Episode 712- Flower Ingenuity
I tour Kendall Farms with Troy Connor- learning all about the unique approach- to Flower Ingenuity- turning Challenges into Opportunities- Watch Episode 712 - Flower Ingenuity NOW!
Solution to the constant, yet ever-changing challenges in the growing and farming of flowers is in the spotlight. Kendall Farms looks beyond sustainability, incorporating regenerative practices that renew farmland. J arranges flower bouquets with the beautiful results of all this ingenuity.
In May of 2024- the “J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom” Crew and I made a Visit to Kendall Farms- to tour the Farm- with my Flower Friend Troy Connor. Cousins- Jason Kendall and Troy Connor- operate this Amazing Flower Farm in Fallbrook CA. You met Jason Kendall in Episode 310 - Water: Nature’s Life Force- where Jason told us about the Horrific Fire- that changed the direction of the farm- and cemented his and Troy dedication to rebuilding the farm- for the Better- implementing Solutions to challenges- and instigating their philosophy of turning Challenges into Opportunities.
Harvesting Wax Flower on this amazing Flower Farm in Fallbrook- is just one of the many ways we learn about the Ingenious ways Kendall Farms approaches their Passion for Flowers- Watch this episode - and Learn More about Kendall Farms HERE!
We were so fortunate that Sierra Delosreyes - Troy’s Assistant- created a schedule for our Day of Filming- to make sure we didn’t miss a single step- with Kendall Farms… THANK YOU Sierra for making this schedule and allowing our production to be so valuable and incredible!
Troy takes us on tour of Kendall Farms- featuring so many stops- that each have their own Flower Ingenuity built in…
Our First Stop is Solutions for Flower Harvesting.
Troy shares how the whole process- featuring Wax Flower Plants- are ready to be Planted, with over 1000 different fields filled with different crops - Troy shows us how each individual crop is monitored- and how his Amazing Crew of Flower Experts- determine what to cut- when to cut it- and record how much is harvested… all right in the field… with computerize technology that doesn’t miss a beat!
The Coolers at Kendall Farms- are filled to overflowing- with a wide variety of flowers and foliage that thrive in the Southern California Climate and Geography of Fallbrook! Watch this show to see all the different flowers that Kendall Farms Provides!
On site recording of each bucket is tallied after it leaves the field- and then is inventoried - and starts the journey from Field to cooler… but first there is an Innovative and remarkable transportation through Ultra-Violet Light that helps to reduce chemicals- and eliminates the dangers of Botrytis- a fungus that is present on most crops- Troy discovered during the pandemic- that Ultra-violet light could help reduce or eliminate Botrytis- by simply passing the flowers though a tunnel of the correct level of light! Amazing!
Then gravity takes effect - and moves the buckets along a conveyor belt from Field Inventory to the Coolers- in a remarkable transportation system that relies completely on gravity… Flower Ingenuity at Work!
Applying the correct dosage of Ultra-violet light- reduces or eliminates Botrytis- a fungus borne on Flowers and Foliage- making the flowers have longer vase life and increased quality! Watch this process in action in this Episode of Life in Bloom!
The computerize technology records information about each individual bucket- so that all flowers and foliage stored at Kendal Farms- can follow FIFO- *First In- First Out- inventory Management- that allows Kendall Farms to keep their Inventory Fresh- and ensures quality for their customers- at all stages- throughout the Cold Chain- as flowers are harvested, processed, cooled, packed and transported. This process is Incredible!
Troy shared Kendall Farms Mission to improve their agriculture process through Regenerative Farming! Here we see the compost process- that provided tons of organic compost- to continue to improve the soil mediums on the farm! Check out Episode 712- Flower Ingenuity Here!
Next up - our Visit with Kendall Farms highlights… Solutions for Water, Energy and Regenerative Farming! While Sustainability is a HUGE BUZZ Word in Agriculture- Kendall Farms champions Regenerative Farming- many times crops or certain farms- need to improve- rather than just sustain - their soil - at Kendall they continue to improve the soil and make the Farm and their Agriculture Better.
