Just like Bratwurst and the Oktoberfest, Freiland roses are also inextricably linked with Germany. Prices and acreage are reasonably stable, but growers of these cut roses are facing difficult times due to some extreme weather conditions. That’s why more and more growers are investing in polytunnels, but not everyone is entirely positive about this method of cultivation.
The Freiland rose season 2016 is in full swing; the first stems were cut in late May or early June, and the season often continues until September or October. ‘If the weather is good, they can sometimes cut a third harvest. Last year Freiland roses were supplied right up until November,’ says Hans-Peter Riskes, Team Manager of Assortment Management of cut flowers at the auction Veiling Rhein-Maas. This auction plays a central role in the marketing of Freiland roses, which are mainly grown in the regions Lower-Rhine and Rhineland in Northern Germany. They do grow cut roses outdoors in the Netherlands as well, but in general, it’s a typically German custom. Just as with asparagus, the German consumer cannot wait till the season starts.’
Stronger varieties
During the course of the past few years, several new, far stronger Freiland-rose varieties have come onto the market. ‘Some breeders believe that greenhouse or outdoor roses are also perfectly suitable as a “Freiland rose”, but we find that you will never get the typical Freiland-rose “character”. Göran Basjes explains that Freiland roses are for them a different discipline altogether. He is a breeder at Kordes Roses and responsible for their sales in Germany. They crossbreed some outdoor-rose “blood” into Freiland roses to create stronger varieties. ‘Health is one of the most important concerns now that fewer plant protection products are available. Rust, in particular, has become an increasing problem. ‘
According to Stefan Raab of Rockenberg, one of the major German growers with an acreage of 14 hectares, a great deal of progress has been made in terms of breeding during the past few years. ‘The newer varieties are significantly stronger and more resistant.’ We use approximately half of the plant protection products than we used ten years ago. That’s an important distinguishing characteristic in the market; consumers want a healthy and natural product.’
Polytunnels on the rise
Despite this progress, the Freiland rose acreage is scarcely increasing. That’s because the climate conditions are becoming more extreme. ‘It is becoming more difficult to deliver a good quality product,” says Bernd Nelissen, who grows Freiland roses in Nettetal, Germany, close to the Dutch border near the town of Venlo. Rain is a particular problem, making it difficult to control Botrytis. To prevent problems, some growers cut the roses when the buds are not yet open, to subsequently allow them to open in the cooler, but this is not beneficial for the quality.’ More and more German growers, therefore, choose to grow their Freiland roses in polytunnels. The roses are ready to harvest one to one and a half months earlier, which is a clear advantage and extends the season.
The breeder at Kordes introduced a special Sommerhaus series to the market several years ago. ‘These varieties are suitable to grow in tunnels, but have the shape and the natural appearance of an outdoor rose,’ says Göran Basjes. There is an increased interest in this species because growers want to spread their risks, and it also offers them a chance to grow a wider assortment.’
Some comments
Not everyone is enthusiastic about cultivation in polytunnels. According to Bernd Nelissen, the tints and hues of these roses do not equal that of the outdoor roses. ‘And it is not advantageous to quality when the tunnels get very warm in summer. This type of tunnel also requires a considerable investment. Besides, I think that the extended season does not benefit the price-setting because the seasonal character is actually an important asset of the Freiland rose.’
Stefan Raab is also not entirely positive about the “tunnel roses”. Freiland roses are formed by nature and have a variation in colour and appearance. Roses that are grown in tunnels don’t show this variation. However, these roses are sold under the name “Freiland roses”, which is worrying. As a supplier of real outdoor roses, you are quickly considered an ‘inferior’ grower because your roses might have a slight flaw.’
Quality appreciation
The prices of Freiland roses, which are on average a little more expensive than greenhouse roses, have been relatively stable in recent years. Nevertheless, Stefan Raab has reduced his acreage from 35 to 14 hectares in the past few years. ‘I also want to keep the company’s return stable in the future. For this reason, many growers are growing more of the same, but I think that it is better to take one step back, which will also lower your costs.’ The grower indicates that people will always be prepared to pay for quality. ‘The consumers still like something special. For instance, we have introduced some stronger-scented varieties. They require more work, but are also more expensive.’
The Freiland roses that are supplied to Veiling Rhein-Maas are mainly sold by florists, wholesalers, and market traders. There is not much interest from retailers, Hans-Peter Riskes explains. ‘Supermarkets and DIY stores want a uniform product and Freiland roses are not uniform; each flower is different.’ Hans-Peter Riskes does see openings in the market for new varieties and colours of Freiland rose, although a substantial expansion of his acreage is not an option. ‘It is, and always will be a niche product. Regular supply is very important for a stable price-setting.’
Fear of competition from Africa
Grower Raab thinks the future of the Freiland rose mainly depends on whether the climate change is going to continue or not. ‘If the weather becomes even more extreme, then it will be increasingly difficult to make a living from this product. If the climate stays temperate, the future will be secure.’ Bernd Nelissen fears that competition from Africa will increase in the future. ‘They are already experimenting with growing Freiland roses in large numbers. It is not profitable yet in terms of transport, but this may change in the future. Ageing among growers is another problem; many entrepreneurs have no successors, so these companies will ultimately disappear. But I also see opportunities because Freiland roses are much stronger than greenhouse roses and need less crop protection.’
Freiland roses in numbers
The German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) counted 228 German companies growing Freiland roses in 2012, with a total acreage of almost 230 hectares. Most Freiland roses are grown in North Rhine-Westphalia, but the areas Hessen and Rhineland-Pfalz are also well represented. The German company Agricultural Market Information (AMI) records farmers’ and growers´ expansion plans twice a year and has only reported a sparse growth in acreage of Freiland roses.
There are also some growers of Freiland roses in the Netherlands. Four million Freiland roses were sold at the Dutch auction FloraHolland in 2015, representing a turnover of EUR 1.5 million. This supply, which has increased over recent years, is who wholly accounted for by German growers.
According to Janneke de Jong, Product Manager at FloraHolland, Freiland roses are more expensive than greenhouse roses. In general, the roses are bought by wholesalers and floral wholesale suppliers with customers in Germany. The Freiland roses’ exclusivity and the seasonal character are important assets, while they also fit into the recent trend for curiosa, according to FloraHolland.
Ank van Lier
bloemisterij@hortipoint.nl
