Located on a great deal , Piket - bo - berg , in the Piketberg area of South Africa , Bugler ’s Post Farms showcases the unique beauty of Cape botany . The household business cultivates Proteas , Leucodendrons , and Leucospermums for the international securities industry . Its story date back to the mid-50s when Spike Ince bought the farm without any orchards or infrastructure .
" He was not only one of the early fruit growers on the mountain but became a pioneer in the field of proteas when he established his first mental block from seed collected from the Cederberg area in the 60s , " Marika Ince , Spike ’s girl - in - law who presently helps ply the farm along with the great crime syndicate , states .
The Ince kinfolk farm register how fruit and peak product full complement one another in seasonality . " It ’s a squad effort from begin to end . Everyone has a primal role , whether folding a box in which our intersection is packed or driving the end product to the airport . We are blessed to have an first-class core team of stave , without which we would not be able to do what we do , " she adds .
Proteas and other autochthonous flowersMarika explain that the flock ’s clime is very worthy for Proteas . " In general , Fynbos prefer flaxen soils , and that is what the mountain offers . Fynbos spring up of course here , which is a just starting compass point . "
She emphasizes that their focus is n’t on just any Protea , but specifically the King Protea , South Africa ’s national prime . " Ayoba ® Arctic Ice is a stunning and purple white king blossom , " she says proudly .
She adds that they have a very recollective break up window from March to December . " During autumn , each head gets covered with a substantial bag to protect them from not only frost but dust or equipment casualty on the clean exterior . "
Bugler ’s Post also grows seven different varieties of pincushion . " We offer many colors of pincushions , " she excuse .
This tramp from vivacious yellows and reds to the more insidious shades in between , which includes Ayoba ® Pink , the new kid on the pulley-block in the color compass . We also have three cone varieties which are chiefly grown for the Christmas market place . "
Having the best varieties is key"We are shareholders of Future Fynbos , a ship’s company that focuses on releasing new commercial protea varieties , " she share . " Through Future Fynbos we have access to these young variety and their earmark is AYOBA . "
When selecting a newfangled seedling , there is a plenty to consider : " Vigor , flower colour and sizing , timing , to mention just a few , " she says . " It is very satisfying to be part of the recollective physical process from seedling to commercial block . "
Marika also notes that 10 out of the 13 commercial sort they maturate , are Ayoba ® products . Last year we harvested our first Ayoba ® Blushing Bride , " she explicate . " It ’s exciting to see our farm ’s portfolio expand with these high - quality change from Future Fynbos . "
Managing challenges and control quality"To raise a honorable quality product , we have a squad of technical advisors for cultivation practices , fertilizer , and spraying program , " Marika says .
" Since everything is arise in the open , we are very much exposed to the elements and cold damage is a handsome threat for us . " She supply that spring is their fussy sentence and that they are in a late - bring on area .
Precision and handle with every bloomTo ensure the flowers meet the gamy standards , every step of the procedure is meticulously carry off . " Maintaining the moth-eaten chain is of utmost grandness . Once the flowers , which are picked directly into clean pee , get through the packshed , they are kept in a shaded area before they get packed . Packed boxes are force - aura cooled and loaded directly onto our frigid truck so the dusty mountain chain does not get infract , " she shares .
Bugler ’s Post heyday are export through South African exporters and sold to auction sale in the Netherlands and Germany under their own name .
The farm is actively involved in community of interests engagement . " We support local organizations and ply breeding to the next coevals of flower raiser , " Marika says . " It ’s important for us to not only be successful but to help others in the residential district learn and grow alongside us . "
She is very optimistic about the future . " There ’s always something young to learn in the industriousness . We ’re continuously experimenting with new practice and thrive with new varieties , " she says . " It ’s about more than just grow flowers — it ’s about make something beautiful that brings joyfulness to citizenry . "
For more data : Bugler ’s Post Farms[email protected ]
© FloralDaily.com/Tinneke Hattingh
