Chrysanthemum nursery set up in Keppetipola
Lassana Flora of Sri Lanka and Deliflor of the Netherlands, one of the largest chrysanthemum breeders worldwide, have set up a Chrysanthemum Nursery Project in Keppetipola with an investment of Rs. 100 million.
Lassana Flora will produce more than 30 varieties and colours of chrysanthemums for the Sri Lankan and international markets, as a result of this partnership.
“Perhaps no other flower can surprise us with such a versatility of shapes and colours as chrysanthemums do,” said Managing Director of Lassana Flora, Dr. Lasantha Malavige.
“These flowers are grown in keeping with the best practices of floriculture while maintaining the cold chain and the post-harvest management process which can extend vase-life beyond a week”. Harvesting of the flower, once planted, takes between 75 to 90 days.
Dr. Malavige said new plants will be imported to be maintained as mother plants. “We have done several trials and have identified the best varieties that suit the Sri Lanka terrain and weather conditions”.
He said that the chrysanthemum would be grown exclusively in green houses where daylight is extended using artificial lighting. The 10,000 square metre farm in Keppetipola, he said, is located 1,200 metres above sea level and, when fully completed, will cover more than 15,000 square metres of green houses.
“We are diligently working on bringing down the cost of production by using the latest technology. Our ultimate aim is to pass this onto the customer thus ensuring unmatched quality at an affordable price to all.
“Vase life has been a major problem for any flower in Sri Lanka due to our weather conditions. This is a major hindrance and hence people need to buy flowers more frequently. With this seven-day guarantee, customers can now enjoy freshness and beauty for a longer time,” he said.