We will periodically be bringing you highlights of what’s going on across the markets – fresh and hardgoods alike. We’ll touch on topics like supply & demand, season beginnings/endings, weather forecasts and everything in between. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Enjoy!
Greens
Leatherleaf- Hurricane Matthew caused major damage to a lot of Florida greens producers, especially Leatherleaf. It’s estimated that 75% of the ferneries have been damaged. Massive amounts of acreage have been left uncovered and therefore vulnerable to the elements. This damage will take quite some time to recover. There will be significant shortages in Leatherleaf, and all growers have increased prices. Luckily we also have good sources in Costa Rica and a new supplier in Honduras, which will help ease the shortages.
Other Florida Greens– Most other Florida greens production was similarly affected, so availability may be limited on lots of other items. We expect pricing to increase for at least the next 4-6 weeks on all of these items, including Aspidistra, Galax, Lily Grass, Ivy, Magnolia, Nagi, Pitt, Plumosa, Springerei, Sword Fern and Tree Fern.
Roses
Colors- There has been a little relief in the availability of colors and prices are not quite as high has they have been the last couple of weeks. Fall colors are still in great demand and prices are higher but that is normal.
Reds and Whites– Demand is finally catching up to supply on Reds so the market is starting to tighten up. Farms are also starting to ship heavily to Europe for a holiday called All Saints Day. They’ll be shipping lots of Reds and Whites so we do expect to see Red and White prices start to increase. They will probably go back down the end of October and then increase again in December as they always do.
Novelties
Stock- A few weeks back temperatures were over 100 degrees in the growing regions in California. Stock does not care for heat and goes into what we call “heat check”. The growers have been doing their best to fill our orders but they are coming up short. There will be shortages next week on most colors, particularly Burgundy and Magenta. We have been filling in where we can with South American stock. Please do not turn a blind eye on South American stock as this may be all we get.
Snapdragons– Production of snaps in California has begun to taper off and demand has increased. The Canadian growers will begin to see their production go down and prices have returned to normal. Burgundy snaps are very limited. Though the growers do increase production of Burgundy, they did not plant to meet this years demand. Burgundy will be difficult throughout the fall and Christmas season.
Matsumotos & Dianthus- The supply of Matsumotos has dramatically decreased. You may see shortages in supply next week. There is a good supply of Green Dianthus for this week and a good supply of Amazon Dianthus with the exception of Burgundy. Please take a look at some of the other varieties of dianthus we carry like the Solomio and the Star varieties.
Dianthus Solomio
Dianthus Star
Leucadendron and Protea– The demand for Leucadendron is on the rise and there is a good selection for next week. There is a great supply this time of year. Pink protea from CA has begun to increase as will the number of varieties. Banksia Protea from California is finished. We will have some Dried Tinted Orange and Red from Holland for next week. You should also take a look at the Banksia Coccinea.
Local Sunflowers– Local production is starting to wind down as we start to see frost and cooler weather. We will start bringing in more Sunflowers from South America and California.
Other Local Product– All other Local products will be affected by the frost and cooler weather, including Local Dahlias. These items will start to dwindle in availability quickly.
Basics
Availability of most items like Carnations, Mini Carnations, Gyp, Pomps, Mums and Liatris should be steady for a few weeks, until early in November when bouquet makers start to absorb a lot of product for holiday production. Of course Fall colors are more limited and higher priced.
Alstroemeria– There is good production of Alstro, but it is coming in as mostly Fancy and Select grade. Premium/Super Select production is limited.
Lilies- 2 Bloom lilies continue to be limited. California has VERY limited production of 2 Bloom product, in particular on White Orientals. Dutch production is limited and pricing has moved up by nearly 50% from the product we were carrying during August and September. Lily farms have now moved fully into Fall production which makes the availability of White Lilies very limited. White Hybrids, White Asiatics and White LAs are all limited in availability.
Limonium/Statice– All Limonium is in relatively short supply. No problems with Statice production. We will have our last shipment of Canadian Statice arrive on 11/2. After 11/5 Canadian Statice will not be available until the Spring of 2017.
Tuberose– Looks to be back in production and we will begin to have again for delivery this coming week.
Waxflower– The Waxflower season south of the Equator is coming to an end. You will feel the effects of this by the end of next week. Expect shortages to begin very soon.
Botanicals
Phalaenopsis Plants– Phal plant production remains low and plants are still in relatively tight bloom stage.
Outdoor Items- Hardy Mums, Cabbage and Kale are finished. Whatever we have in inventory now will be the last we see for the season.
Indoor Mums– We have nice local indoor mums as well as Canadian mums available. White cushion and White daisy still seem to be limited but there is some availability. If you have any orders for White in November, the sooner you order them the better our chances are of filling your order.