This includes Water Reclamation, California has strict water restrictions- and water is a Precious Commodity - All Water is reclaimed and recycled at Kendall Farms- not a drop is lost- and also water is collected and reserved in the Reservoirs - that have been constructed on the farm! Moving water from wells, and reservoirs to thirsty crops- takes electricity- and that is why Kendall Farms- has installed Solar- to create the electricity they need to do the job… yet another piece of the Flower Ingenuity we are featuring in this Episode of “Life in Bloom”!
Troy shared their Drone operations- that allow for more accurate and safe distribution of chemicals - when they are essential and necessary for their Flower Crops. Watch this might drone in action in this episode - Flower Ingenuity HERE!
The Featured Flower in this Episode of “J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom” is - Waxflower
Facts/Trivia
- Chamelaucium, also known as waxflower, is a genus of shrubs endemic to south western Western Australia. - They
belong to the myrtle family Myrtaceae and have flowers similar to those of the tea-trees (Leptospermum).
- Plants are woody evergreen shrubs ranging from 6 inches to 10 feet high.
- The leaves are tiny to medium-sized and arranged oppositely on the stems. They contain oil glands and are
aromatic,[1] often giving off a pleasant aroma when crushed.
- The flowers are small and have five petals, ten stamens, and are followed by small hardened fruit.
- In cultivation, they do well in dryer climates with good drainage and sunny aspect.
- The best known and most widely cultivated member of the genus by far is Geraldton Wax, which is widely grown in
for the cut flower industry in the USA.
Waxflower is the Featured Flower in Episode 712- Flower Ingenuity- See Fields of Waxflower in bloom and watch how Kendall Farms plants, harvest, processes and packs this flower in this Episode of Life in Bloom - HERE!
Our Next stop at Kendall Farms- is to see Solutions for Flower Bouquets. Troy takes us to the Automated Assembly Line- for Hand Tied Bouquets that are created - vased and shipped to Flower Sellers all across the USA. This Assembly line is create by use of a matrix- that allows many hands to be ultra efficient- and ensures a beautiful and high quality result- at the same time this process also ensures safety for employees and creates a happy and positive work environment.
This process also includes a final step that is based in Human Intervention- to ensure the highest quality- and provides a beautiful flower arrangement that is PERFECT for any Occasion! It’s the final human touch- that makes all the difference!
I took this opportunity to arrange some of these Amazing, Beautiful and Unique flowers- into an arrangement, showcasing the health and wellness benefits that Flowers can Provide. Taking your time to slow your pace- ensures you too - can enjoy these same benefit when you are arranging in your own home. To learn more about the health and wellness benefits of flowers- follow this link!
J arranges Kendall Farms flowers- and shares the health and wellness benefits that all flowers can provide… at the same time- J can’t resist beautiful flowers- and Kendall Farms has them! Watch J arrange Kendall Farms Flowers HERE!
Flowers from You- in this weeks’ Episode are from Vivian Eskanos of California- and her wonderful arrangements are showcased in this - my Favorite part of Every Episode!
My Visit with Troy and our Flower Friends at Kendall Farms-was Incredible… it was impossible for us to include all the Flower Ingenuity that Kendall Farms has to offer… and that Sierra set up for us- to film and see on our Visit- thus we felt it was imperative to create TWO - Behind the Bloom type videos- that include ALL the Amazing Flower Ingenuity we saw that day at Kendall Farms.
A Visit to Kendall Farms Part 1 - Premieres on uBloom.com - as Web Exclusive on July 14, 2025… You can watch that FREE Video HERE!
A Visit to Kendall Farms Part 2- Premieres on uBloom.com- as a Web Exclusive on July 21, 2025- Stay Tuned… A Link for that Video will be added soon!
My Special Thanks to Sierra Delosreyes for creating our Schedule for the day- and staying on top of travels - to ensure we captured Everything at Kendall Farms- Sierra - You are One in A Million! Thank you Troy Connor- for being an Incredible Host- and sharing your knowledge and passion for Kendall Flowers and Your Amazing Farm…
P.S. Be sure to watch the Credits- for a couple of Fun Outtakes- that share Troy’s Wonderful Sense of Humor- and amazing Friendship to “Life in Bloom” - THANK YOU!
I love visiting with Troy Connor- every time I have Visited Kendall Farms- it just gets better… Jason Kendall and Troy Connor- are an Amazing Example of how Passion, Ingenuity and Dedication come together- to create Great Things in the World of Flowers- Be sure to watch this Episode - Flower Ingenuity HERE!