It
should be remembered at this point that each plant will produce only
60% of its potential yield in the first year. Each crop is harvested
three times a day to obtain the perfect cut stage for the export
market. The environment within the greenhouse is controlled to prevent
pests and disease. The crop will remain in production, depending
on performance and market demand, for between five and eight years.
Within minutes of the crop being harvested the stems are
carefully placed in solution and cooled to 4 degrees centigrade.
They will remain in this state for a minimum of four hours. Upon
completion of this process the stems are graded into sizes according
to the stem length and head size. The bottom leaves and thorns
are
removed and the stems are evenly bunched according to the specifications
of the customer.
Different varieties and colours are mixed into bunches along with
other varieties of flower to make a bouquet. These bouquets are
then placed in protective sleeves, which may already carry point
of sale labels, before food is applied to the base and each bouquet
is placed in carefully designed boxes ready for export under atmospherically
controlled conditions.
The boxes of flowers are then transported to Nairobi airport and
loaded onto a plane. In less than 36 hours of a crop being harvested
the
flowers arrive in Europe.
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