{"id":812,"date":"2025-03-25T21:14:36","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T21:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/?p=812"},"modified":"2025-03-25T21:24:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T21:24:03","slug":"beyond-the-blooms-day-two-at-our-partner-alexandra-farms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/beyond-the-blooms-day-two-at-our-partner-alexandra-farms\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the Blooms: Day Two with our Partner, Alexandra Farms"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p><em>March 18, 2025 &#8211; El Jard\u00edn Farm, Colombia<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If Day One at San Ignacio revealed the heart of garden rose cultivation,\u00a0<strong>Day Two at El Jard\u00edn Farm<\/strong>\u00a0gave us a deeper look into the science, systems, and sensory experience that define Alexandra Farms\u2019 reputation for excellence.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-818 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7-e1742935692216-226x300.png\" alt=\"Picture of El Jardin Greenhouses.\" width=\"226\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7-e1742935692216-226x300.png 226w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7-e1742935692216-773x1024.png 773w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7-e1742935692216-768x1018.png 768w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7-e1742935692216.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 226px) 100vw, 226px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located in the\u00a0<strong>Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes<\/strong>, El Jard\u00edn is the newest of Alexandra\u2019s farms\u2014already recognized for its focus on innovation. The property spans\u00a0<strong>24 hectares<\/strong>, with\u00a0<strong>14 hectares under greenhouse<\/strong>, and was the first where Alexandra began cultivating\u00a0<strong>David Austin garden rose varieties<\/strong>. It\u2019s also home to\u00a0<strong>hydroponic greenhouses<\/strong>, which support\u00a0<strong>20% higher production<\/strong>\u2014a meaningful difference in today\u2019s challenging market conditions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-815 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/10-e1742935743977-225x300.png\" alt=\"Joey Azout holding a large dahlia flower.\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/10-e1742935743977-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/10-e1742935743977-768x1023.png 768w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/10-e1742935743977.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Post-Harvest Excellence<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During our tour, we saw firsthand how\u00a0<strong>30,000 stems are processed each day<\/strong>. Roses are\u00a0<strong>hydrated for 4\u20136 hours<\/strong>, then packed and shipped with great precision. <strong>No\u00a0product is stored for more than two days<\/strong>\u00a0in cold storage\u2014ensuring the level of freshness Choice Farms customers count on.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-821 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4-1-200x300.png\" alt=\"Three images flowers, the post harvest processing are and a close up of roses.\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4-1-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4-1-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4-1-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4-1.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We also learned how different\u00a0<strong style=\"font-weight: 400;\">greenhouse mediums<\/strong>, including Kraft paper<strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0and black plastic<\/span><\/strong>, are used to influence the\u00a0<strong style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shade and coloration of blooms<\/strong>. This kind of environmental control showcases just how much science goes into creating consistent, high-impact roses\u2014especially for the event and wedding markets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Fragrance Workshop: A Rare Olfactory Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We were honored to participate in Alexandra\u2019s\u00a0<strong>second-ever fragrance workshop<\/strong>, an immersive experience that explored the\u00a0<strong>scent profiles<\/strong>\u00a0of garden roses. From crisp citrus notes to rich, musky tones, the workshop reminded us that fragrance isn\u2019t just a detail\u2014it\u2019s a powerful element of floral storytelling.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-819 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-e1742936100640-226x300.png\" alt=\"Items used at a fragrance workshop for garden roses. \" width=\"226\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-e1742936100640-226x300.png 226w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-e1742936100640-771x1024.png 771w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-e1742936100640-768x1020.png 768w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6-e1742936100640.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 226px) 100vw, 226px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Florists working in weddings and events know the emotional weight of scent. Being able to pair visual beauty with fragrance elevates the sensory experience of every bouquet or installation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Roses Rooted in History<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While surrounded by modern innovation, it was humbling to reflect on a pivotal moment in rose breeding history:\u00a0<strong>in 1867<\/strong>, French rosarian Jean-Baptiste Andr\u00e9 Guillot introduced\u00a0<em>La France<\/em>, the first hybrid tea rose and the birth of the modern rose era. That legacy lives on at Alexandra Farms, where iconic varieties like\u00a0<strong>Westminster<\/strong>, with its silvery grey petals edged in pink, carry forward the tradition of beauty and craftsmanship.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Connection and Cultural Celebration<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cFrom the fragrance workshop to conversations during our design session, Day Two was a beautiful reminder that floristry is as much about relationships as it is about flowers. There\u2019s something powerful about connecting with fellow florists who understand both the art and logistics of working with these blooms.\u201d<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0<em>Behind-the-scenes reflection from the Choice Farms team<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-816 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/9-e1742935530614-295x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"295\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/9-e1742935530614-295x300.png 295w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/9-e1742935530614-768x781.png 768w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/9-e1742935530614.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 295px) 100vw, 295px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the day wrapped up, we gathered for a floral design session that was as collaborative as it was inspiring. The creative exchange was a highlight of the trip\u2014but it was the final surprise that left us speechless: a\u00a0<strong>traditional Colombian cumbia dance<\/strong>\u00a0performed by Alexandra Farms team members.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-824\" src=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1-1-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1-1-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1-1-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1-1-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1-1.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their joyful performance wasn\u2019t just entertainment\u2014it was an act of gratitude and cultural pride. Many of the dancers were farm workers who prepared the performance to thank visitors and partners. It was a reminder of the people behind the flowers, and the global partnerships that make it all possible.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u00a1Gracias, Alexandra Farms!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are incredibly grateful to the entire team at Alexandra Farms for their generosity, hospitality, and commitment to excellence. From innovation in cultivation to heartfelt cultural connection, Day Two reminded us why we\u2019re proud to partner with them in bringing world-class garden roses and other specialty varieties to our customers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-823\" src=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2-1-e1742935194707-300x200.png\" alt=\"Alexandra Farms Tour Visitors\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2-1-e1742935194707-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2-1-e1742935194707-768x513.png 768w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2-1-e1742935194707-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2-1-e1742935194707.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We also would like to extend our gratitude to our phenomenal travel partners that came from all over the globe to tour the farms with us. We hope our paths cross again soon!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>March 18, 2025 &#8211; El Jard\u00edn Farm, Colombia If Day One at San Ignacio revealed the heart of garden rose cultivation,\u00a0Day Two at El Jard\u00edn Farm\u00a0gave us a deeper look into the science, systems, and sensory experience that define Alexandra Farms\u2019 reputation for excellence. Located in the\u00a0Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes, El Jard\u00edn is<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":804,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/812","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=812"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/812\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":832,"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/812\/revisions\/832"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/804"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=812"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=812"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/popwebserver03.com\/devteam\/choicefarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}