Where do our flowers come from?

The Black Rose of Halfeti

Where do our flowers come from?

Hundreds of millions of flowers are imported specially for Valentines Day. They come from Kenya, Netherland, Ethiopia and Latin America, usually from gigantic farms.

Kenya

Netherland

Ethiopia

The road of the rose leads to Africa

The Old Continent nevertheless has to import the largest part of its flowers. From Amsterdam, where the packaged flowers arrive by plane, the road of the rose brings us to countries closer to the Equator: primarily, to East Africa, Kenya (31%) of European imports of cut flowers, overwhelmingly roses, and Ethiopia (12%). Then, to Latin America, mostly Ecuador (8%) and Colombia (7%).

When roses come to your local store, they all ready traveled 7000 km and 72 hours. First they are cutted, then they are transpored by refrigerated truck to avoid any spoliage and then into an airplane. Two thirds of them are sold at auction to independent florists, and retail chains such as Interflora, Florajet, or Monceau, who will commercialize them via local retailers or at malls. Others will make their way to a workshops.

Giant farms and greenhouses

In the 1990s , large international groups invested in flower farms all along the Equator. The American fruit company invested in Latin America. British, Dutch and Indian companies chose Kenya, and more recently Ethiopia. On the banks of Lake Naivasha, in Kenya, giant farms can employ up to 5,000 people.

In East Africa, salaries for greenhouse workers, mostly women, are not high enough to cover basic needs.When a consumer buys a rose in Europe for 1,5 , only 0,03 will make it into the pockets of the people who grew it, 2% of the retail price.

The Black Rose of Halfeti

Black roses are incredibly rare.They are just like regular rosess, but their color makes them diferent. They look perfectly black,but they are actually a very deep crimson color. Black roses are seasonal they only grow during the summer and only in Turkish vilage of Halfeti. They bloom dark red during the spring and fade to black during the summer months.

Lord of the rosesThe Lord of the roses -- as it is affectionately dubbed by flower aficionados -- was forced to up roots and move from home, along with all the residents of the old Halfeti when the Dam came to town.

The construction of Dams 1990s Halfeti and the surrounding villages are submerged in the waters of the Euphrates .

The new Halfeti, built on what used to be the village of Karaotlak, along with its previously endemic black rose, did not have to move far -- only 10 kilometers from its former location -- but it was enough to ruffle the petals of the rare flower.

The district officials decided to act to save the species from extinction. Seedlings were collected from the gardens of town residents and replanted, but this time closer to home in a greenhouse near to the former Halfeti town center.

Turkish people consider the flowers to be symbols of mystery,hope and passion,and also death and bad news.

Why roses are black only in Halfeti, Turkey?

Black Rose grows only in Halfeti and anywhere else due to the special soil and climate by the river Euphrates,but soon turn magenta-coloured.

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Submerged potopljenruffle - talasatiPetals latice District okrugConsider uzeti u obzirmagenta-coloured magnetna boja retailers - trgovci

Questions:How long flowers travels before it comes to a local store ?What do Turkish people think about black rose?Are black roses an endangered species?What is the reason for flooding in Halfeti?What is the name of river near the village of Halfeti?

Literature:http://naturalgarden.org/the-black-rose/http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/12/16/rare-turkish-rose-is-the-most-heavy-metal-flower-youll-ever-see/ http://multinationales.org/Where-do-our-flowers-come-fromhttp://idtools.org/id/cutflowers/key/Cut_Flower_Exports_of_Africa/Media/Html/Other/Cut_flower_trade.htmhttp://www.odditycentral.com/pics/the-stunningly-beautiful-black-roses-of-halfeti.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-116968-lord-of-the-roses-grows-again.html