Cape Flora SA

Exporting proteas and other fynbos requires careful post-harvest handling to preserve quality, reduce moisture loss and maintain vase life throughout the journey.

Immediately after harvesting, stems are placed in buckets of water and transported by tractor to the pack shed. At the facility, each stem is processed by cutting it to an exact length, removing lower leaves and checking the flower for size, maturity, damage and overall export quality.

The flowers are then packed dry into ventilated export cartons. Packing rate depends on the variety and flower size; larger proteas require more space and fewer stems can therefore be packed into each carton.

Before dispatch, the cartons undergo a final quality-control inspection and are transferred to cold storage. The aim is to have as little interruption as possible in the temperature-controlled system, known as the cold chain, which continues through road transport, airport handling and air freight to the final destination. Maintaining low and stable temperature slows respiration, reduces water loss and delays flower ageing.

Most shipments travel by air. Flowers can be harvested and packed during the day, delivered to the airport the same evening, loaded onto a flight the following day and reach the destination market soon afterwards. Sea freight is also used for suitable products, with a typical transit time from South Africa to Europe of approximately 21 days.

The Netherlands is one of the principal destinations for Cape Flora exports and plays an important role in the international flower trade.

On arrival, a small section is removed from the base of each stem before the flowers are placed in clean water. This exposes fresh vascular tissue and assists water uptake after dry transport.

Cape Flora SA’s annual export volumes include approximately:

💐 2.5 million bouquets
📦 550,000 cartons of flowers
🌿 75 million stems per year
October is the peak export period for fynbos, with approximately 1,000 tons of flowers exported during this month.

For this edition of 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫, we found inspiration in the coconut, soft, earthy and beautifully understated.

A fruit known for its natural contrast, the coconut brings together a creamy white interior and a textured, fibrous outer shell which is simple, organic and full of quiet character.

This bouquet captures that balance through soft cotton, warm dried fynbos and earthy brown tones. The white cotton reflects the gentle freshness of coconut flesh, while the dried stems, seed pods and natural textures echo the rustic fibres and coastal warmth.

Together, these botanicals create a bouquet that feels calm, grounded and textural, a softer interpretation of harvest, shaped by nature’s neutral palette.

𝐀 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬.
𝐀 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐬.
𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫.

Ever noticed the little protective sleeves around some of our proteas and wondered what they’re for? 🌸

These sleeves play an important role in protecting the flower heads from natural elements such as sunburn, wind chafing, and even the sharp claws of sugarbirds.

Their purpose is simple: to help preserve the quality and appearance of the blooms until the perfect moment, almost like a protective cover for a wedding dress.

A question we often get is whether they affect birds or pollination. The answer is no. Cultivated proteas are harvested in their soft-tip stage, which means they are picked before they are fully open, at a point when birds and insects are not yet actively feeding on them. This means the sleeves do not interfere with natural pollination or feeding cycles.

It’s also important to note that these sleeves are not single-use. They can be reused if not damaged.,.

Ultimately, these protective sleeves help ensure the quality of export-grade flowers, supporting local farms, sustaining jobs, and contributing to the South African agricultural economy.

Behind every bloom is a lot of care, thought and hard work. 🌿

For this edition of 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑭𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓, we found inspiration in the guava — soft, sweet and full of tropical warmth.

With its fresh green skin and delicate blush-pink centre, the guava offers a palette that feels both gentle and vibrant, familiar yet full of surprise.

This bouquet captures that softness through layers of Susara proteas, their pale pink tones echoing the fruit’s tender interior. Bright 𝘓𝘦𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯 foliage brings the freshness of guava leaves and green skin, adding texture, movement and a lively sense of abundance.

Together, these botanicals create a bouquet that feels fresh, cheerful and naturally expressive, like a ripe guava picked straight from the garden.

𝑨 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔.
𝑨 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒔.
𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑭𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓.

For this edition of 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑭𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓, we found inspiration in the humble carrot - bright, earthy and full of personality.

A vegetable often hidden beneath the surface, the carrot reminds us that beauty can be discovered in unexpected places, waiting to be unearthed.

This bouquet draws from its warm, organic palette: golden yellow roses echo the carrot’s sunlit tones, while orange dahlias bring richness, texture and vibrancy. Pink Ice proteas add soft blush layers, and delicate Erica introduces a wild, natural movement that feels rooted in the landscape.

Together, these botanicals create a bouquet that feels abundant, playful and deeply connected to the season, a celebration of colour pulled straight from the earth.

𝑨 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔.
𝑨 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒔.
𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑭𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓.