It's Time to Negotiate Valentines Red Rose Prices Again!

In January all fresh flowers wholesalers including us at Triangle Nursery have the yearly task of negotiating red rose prices with the growers in Holland. The demand for red roses at Valentines is absolutely enormous because the date is the same worldwide, (unlike Mothers Day). As usual the growers think they are selling gold and negotiations can be extremely difficult!! Cut flower wholesalers go about buying red roses in various different ways with the intention of selling cheaper than their competition in most cases. There are basically three different ways that roses are purchased for Valentines:

1). Buying Early & Storing in Holland. You will notice that as from next week, (Monday 22nd Jan), the price of all red roses will rise dramatically. The only reason this happens is that some wholesalers will buy in bulk at auction before prices increase too much and store them in refrigerated warehouses until just before Valentines. The sheer demand alone is responsible for the early price increase. Roses can be stored in certain conditions and they will still look OK in 4 weeks time BUT they is no disguising that fact that they are old and when taken home to a centrally heated home, will blow open almost instantly! (I am sure that many of you have seen this happen!). Many wholesalers buy this way to beable to sell cheapest & make a better profit. We do not agree with this method at Triangle Nursery for obvious reasons!

2). Agreeing a Price With The Grower (Cut to Order).  At Triangle Nursery, we always choose this method. This ensures our customers receive the exact variety of red rose & know they are the freshest available. We are also able to produce a price list with guaranteed prices. Of course, our prices may seem more expensive than a wholesaler who has chosen to buy early and stock pile!

3). Chancing the Auction Prices. This method is a real gamble but can sometimes pay off. Some cut flower wholesalers don't publish a guaranteed red rose price list and tell their customers they will buy at auction for them at the best price. Sometimes prices can plummit at the last minute so wholesaler & customer both win. Obviously this can back fire as well !!! Quite a risky strategy, and one we don't use at Triangle Nursery!

After negotiating prices with the rose growers we will publish our guaranteed prices early next week.

Cutting and Delivery Shedule For Our Red Roses at Triangle Nursery

• Red Roses delivered to us on Friday 11th February will be cut on Thursday 10th February
• Red Roses delivered to us on Saturday 12th February will be cut on Friday 11th February
• Red Roses delivered to us on Sunday 13th February will be cut on Saturday 12th February

Five of the best Flowers for Valentines Day

Valentines Day is perhaps the only day of the year where giving flowers to the one you love is written in stone! Flowers can be very expensive at Valentines Day due to supply & demand but other flowers, apart from roses, do have romantic meaning, so there should be a flower bouquet to fit everyones budget.

Orchids
Tropical orchids, such as Cymbidiums, Phalaeonopis and Dendrobriums are readily available at this time of year in a wonderful range of unique colours. All orchids are known for their outstanding beauty and long vase life. (These elegant stems actually like the warmth, and are perfect for an indoor arrangement). Orchids are generally known for mystique and refinement - a perfect alternative to red roses on Valentines Day!

Tulips
Tulips are in abundance at this time of the year and therefore at their cheapest! Red tulip varieties are the only colour that really rise in price due to demand at Valentines Day. Tulips are traditionally given as a decloration of love for the first time, and often given as a constant reminder of love throughout their short season. Tulips will always bend their supple necks towards the light, so a good idea is to turn your vase around on a daily basis. The sap form daffodils will kill tulips, so never mix the two flowers together in an arrangement.

Lilies
Lilies are available all year round, but at this time of the year are a little expensive. Saying that though, lilies will outlast most other flowers for vase life. Lilies should always be in tight green bud when purchased - if they are beginning to open it is a fair guess that they are over a week old! There are four main varieties available commercially (1). Aziatic - available in bright colours, such as yellow, red, orange & pink. Aziatic lilies have no fragrance. (2). Longiflorum - available mostly in white with a few pink varieties. These lilies have a trumpet shaped flower that points downwards. Some longiflorums have a scent, but not all. (3). L.A. - a cross between Aziatic & Longiflorum Lilies. L.A. lilies have a wide colour range covering all the bright colours & include beautiful pastel shades such as pale pink, peach and cream. Most L.A. lilies have no fragrance. (4). Oriental Lilies - this is the big bloomed scented variety and the most expensive of all. Famous varieties include Stargazer, (pink & white bi-colour), Cassablanca, (pure white), Pompeii, (white & yellow bi-colour), and Cobra, (cerise). Oriental lilies are typically taller, with sturdier stems and have larger flowers than other varieties. A beautifull, long lasting Valentines flower and a cracking alternative to Red Roses.

Chrysanthemums
At the bottom end of the price scale with tulips, Chrysanthemums are known for devotion and purity. Originally from Japan, the Chrysanthemum is grown all year round commercially & available in a huge amount of varities and colours. By re-cutting the stems on a regular basis, chrysanthemums can achieve a long vase life, even though your Valentines arrangement will get shorter by the week!

