Rosas Flamingo flower farm grows several varieties of roses (red, yellow, two-color, etc.) in over 7 hectares. It is well known in the Brazilian and foreign market for its high quality roses.

It is located in Andradas, in the southern region of the state of Minas Gerais, one of the most favorable areas for rose cultivation.  Together with Holambra and Atibaia (both in the state of Sao Paulo), they are the most important rose-growing areas in Brazil.

In a greenhouse, a test area of 2,100 square meters was covered by 150-micro single-layer polyethylene film containing Ciba® SMARTLIGHT® RL 1000, under which was grown red roses of the Vegas variety, one of the most valuable red roses in the marketplace. Since August 2003, they collected crop data, such as plant quality, productivity, nutrition and the occurrence of pests or disease. This data are compared with roses grown in the same surface area covered with a standard greenhouse diffusion film.

Roses are cut and sorted everyday by stem length. Currently,  Rosas Flamingo farm is marketing 40-, 50-, 60- and 70-cm stem length.  Roses with 60- and 70-cm stems command the highest market value, since the final sales price of these roses may be up to 95% higher than poorer quality roses (40- and 50-cm stem roses).

During the first months of the test, they noticed a dramatic increase in leaf volume, in stem length and in bulb size, without having modified the nutritional and other growing conditions. “We’ve seen an increase of 57% more premium-quality (70cm) roses as compared with standard greenhouse film. We’ve gotten longer stems, more brilliant leaves, more beautiful buds, and nicer color--much better for classifying, for packing and also for selling,” comments Nice Amelia da Silva Marques, Export Supervisor of Rosas Flamingo Farm.

The presence of pests and disease in rose plants was a major concern for the farmers. ”We conducted a test over 12 months regarding pests and sicknesses and we did not notice any difference. What we did notice in fact is a longer stem and a reduction of any blackening in the rose petals,” says Roberto Maria Van Rooijen, one of the owners of Rosas Flamingo flower farm in Brazil. “I am very satisfied with the results of the tests we performed regarding the quality and productivity of roses.”

Classification of cut roses of 40 cm (left side) and 70 cm (right side).

Roses cut in standard greenhouse

Roses cut in greenhouse with Ciba® SMARTLIGHT® RL 1000

In the period from August 2003 to July 2004, in the greenhouse covered with SMARTLIGHT RL 1000, was observed a 10% increase in overall productivity and 57% more premium-quality (70cm) roses as compared with standard greenhouse film. Even during the warmest season a dramatic improvement in rose quality was observed.

Learn more about Ciba® SMARTLIGHT® RL 1000