Viking Roses Kenya’s spray rose variety, Rosa Loves Me® Radiant Rebecca, garnered significant interest at IFTEX 2024. The company plans to take reservations for this variety at IFTEX 2025. Angeline Abuti, the Selection and Marketing Manager at Viking Kenya, highlighted the substantial attention the variety received at IFTEX 2024. “Since that show, there has been a high demand for the budwood, but we decided to hold back,” she said. This approach, though challenging for a relatively young breeding company, is part of Viking Roses’ long-term strategy. The company has invested 25 years in cut rose breeding and has applied the same strategy to other varieties, such as Rosa Loves Me® Inger Kristine in Kenya and Rosa’s Amazing® Just a Little Bit More in South America.
At IFTEX 2024, the variety was not yet named. It was officially named Radiant Rebecca a few months later at the IFTF in November. The naming ceremony was presided over by Mrs. Kotut of Karen Roses, in recognition of her contributions to the industry. Despite her usual preference to avoid the spotlight, Mrs. Kotut was brought to the center stage by her former trainee and current MD of mZurri, Andrew Wambua.
Viking Roses will be present at IFTEX from June 3-5 this year (stand A2.08) to take reservations for Radiant Rebecca. According to Angeline, “If the positive reactions from buyers continue, we will increase production to meet the demand. This is just one of our offerings, as we will introduce more varieties at our stand.”
Regarding their exhibition stand, Viking Roses prioritizes substance over spectacle. “We are not aiming for a flashy centerpiece or elaborate display,” the team explained. “Our focus remains on our products and the open trials in Nakuru, where our breeding program quietly advances. It is built on garden and pot rose genetics, careful selection, and the controlled introduction of Rosa Loves Me® spray roses, large-headed garden types, and highly productive standards.”
