Outstanding Varieties Competition winners -  Proflora 2023.

A jury with local and international representatives chose the best flowers amongst 428 varieties. The winners will set the trends in the main international markets during the next two years.

• Winners were selected for the categories of “Flower Producers”, “Breeders”, and “Grand Champion”.
• The participants were 59 flower producer and breeder companies from Colombia and other countries such as Ecuador.
• All of the participating varieties shall be exhibited at Corferias until October 6, Profiler’s closing date.

Bogotá, Colombia. October 2023.  During the first day of Proflora 2023, an event organized by the Association of Colombian Flower Exporters, Asocolflores, awards were distributed amongst the participants of the “Contest of Varieties”, in its different categories.

Augusto Solano, CEO of Asocolflores, said: “Innovation has been the core of Proflora since 1991, and this year was no exception. Over 200 new varieties entered the competition and they are all showcased during the three days of the fair, before the eyes of approximately 6,500 visitors from 60 countries who form part of the flower-growing sector”.

The main purpose of this contest is to choose the best flowers and foliage from each category, and to appoint a great winner that enhances excellence, quality, and beauty, as well as contributing to the fame of the flower producing sector at international scale by showcasing innovations and the quality of Colombian flowers. All of the above is nothing but the mirror of what Asocolflores is, in times when, more than ever, flower-growers are committed to generate employment and exports, while laying significant foundations in the conquest of new markets.

Fifty-nine companies from different countries participated in the competition. The categories were “Flower Producers”, “Breeders”, and “Grand Champion”. They presented for the jury´s evaluation, new textures, a wide color spectrum, and a final arrangement.

In the category of “Flower Producers”, several attributes were acknowledged, such as vase life, flower stem length, leaf size, cut-flower longevity, and flower quality.

At the same time, the category of “Breeders” highlighted development innovation of new varieties by local and international companies, as well as natural crossings with different seeds (hybridization).

“It is worth mentioning that a breeder does not interfere in genetic modification and therefore it can take up to 6 years to introduce a new variety in Proflora 2023. In order to obtain 3 or 4, the breeders had to carry out approximately 8,000 crossings of this type”, added Solano.

The qualifying jury was made up of 8 local experts and 3 international representatives. It was chaired by Rolf Timmerman, with recognized experience in international floriculture.

With the Contest of Varieties, Proflora 2023 continues to guide the trends of the world market. Thus, it sets the foundations for “Flowers of Colombia” to continue to be present in the most renowned flower shops, commercial showcases, cultural centers, chain supermarkets, and in the homes of more than 100 countries around the globe.

THE WINNERS ARE:

• Champion, Breeder Category

Company: Guaqueta Trading

Category: Otros

Variety: Voyage Improved japanese type

• Champion, Producer Category

Company: Plazoleta Bazzani

Category: Fillers

Variety: Tessa Lavander

• GRAND CHAMPION

Company: Plazoleta Bazzani

Category: Fillers

Variety: Tessa Lavander