He grows the peony flower he imports from the Netherlands in his high-altitude neighborhood.

ANTALYA (AA) – VAHİT HAMDİ ÖZ – Vehbi Süleyman Özdemir, who continues to produce dried flowers that he inherited from his father in the Cevizli District at an altitude of 1100 meters in Antalya’s Akseki district, was successful in the production he started as a trial with the peony roots he imported from the Netherlands. Özdemir told the AA correspondent that he started growing peonies last year and planted the roots he brought from the Netherlands in November.

Stating that they started the first harvest in May, Özdemir stated that peony production is generally done in regions with high altitude and cold climate characteristics. Explaining that Cevizli District also has these characteristics, Özdemir said, “Last year, we started production with 8,600 roots for trial purposes. Although it is our first year, we are pleased with the results we have achieved. We also produce dried flowers and export our products abroad.

We thought that peony could be an alternative product in our region, we tried it and got positive results. he said. Noting that there is a 40 square meter cold storage in the production facilities, Özdemir stated that they can store the harvested peonies for approximately 45 days in order to extend their shelf life. – It is in demand as cut flower in many countries, especially in Europe. Özdemir stated that they produce peonies in an area of approximately 8 decares and dried flowers in an area of 400 decares.

Stating that the peony is a valuable cut flower that has been in high demand especially in the wedding and organization sector in recent years, Özdemir said: It is among the products sought by florists and organization companies in Türkiye and abroad. Since it likes the cold climate, it grows more efficiently in high altitude regions. One of its most important features is that it is a perennial plant. Once planted, crops can be obtained for many years and the yield increases every year.

In this respect, it constitutes an important alternative for manufacturers. Pointing out that peony production has become widespread in Türkiye in recent years, Özdemir stated that the export potential of the product is high. Özdemir, Peony is in demand as cut flower in many countries, especially in Europe. Its production has started to increase in Antalya in recent years. We are also planning to increase the production amount within our company.

he said.