Horticultural News January - February issue

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By CATHERINE RIUNGU any time is flower time. Welcome to russian where they love flowers so much, no meeting occurs without people exchanging bouquets. When people meet for coffee, they carry flowers. all Parties – birthdays, weddings, name them, are not attended without a flower. When children join or reopen schools, they carry flowers for their teachers. The biggest flower day in this Eastern European nation is International Mother’s Day celebrated on March 8 annually. This day is to the country what 18 The blooming flower market of Moscow florists sell round-the-clock Ravi Patel, the Finance Director, Subati Flowers Ltd. The firm exports mainly to Russia. Valentine’s Day (<strong>February</strong> 14) is to the rest of the world. The big difference though is that every female including a baby girl receives a flower! “russia has the most romantic culture in the world”, said ravi Patel, Finance Director, Subati Flowers Ltd, a Kenyan grower that has excelled in this blooming market. russia is the world’s 6th biggest market for cut flowers, importing about $1billion worth of blooms a year mainly from growers in Kenya, Ecuador and Columbia. Most of these are sold in Moscow where florists are scattered all over the city, many H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I j a n u a r y - F E B r u a r y 2 0 1 2 trading 24 hours. according to Mr Patel, due to increasing costs of production in South america, Kenya is increasing becoming the main supplier for this market, that was traditionally dominated by the former due to proximity. But flowers from South america are more costly forcing the country to source for supplies from other growers, Mr Patel said. according to the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) CEO jane ngige, the outlook in Moscow is very promising because the flower culture there is complimented by a good economy creating a high demand. Mrs ngige welcomed the World Trade Organization’s recent admission of russia, which will make it easier to trade with the country, whose market structures make it a tight destination. “russia is a very good market but has equally tough challenges among them language, the many federations with different import regimes and cartels”, she said. russian businessmen in nairobi have started forming linkages to markets at home, a development Mrs ngige terms positive as it is likely to deepen market penetration considering these people are familiar with both worlds and will cut the language barriers as well as advise on market dynamics. She pointed out that the flower industry, in conjunction with the Kenya Ministry of Foreign affairs and the russian Embassy in nairobi have started initiatives to unravel this market. In august last year, a delegation of 30 growers was sent to Moscow to sample the market. “We, for instance, need to understand the dynamics of this market such as it severe winter that has a bearing on flower sales,” she said. The country’s autumn is awful, so is winter and spring during which everyone yearns for green leading to an explosion of flowers in the short summer period. Flowers in russia are also expensive relative to average incomes, with a single rose costing around 70 rubles ($2)
HIGH CONCENTRATION POTASSIUM SOLUTION TO CORRECT DEFICIENCIES OF POTASSIUM IN FLORICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND FIELD CROPS hyK is a concentrated inorganic formulation containing potassium and nitrogen. Potassium is the second major nutrient required by all crops, highly mobile and quickly distributed within the plant. The main function of Potassium within the plant is as a water regulator which in turn affects many plant processes such as: regulation of cell water content, cell turgidity transpiration rates translocation of photosynthesates and enzymes. Low levels of potassium can critically affect the growth of the crop, subsequently affecting quality and yield. hyK is a unique formulation containing a high concentration of potassium. This high analysis ensures optimum uptake of the potash where required and also assists the plant to create a leaf environment unfavourable to disease development. Analysis of hyK Weight/Volume Weight/Weight Total Nitrogen (N) 3.00% 1.95% Potassium (K2O) 50.00% 33.00 % pH: (10% solution) 11.0 – 12.5 Directions of use: 1. Always shake container before use. 2. Fill half the required amount of water in the spray tank. 3. Measure the required amount of hyK and add to tank. Maintain constant agitation. 4. Add remaining water to correct dilution. 5. Spray and ensure full coverage. 6. The product should always be used with a compatible wetter/sticker (not a buffer). Tank Mixing Compatibility Recommended Rate: 3 litres per hectare Water volume: 1000 litres Frequency of application: Apply 10-14 day intervals Although it is compatible with most, but not all pesticides, growth regulators and micro-nutrients, it is advisable to use hyK on it’s own in a tank mix with a compatible wetter only (not a buffer). Always carry out a phytotoxicity test on a small area before large scale application. Liability cannot be accepted for any loss or damage as not all pesticides and fertilisers have been tested for compatibility. Efficacy of any mix will depend upon crop type and growth stage, pesticide concerned, climatic conditions, water volumes and various other factors. Storage & Shelf life Store in a cool dry place away from the heat and sunlight with optimum storage range between 5-40ºC. Although hyK is low in toxicity, it can cause eye and skin irritation in concentrated form. It is non-hazardous and non-flammable. However, when handling the concentrate, protective gear should be used such as gloves and face shield. For agriculture use only A product of UK ● Available in 10 Litre H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I j a n u a r y - F E B r u a r y 2 0 1 2 19 Recycle Paper
Page 1 and 2: NO. 20 JAN/FEB 2012 Ksh 300, US$5 H
Page 3 and 4: H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I
Page 5 and 6: seasonal credit for food security Y
Page 7 and 8: GODOWNS FOR SALE/TO LET SAKU BUSINE
Page 11 and 12: ONIONS Onions are important horticu
Page 13 and 14: Wins Second MDG Award Eradicating E
Page 15 and 16: An Amiran agronomist shares a light
Page 17: secondary schools in the water scar
Page 21 and 22: For over 30 years farmers have trus
Page 23 and 24: Chrysal Africa now offers — Pre-t
Page 29 and 30: 40-50 % PA Fund job creation for on
Page 31 and 32: Sources of seed Farmers should use
Page 33 and 34: Anti-counterfeits committee chairma
Page 35 and 36: Harakisha....wapi page za AAK? you
Page 43 and 44: Jos Hansen (EA) Ltd, a pump supplie
Page 45 and 46: Belspray range Bellspray High N: NP
Page 47 and 48: Good neigbours traditional sugarcan
Page 51 and 52: Soil sampling using Trimble GPS now
Page 53 and 54: HORTICULTURAL CROPS DEVELOPMENT AUT
Page 55 and 56: HORTICULTURAL CROPS DEVELOPMENT AUT
Page 57 and 58: Between June and November 2
Page 59 and 60: Market overview sales volume
Page 61 and 62:   Self‐service Sales volume
Page 63 and 64: June  Flowers  9,324,582  3,2

Horticultural News January - February issue

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