Bobier Sampaguita Farm

This is a family owned farm established in the ‘70s. The third generations of Bobier continue to cater the local demand of the sampaguita flowers in the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Samar.

Estimated demand of garland in the city of Tabaco alone is around 3,000 garlands per day while adjacent municipalities in Albay require only a fraction of it. In Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Samar, at least 1,000 garlands are needed per day.

In early 2000, markets were highly saturated due to overproduction. In 2004, there was a plan to convert the farm to other crops. By 2008, erratic climatic condition resulted in low production. With new techniques developed, Bobier farm continues to dominate the market.

With the booming demand, expansion of the farm started in 2013.

So what the things we should consider in sampaguita production?

Site selection

                Sampaguita prefers sandy-loam soil. It is not a shade-loving plant so removal of tall trees are required. However, retain trees on the boundaries to act as windbreakers.

 

Figure 1    Bobier Sampaguita Farm in 2008. Farm should be in an open field, with no large trees. 

Figure 2    Ivory (or strelleta) plants act as windbreakers and garland accessory. 

Land preparation

                Soil must be well ploughed and harrowed. For small farms, hoeing is more practical. Do not burn the weeds. Set it aside and let it naturally decompose.

Selection of planting materials

 Sampaguita can be propagated by:

1.  Stem cutting - Choose sturdy stems, preferably whitish colour. Do not select colored brown or green as these are still young. Cut for about 6-inch long.

2. Rooted stems – these are offshoot stems running horizontally near the base of the plant. Due to constant contact with soil, roots are developed. Using spade or hoe, carefully uproot the plant.  

Figure 3    Sampaguita propagule. Stem cutting remains the most reliable source of planting material.

Planting

Materials required:

1.       Tansi or pisi

2.       Tree guard or marker    

Plant sampaguita cuttings 0.5 m between hills and 1 m between rows.

Planting can be done in two ways:

1.       Direct planting – Place 4-6 cuttings per hill.

2.       Transplanting – place 1-2 cuttings per seedling bag

Figure 4    Sampaguita cuttings on seedling bag. Mortality rate is significantly reduced by up to 30% when sampaguita cuttings are allowed to root and fully develop as young plants in seedling bags.   

Figure 5    Four months old sampaguita plants.

Figure 6    Six months old sampaguita plants ready for planting.

Figure 7    Maintain healthy planting distance of plants to maximize the area.

Figure 8    Sampaguita at year 10.

Figure 9    Sampaguita plants in greenhouse.

Need more information?  Email: sandybbobier@gmail.com