• 50 or 60 cm for compact retail and mixed-bouquet programs.
• 70 cm for designs requiring a longer line.
• 100 cm for selected cultivars and tall installations, subject to current farm availability.

What it proves: A mismatch may indicate an order or grading issue, but stem length and thickness cannot prove or disprove Ecuadorian origin.

Check 2. Stem, thorn, and foliage condition

Assess the delivered cultivar against its specification, including:

• Stem strength and diameter appropriate to the ordered grade.
• Thorn pattern, which varies by cultivar and farm practice.
• Foliage condition including color, damage, dehydration, pests, or disease symptoms.

Do not use a comparison with local or Kenyan roses as an origin test; those characteristics also vary widely.

Check 3. Bloom condition and cultivar conformity

Compare the bloom with the approved variety, grade, and cut stage:

• Bloom firmness should be assessed without damaging the flower and in relation to the specified opening stage.
• Petal count varies by cultivar and is not a country-of-origin marker.
• Bloom form should match the cultivar description and current reference photos.
• Color and visible condition should be checked for off-color, spotting, Botrytis symptoms, bruising, or other defects.

Check 4. Packing and labels

Ecuadorian roses may arrive in grower, exporter, or consolidator boxes. Traceable labels should normally identify or cross-reference:

• The grower or exporter name.
• The variety and color description.
• The stem-length grade.
• The declared pack count.
• A lot, barcode, or shipment reference.

Important: Neutral repacking can be legitimate during consolidation. Ask for the packing list and lot cross-reference rather than treating the box alone as proof of fraud.

Check 5. Trade and plant-health documents

The required set varies by destination, shipment, and importer. Relevant documents may include:

• Phytosanitary certificate confirming the plant-health inspection stated on the document; it is not a general quality or pesticide-residue certificate.
• Customs declaration where applicable, with the declared country of origin and commodity details required by the destination authority.
• Commercial invoice from the seller named in the transaction, with references that reconcile to the shipment.

Ask your importer or customs broker which documents must be available and how origin should be evidenced for the route.

Check 6. Receiving and vase-life performance

For the delivered lot:

• Record condition on arrival and run a controlled vase-life trial using a defined care protocol.
• Petal drop and Botrytis risk depend on cultivar, temperature history, sanitation, and care.
• Opening speed also varies by variety and cut stage.

Early wilting signals a quality or handling problem, but it does not establish the flower’s country of origin.

Check 7. Price and trade terms

There is no single global floor price for Ecuadorian roses. If an offer is materially below comparable quotes, review the grade, unit, pack, Incoterm, route, season, and payment terms before assuming it is equivalent. A discount is a reason for due diligence, not proof of counterfeit origin or a cold-chain breach.

Receiving checklist