From its San Diego County farms, Mellano and Company grows yearround foliage including many varieties of Eucalyptus, Ruscus, Agonis, and Myrtle, along with Australian flowers like Waxflower and Grevillea. The farm grows the largest crop of Ranunculus flowers each spring season from their publicly accessible Flower Fields in Carlsbad. “I think we put the ranunculus on the map,” says Bob Mellano, Vice President of Sales of Mellano and Company.
While many of the flowers that were traditionally grown in California like Carnations, Roses, and Pompon Chrysanthemums have shifted to Central and South American farms, Bob says California is a leader in the cut flower industry, especially when it comes to the specialty cut flowers. “I think this market in Los Angeles is still one of the premier markets in the world in terms of the ability to find flowers to take care of the (industry’s) needs, whether it be Valentine’s or any other needs,” says Bob.
He agrees that even though a lot of flower production has moved south and out of California, there are many advantages to sourcing locally. “Flowers like Dahlias and Ranunculus don’t travel well,” says Bob. These flowers are best when sourced locally and many others are just better when they can be trucked overnight after being harvested from the farm and brought to market.
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Source:
Bloomin’ News
Written & Photographed by Kit Wertz
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