The insecticides used on the farm are all natural, obtained locally from sugar processing residues and neem-based products. Results have been impressive. In fact, our flowers are now commanding a price premium. Natural Synergies plans to reach production capacity of 11 million stems two years from now, and expand from 15 to 60 different varieties of orchids. At the moment, most of the orchids produced are Dendrobiums, though this year both Mokaras and Arandas are being grown as well.
Cymbidiums are to be added to the mix, grown at higher elevation in the nearby Blue Mountains.
Product is sent abroad via passenger and cargo flights on KLM and Lufthansa from Madras airport, which is about 22 miles from the farm. Natural Synergies owns a refrigerated truck, so it picks up 60,000 stems of roses per week from Bangalore-based rose farmers and sends these along with about 15,000 to 30,000 stems per week of orchids. Consumer reaction to Natural Synergies' orchids has been overwhelmingly favorable, according to Raghavan, and demand for the flowers in strong. Our Dutch importer always wants more product than we are able to supply at the moment, and I think our opportunities to expand into other markets are very good. For example, I recently took two unmarked boxes of orchids, one from Thailand and one from our farm, to the flower market in New York City, and every wholesaler I talked to liked our flowers better.