Date: August 24
South African breeder Future Fynbos is marking its 20th anniversary by introducing a new color to the Leucospermum genus, commonly known as Pincushion or Nutans. The genus Leucospermum, a part of the Proteaceae family, holds the distinction of having the highest quantity of stems exported from South Africa. This new color, named Ayoba® Pink, is expected to add a feminine touch to the existing range of Ayoba® Leucospermum colors.
The Proteaceae family, with 82 genera distributed across Africa, South America, and Australasia, has played a crucial role in the global cut flower industry. South Africa, being one of the 13 countries commercially growing this family, has successfully cultivated and exported species like Protea, Leucadendron, Serruria, and Leucospermum. In particular, Leucospermum has emerged as a major contributor, with 15 million stems exported from South Africa in the last season alone.
Future Fynbos, established in 2003, focuses on breeding within the Proteaceae family, developing protected and managed varieties through a targeted breeding program. Their Ayoba brand has introduced various new varieties over the past two decades to meet market demands and fill gaps in the industry. Each new variety undergoes rigorous field and vase life evaluations before being released, a process that takes around a decade.
Ayoba® Pink is set to debut as a cut flower this season, adding a pastel hue to the existing range of Ayoba® Leucospermum colors like Sun, Peach, Orange, Yellow, and Red. This new addition has garnered excitement from industry experts, including Master Florist Gregor Lersch, who sees it as a potential game-changer for the Proteaceae industry. Future Fynbos also has plans to introduce more color tones in the future, including hot pink and marshmallow pink.
As Future Fynbos continues its commitment to developing new varieties of Proteaceae, the release of Ayoba® Pink marks a significant milestone in their journey to provide innovative and captivating options for the floral market.