The protea has future in Gran Canaria.

Thus the international expert in proteas said Gerhard Malan on his visit to the island.

South African agronomist Gerhard Malan, international expert in proteas, considers crucial technical support provided by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, that It must be added the union of the sector to progress the profitable cultivation of this exotic flower on the island, where he has found a habitat to breed closer to Europe than his native South Africa.

Malan made the remarks at the Agricultural Experimental Farm, last stop on his two-day circuit for nearly a dozen crops Island, where examined the 800 proteas planted and evaluated tests performed by technicians Cabildo, they enable advise "properly" producers, especially when determining what soil requires each 20 varieties in Gran Canaria.

In the world there are thousands of varieties of proteas, of which only 60 They marketed, and concentrated Gran Canaria 20 of the commercial because they found the conditions to grow its high brightness, mild temperatures and average humidity, besides requiring only 10 liters of water per plant per week, withstand transport and very well last longer than two weeks without getting mustia, he explained.

the protea It is considered an exotic flower, hence have a good sale price, a single flower is sold to a euro in the Netherlands and two in Germany and the producer can get you a return 1.5 EUR, in the case of the High Gold, the cheaper variety, while the most expensive reach 6 euros the unit with even greater profitability.

In this sense, It is essential to the cohesion of the export sector to be profitable, work intends to lead the Cabildo de Gran Canaria through a worktable you created with the sector, the insular counselor informed Primary Sector, Miguel Hidalgo.

Gran Canaria has five producers exporting 500.000 proteas year, while the rest sold on the local market, what it considers an important volume, in any case, can increase.

During his stay in Gran Canaria, Malan also visited Finca El Galleon, Santa Brigida, to assess the suitability of the soil and weather conditions, as the council plans to create another space to experiment, for what condition the land according to the instructions of the expert.

Malan, It is traveling to Europe once a year, will continue its journey through La Palma and then continue heading to Istanbul and then to Paris, where he will share his knowledge with other growers, as it has done in Gran Canaria with producers and technicians Island Cabildo.