SME Community - Planters Development Bank

“Over the five
years we developed a
very clear cut leading
edge that would
distinguish us in the
market. In this scale
of production, we’re
the only one”
Photos by Carlo Sanchez
Hues of red, yellow, brown, pink,
peach, and white welcome Gerry
and Gie Bote every time they visit
their anthurium farm located at the foot of
Mt. Malarayat in Batangas.
With the sprawling land, fresh air and
coconut trees, it could pass off as a vacation
house or perhaps the perfect retirement
farm. But, this five-hectare land isn’t meant
for relaxation.
It is the home of Agrikultura Pilipina
Inc., the biggest anthurium business in the
country. They harvest 8,000 flowers, twice
a week—which totals to almost a million
picked flowers in a year.
A risk taker
When he started the business, Gerry
had no passion for taking care of plants or
flowers. But when the opportunity knocked,
his strong entrepreneurial spirit ignited his
interest.
In the 1980’s, Hawaii (pioneer in
commercial anthurium growing) was struck
by a plant epidemic that almost wiped out
their anthurium industry. Gerry and Gie saw
then the potential for growing anthuriums
in the country. “We had land, we didn’t
know what to do with it. And we thought,
we’re closer to Japan (prime importer of
anthuriums) than Hawaii is to Japan, and so
we jumped into it,” Gerry narrates.
Going into the business half-blind,
Gerry learned the ropes of farming and the
special demands of anthuriums, the hard
way. “They are very difficult to grow. If I knew
what I know now, I wouldn’t get into it,” he
features
jokingly remarks. “Farming is not easy, it’s
not for retirement! You can’t manage from
the top,” he adds with a tone of experience
in his voice.
The first greenhouse was put up in
1992 on half a hectare of land. For five
years, Gerry stayed in Batangas to manage
the farm full-time. His wife managed their
other businesses and stayed with their kids
in Manila.
The couple had to make this sacrifice
after they were troubled by an insect
infestation at the early stage of business.
“It was just a few months after we started.
Because of the infestation, we threw 20,000
flowers a month for six months! Every
blemished or scratched flower can’t be
exported to Japan’,”he recalls.
In order to control the pests, Gerry
and agriculturist/industrial partner Nikon,
employed techniques that combined
the careful use of chemicals and good
management. Their hard work eventually
paid off.
Within the five years, the farm
expanded twice. From half a hectare, they
now have two hectares. The couple also
opened Holland Blooms, a flower shop that
showcases their anthurium varieties as well
as up and coming “test” varieties that are not
yet commercially available in the market.
“Over the five years we developed
a very clear cut leading edge that would
distinguish us in the market. In this scale
of production, we’re the only one,” Gerry
states.
A specialized flower
The anthurium is globally known as
a sympathy flower. It is distinctly popular
for its long shelf life. Yet ironically, it’s very
delicate to grow.
Anthuriums don’t have layers that can
be peeled off and they easily get bruised.
Anthuriums are also very attractive to pests
since—and this is another revelation—
they are not really flowers but leaves.
Nature just gave it a colourful spathe —
the leaf equivalent of petals to attract the
bees.
To harvest the perfect anthuriums,
each greenhouse in the farm simulates
the conditions in a rain forest—the natural
habitat of anthuriums. They even pipe in
some music and natural sounds found in the
rain forests of South America to encourage
the flowers to grow.
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 / 11