pérez : " Of course , we had to correct our pre - thought procedures , but all in all , we are going through it quite well , principally because we are not selling the flowers yet . We see that the efflorescence farms in Mexico have been run into hard and several even went out of line of work . This in turn offers chance for us as the requirement , that will return , has to be met . "
For more informationOleoflorMaría PérezEmail:[email protected]www.oleoflor.com.mx
© FloralDaily.com/Elita Vellekoop
