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oral business
Grower Tour Garners Applause
Floral industry members gathered for the festive Fun ’N Sun convention hosted by CalFlowers, and the ower farm tours took the spotlight.
BTY E. SHAUNN ALDERMAN
he paradise-like communi- ty of Santa Barbara, locat- ed nearly two hours north of Los Angeles, is home to a wide range of celebrities
from the stage, screen and sports world. Fine dining and dockside eateries are popular elements of the restaurant scene that features fresh seafood and farm-to- table o erings of local cheese and pro- duce. In this atmosphere of extreme el- egance, beach-goers energetically enjoy rinsing o Fido and Fi at convenient dog-washing stations after surfside strolls.
During July 24-27, the seaside town welcomed oral industry members for Fun ’N Sun, hosted by the California Associa- tion of Flower Growers & Shippers. Based in Capitola, the organization has hosted the event every other year since 2010, but Fun ’N Sun started in 1989 and was origi- nally held as an annual event.
Long-time attendees always recommend the grower tours for wholesalers, retailers and everyone interested in California ow- ers and plants. Four tour buses were needed to transport attendees to the ower farms, where guides shared inside information and guests were delighted with colorful photo opportunities.
THE SUN VALLEY GROUP, OXNARD, CA
The Sun Valley Group Floral Farm in Oxnard, CA, featured a tour led by Lane deVries, president and chief executive of Sun Valley Floral Farms, headquartered in Arcata, CA. He explained the challenges and triumphs of the operation that grows many owers for the company’s extensive bouquet pro- gram, which includes Lisianthus, Matsumoto Asters and several varieties of lilies (as shown above). Tour attendees were fascinated seeing the demonstration of dedicated workers seated and methodi- cally planting White Daisy Matricaria.
JOSEPH & SONS INC., SANTA PAULA, CA
Starting in the cooler, tour attendees learned about cold chain management and saw fresh cut ow- ers cooling to 39 degrees. The variety of owers seen throughout the tour was dazzling — everything from Bells of Ireland, Green Trick Dianthus, Snapdragon and blue Delphinium. The fragrance of Stock was enchanting. Before enjoying the made-on-site taco lunch, guests wandered around the sun ow- er eld, where they also saw Queen Anne’s Lace blowing in the summer breeze.
WESTERLAY ORCHIDS LP, CARPINTERIA, CA
Visiting Westerlay Orchids
rst was akin to starting the tour with reworks. Phone cameras were clicking wildly
in the greenhouses as guests digitally captured orchids — double-spiked, cascading and miniature. The retail area for local residents and designers to purchase exquisite orchids, arrangements, tillandsia and potted plants, was well stocked and thoughtfully merchandised. Retailers could consider trying this splendid approach for the next big orchid push — a white bathtub lled with white Phalaenopsis orchids.
68 / AUGUST 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS