HBA trial cut Hydrangea in Colombia to cater for growing demand

DE KWAKEL, Netherlands: Hydrangea Breeders Association (HBA) in De Kwakel has started a cut hydrangea trial site at the Los Aromas flower farm in Colombia. HBA planted fifty selections to be tested under local growing conditions, “The market requires new shapes and colors, which we are eager to deliver,” Agrion director Jaap Stelder explains.

Located at an altitude of 2,500 metres in the Medellin region, Los Aromas’ testing field will be planted with cultivars such as ‘Dream’, ‘Force’ and ‘Ice Cube’. These have a proven track record of performing in Kenya,” Stelder says. “Additionally we have planted some selections which with we are familiar, we think offer great potential. Now we have planted the trial site in La Union, we can show our customers all we offer at one central location. ”

The cultivation of hydrangeas in Colombia has to modernise, Stelder says. In Colombia, traditionally, a lot of white cut flower hydrangeas are cultivated. About 1,100 hectares are registered, but in practice, about 2,000 hectares of hydrangeas are grown, mostly by small growers on a low-tech basis. Stelder sees that sales to the United States, but also other countries, are increasing. “This means that cultivation has to professionalise and the assortment needs to expand. The market requires new shapes and colours.”

Alejandro Echeverri Mesa, the young entrepreneur who manages the HBA trial site in La Union, shares Stelders’ views and has a lot of experience in growing cut flower hydrangeas and carrying out trials. “We are very confident that Alejandro can contribute to HBA’s success in Colombia.”

HBA is represented in Colombia and Ecuador by Ball SB.

Photo: Tropical HBA cut flower hydrangeas offer perspective. Photo credit: Agriom/Jaap Stelder