What works for Living Colors Nursery

There’s no denying Mitch and Patty Rabin’s commitment to the industry. After Hurricane Andrew destroyed their operation in 1992, they rebuilt and founded Living Colors Nursery the following year. Living Colors specializes in guzmania bromeliads, which offer long-lasting color, especially in interiorscapes. The nursery also grows orchids, including phalaenopsis, dendrobium and oncidium hybrids. Mitch calls them the aristocrats of the plant world. Mitch goes globe trekking in search of the latest innovations of bromeliad and orchid culture. “Patty and I are plant and nature lovers and are deeply immersed in our work,” he said.

The bromeliad combination pot, or the Triple Combo is a hot seller. Sizes include 6, 8 and 10 inches. They offer a variety of colors and an instant live plant color arrangement.

Our newest greenhouse is a 1-acre house from GGS in Ontario, Canada, built in 2004. It features a Dutch benching system from Logics Agro; bottom pipe boiler heat from Niagrow Systems in Ontario; a light/energy curtain; roof vents, pads and fans; high-efficiency watering system from Netafim; a rainwater-capturing system; horizontal-airflow fans; generator backup; reverse-osmosis water system; and a smaller, greenhouse-within-a-greenhouse air-conditioned area for bloom initiation of phalaenopsis orchids.

The environmental-control system from Eldar Shany in Israel operates the heat, humidity, light and temperature in the greenhouse. It has changed how we grow, how well we grow, and still has many opportunities for further use and development. It is always at work. I can get real-time information on the greenhouse conditions from my office or offsite via PC anywhere. When I travel, I can adjust the system. It also has an environmental condition history section.

Founded: 1993 by Mitch and Patty Rabin.

Location: Homestead, Fla.

Crops: Primary crops are bromeliads and orchids.

Production space: 300,000 square feet.

Market: Interiorscapers, wholesalers, garden centers and brokers.

Employees: 38.

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For more: Living Colors Nursery, (877) 667-2443; www.livingcolors.com.

April 2008