New variety of French rose introduced

Meilland International, a French rose breeding company, has introduced its latest rose variety in India for both exports and domestic market.

Tiled 'Exciting var. Meitizado', rose is long stem, big bud with an impressive production vase life of 14 days. It has a dark green foliage and has the ability to alter its hues daily, Bernard Durand, director, Meilland International told Business Standard.

This rose variety has characteristics of bi-colour i.e. cream pinkish on reverse, pink pinkish inside and dusts of hot pinks spots, he added.

The company has chosen Indian entry for testing its latest long stem variety of rose for it has different climatic and growing regions before being commercially made available for growing around the world.

A similar exercise was also done when the company launched its 'Pretty Women' and 'Grand Galla' rose varieties.

It is the result of about 5 to 8 years of research and selection before coming out for commercial production," said Durand.

Meilland is a family owned business, operating for over 200 years. As one of the largest breeder of roses globally, Meilland has over 1,000 variety of patented roses helping the global floriculture sector in over 63 countries.

Backed by government bodies like APEDA, NHB and state horticulture departments, the country is developing itself into be major rose growing hub.

P K Sondhi, regional manger of Meilland International, said it has been into floriculture for over two decades from just under 10 hectares in 1992 to current levels of 200 hectares.

Backed by strong research backing Meilland varieties are amongst the most favoured choice for the cultivation and marketing of cut roses both in the domestic and export markets, he added.