Roses
Roses have always been the star of the show at Valentines Day and are generally regarded as the most romantic flower in the world. Red Roses are the most expensive at this time of year, but because demand has risen for other colours over the years, all rose prices increase dramatically for Valentines Day now.



Colombian frosts hit flower production. Message is don’t panic but get your orders in!

While weather conditions in Colombia have undoubtedly been unusual, with frost hitting some crops, the overall picture is not yet clear and as such FITA importers are urging buyers not to panic.  Because while there has been some damage and losses, and not just within rose production, the impact of the weather won’t be known for another week or so and therefore the rumour that vast amounts of Colombia’s production has been wiped out is untrue.

Commenting on recent stories in the international press, Adam Porges, Chairman of FITA said; “One of the strengths of FITA members is their incredibly strong links with Colombia which means they are in daily contact with the farms so that they can keep abreast of the situation.  The reality is that like the UK, Colombia has seen some very unusual weather patterns over the last week or so and as a result growers have had to light fires at night to keep temperatures up.  The truth is that it is too early to accurately assess the situation but we are aware there may be some shortages and as such would advise early ordering because it will be buyers who leave it late who will be caught out.”

fandwb also spoke to a number of other importers, some of whom are flying out to Colombia next week.  They tell us that while some areas have been hit, other areas are totally unaffected.  In addition, while demand for Colombian roses is expected to be high, especially given last year's increased use, they have other sources, like Ecuador and Kenya, who have been unaffected by weather. As such, while it is not expected there will be any gluts … and as a result prices are expected to hold firm … supplies will be available to those who pre-order.

Article from Florist & Wholesale Buyer Magazine.



Valentines Day Red Rose Prices 2010

Freedom Red RoseWe are pleased to announce our Colombian grower direct Valentines Day Red Rose Price List for 2010. All orders are required by 22nd January to guarantee these prices. Other roses and flowers will be purchased at auction in Holland and prices will be quoted on a daily basis throughout the Valentines period. All prices are subject to VAT at 17.5% and any delivery charges if applicable.

Valentines Red Roses (large headed)

Rose Freedom (red) 40cm x 120 stems - 93p per stem
Rose Freedom (red) 40cm x 240 stems - 88p per stem
Rose Freedom (red) 50cm x 100 stems - 115p per stem
Rose Freedom (red) 50cm x 200 stems - 112p per stem
Rose Freedom (red) 60cm x 100 stems - 128p per stem
Rose Freedom (red) 60cm x 180 stems - 121p per stem
Rose Freedom (red) 70cm x 80 stems - 143p per stem
Rose Freedom (red) 70cm x 140 stems - 135p per stem
Rose Freedom (red) 80cm x 80 stems - 157p per stem
Rose Freedom (red) 80cm x 120 stems - 148p per stem

Valentines Roses - Solid Colour Boxes in Pink, White or Yellow (large headed)

Roses Pink, White or Yellow 40cm x 120 stems - 63p per stem
Roses Pink, White or Yellow 40cm x 240 stems - 60p per stem
Roses Pink, White or Yellow 50cm x 100 stems - 80p per stem
Roses Pink, White or Yellow 50cm x 200 stems - 77p per stem
Roses Pink, White or Yellow 60cm x 100 stems - 95p per stem
Roses Pink, White or Yellow 60cm x 180 stems - 91p per stem

Valentines Roses - Mixed Colour Boxes (large headed - not including red roses)

Roses Mixed 40cm x 120 - 50p per stem
Roses Mixed 40cm x 240 - 47p per stem
Roses Mixed 50cm x 100 - 67p per stem
Roses Mixed 50cm x 200 - 64p per stem
Roses Mixed 60cm x 100 - 82p per stem
Roses Mixed 60cm x 180 - 78p per stem

Please call us at Triangle Nursery with all enquiries on 01255 861263 or email us on sales@trianglenursery.co.uk

Kind Regards

Mark Kenny
director

Colombian Wholesale Red Roses for Valentines Day?

Thanks to tCharlotteheir beauFreedomtiful large flower heads, vibrant colours, sturdy stems and glossy foliage Colombian Red Roses really do have the WOW factor! Grown in the Sabana region with constant cool temperatures and excellent light levels these red roses produce longer lasting blooms that are not forced. In fact, independent trials have proved that Colombian Roses last longer. At Triangle Nursery, we will be stocking Colombian Roses in the run up to Valentines Day so that you can try them yourselves. Many of our customers have a year round standing order and already appreciate their quality. Even the shorter grades, such as 40 & 50cm stem lengths have larger flower heads than the Dutch 70/80cm varieties & usually have more than 50 petals per bloom! We recommend two amazing red rose varieties from Colombia: Freedom & Charlotte, (both pictured above).

"So", you say, "they are stronger, bigger, sturdier and last longer than Dutch red roses, I bet they are more expensive!!!" WELL THAT'S WRONG!!!! Infact they are much cheaper than Dutch Roses at Valentines because they don't go through the flower Auctions in Holland.