Farm Rose Cultivator Greets 'Farm Supporters' in Bogotá
Alexandra Farms in Bogotá Hosts Garden Rose Design Contest Winners
The winners of the 2024 Garden Rose Design Contest embarked on an enlightening journey to Alexandra Farms in Bogotá, Colombia. Known for its innovative garden rose varieties and commitment to sustainability, Alexandra Farms provided the perfect backdrop for a transformative experience in floriculture and floristry.
Marcy Almoney, winner of the Everyday Design category, was among those who were thrilled to tour the farm and learn about the intricate processes involved. The visit offered a unique blend of education and collaboration, showcasing the synergy between international rose designers and Colombian growers.
The first day was spent at San Ignacio farm, where the guests were introduced to the farm's greenhouse technology and farming practices. They witnessed the precision and care that goes into every stage of production, from breeding to harvesting and beyond. The tours included a peek into the composting systems, garden rose greenhouses, and the flower selection process.
The following day was packed with activities at Alexandra Farms. The day started with a presentation about the benefits of growing flowers in the Andes Mountains. After lunch, the visitors engaged in constructing flower arrangements with a wide variety of fresh-cut garden roses from the farm. The day also included a tour of El Jardín farm, a dahlia presentation, a rose grafting exercise, a post-harvest tour, a fragrance workshop, and a traditional dance performance.
Pieter Filius, sales manager at Parfum Flower Company, was impressed with the diverse group of industry professionals who attended the tour. Dafne Gonzalez, an account manager with Sunburst Farms, found the tours and demonstrations beneficial. Urban Petals CEO Anna Stouffer was intrigued by the sustainability processes on the farm.
Marcy Almoney described her trip to Bogotá and Alexandra Farms as a dive into the heart of floriculture and floristry. She found the collaborative nature of the rose breeding and growing process surprising and empowering. Alexandra Farms prioritizes sustainability throughout the breeding, growing, and production processes, ensuring high-quality roses while minimizing environmental impact.
The 2024 Garden Rose Design Contest winners left Bogotá with a newfound appreciation for the art and science of rose cultivation. The visit served as both an educational platform and a networking opportunity to strengthen global flower production and design standards.
The photos used in this article are courtesy of Alexandra Farms.
- At Alexandra Farms in Bogotá, the winners of the 2024 Garden Rose Design Contest immersed themselves in the unique blend of education, collaboration, and sustainability in the floral industry.
- Marcy Almoney, the winner of the Everyday Design category, was captivated by the intricate processes involved in growing and breeding garden roses at Alexandra Farms.
- San Ignacio farm, visited on the first day, showcased the efficiency of the farm's greenhouse technology and farming practices, which proved crucial in producing high-quality and eco-friendly garden roses.
- The second day at Alexandra Farms featured a variety of activities, such as a fragrance workshop, a traditional dance performance, and hands-on flower arrangement experience with fresh-cut garden roses.
- The diverse group of industry professionals, including Pieter Filius from Parfum Flower Company, Dafne Gonzalez from Sunburst Farms, and Anna Stouffer from Urban Petals, were left impressed by Alexandra Farms' sustainability efforts in the gardening and lifestyle sectors.
- Inspired by her experience at Alexandra Farms, Marcy Almoney expressed her newfound appreciation for the art and science of rose cultivation, as the farm prioritizes sustainability throughout breeding, growing, and post-harvest production processes.
