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Slideshow: Tour Kawahara Nurseries

We present a behind-the-scenes look of our April 2009 cover story, Kawahara Nurseries in Morgan Hill, Calif.

March 25, 2009

  • The new 'Calliope Red' geranium bred by Goldsmith for Syngenta Flowers is considered the best new red on the market. © 2009
    The new 'Calliope Red' geranium bred by Goldsmith for Syngenta Flowers is considered the best new red on the market.
    © 2009
  • An eyecatching combo with geraniums and bacopa. © 2009
    An eyecatching combo with geraniums and bacopa.
    © 2009
  • Kawahara's newer greenhouses have 16-foot-high gutters, HID lights and more natural ventilation. © 2009
    Kawahara's newer greenhouses have 16-foot-high gutters, HID lights and more natural ventilation.
    © 2009
  • Kawahara roots cuttings in 25 mm and 45 mm Ellepots. General Manager Keith Francis says the benefits have been better rooting an © 2009
    Kawahara roots cuttings in 25 mm and 45 mm Ellepots. General Manager Keith Francis says the benefits have been better rooting an
    © 2009
  • The Ellepot machine is known as "the soil sausage machine." The Danish technology was adapted from the cigar industry. © 2009
    The Ellepot machine is known as "the soil sausage machine." The Danish technology was adapted from the cigar industry.
    © 2009
  • Outdoor benches are used to harden crops off, like spring pansies in the back. © 2009
    Outdoor benches are used to harden crops off, like spring pansies in the back.
    © 2009
  • Light pink flats have been a brand differentiator for Kawahara Nurseries for many years. But with colored plastic requiring more © 2009
    Light pink flats have been a brand differentiator for Kawahara Nurseries for many years. But with colored plastic requiring more
    © 2009
  • Kawahara has developed a market for cyclamen as outdoor bedding plants. "Cyclamen are our key crop for the fall," says Sales Man © 2009
    Kawahara has developed a market for cyclamen as outdoor bedding plants. "Cyclamen are our key crop for the fall," says Sales Man
    © 2009
  • Vigoro is a brand growers produce for Home Depot. © 2009
    Vigoro is a brand growers produce for Home Depot.
    © 2009
  • Gerberas are a premium seed item in the Garden Jewels collection, which is mostly vegetative annuals. © 2009
    Gerberas are a premium seed item in the Garden Jewels collection, which is mostly vegetative annuals.
    © 2009
  • California Premium is a brand Kawahara developed to promote independent retailers. © 2009
    California Premium is a brand Kawahara developed to promote independent retailers.
    © 2009
  • A beautiful combo featuring petunias and lilac bacopa. © 2009
    A beautiful combo featuring petunias and lilac bacopa.
    © 2009
  • Featured on our April cover from the left are Ken Portue, Dave Fox, Dave Kawahara, Keith Francis and John Kawahara. © 2009
    Featured on our April cover from the left are Ken Portue, Dave Fox, Dave Kawahara, Keith Francis and John Kawahara.
    © 2009
  • Grab-and-Go patio containers have become a very important crop in large volumes. © 2009
    Grab-and-Go patio containers have become a very important crop in large volumes.
    © 2009
  • Impatiens have always been Kawahara's signature bedding plant crop. The flower is part of the company's logo. © 2009
    Impatiens have always been Kawahara's signature bedding plant crop. The flower is part of the company's logo.
    © 2009
  • More than 5 million impatiens seeds will be sown into plugs this spring season. © 2009
    More than 5 million impatiens seeds will be sown into plugs this spring season.
    © 2009
  • Sales Manager Dave Fox shows us a perfect plug tray. © 2009
    Sales Manager Dave Fox shows us a perfect plug tray.
    © 2009
  • Zonal geraniums are now Kawahara's top gallon item. Up until nine years ago, all the crops were seed based. © 2009
    Zonal geraniums are now Kawahara's top gallon item. Up until nine years ago, all the crops were seed based.
    © 2009
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Ranked at No. 40 on our Top 100 Growers, Kawahara Nurseries maintains a healthy, diversified customer base. The operation owned by Dave and John Kawahara has grown to serve large retailers, like Home Depot and Costco, without losing sight of its roots serving independent garden centers and landscapers. Regional chain Orchard Supply Hardware is another key customer.

We had the chance to visit in February, just before spring was getting underway in California. The Kawaharas have built their business on signature crops and are dedicated to perfecting production. Check out their production facilities and product offerings in the slideshow below.

 

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Comments (2)
(Thu Dec 22 02:10:06 2011)

Your facility is amazing, I have had the chance to see some of your beautiful flowers and plants first hand, both at my nephews home and sisters. David is my nephew and I'm very proud of the work he's doing along with his enthusiasm in doing what he loves best, working with nature and of course the team at Kawahara. I believe he inherited his love of plants from his Papa who was a landscape gardener. How proud he would have been! You are all a wonderful team and it shows in you crops. Sincerely, Jeanne Walsh

(Mon Sep 26 17:28:24 2011)

Your facility is amazing, I have had the chance to see some of your beautiful flowers and plants first hand, both at my nephews home and sisters. David is my nephew and I'm very proud of the work he's doing along with his enthusiasm in doing what he loves best, working with nature and of course the team at Kawahara. I believe he inherited his love of plants from his Papa who was a landscape gardener. How proud he would have been! You are all a wonderful team and it shows in you crops. Sincerely, Jeanne Walsh