Byron Gutierrez prepares
a bundle of flowers,
bound for Russia, at the
packaging center of
Ecoroses, located near
Quito, Ecuador.
w
By Amy Stewart
Photographs by ramiro Falazar
hen Ecuadorian flower farmer Esteban
Chiriboga made the decision in 1997 to
adopt environmentally friendly practices,
there was no playbook to tell him what
to do. If he stopped using fungicides,
what would prevent unsightly mold from forming on the
petals? Without insecticides, how would he keep aphids
from swarming in the hoophouse? And if he had to
give up chemical fertilizers, could he guarantee that his
roses would be ready to ship by Valentine’s Day? >>>
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