See also Alexander Montgomery under Breeders.
[From
The American Florist, 1912, p. 1382:] Montgomery Rose Co., Hadley, Mass. ...A nice home for the junior Mr. Montgomery and his wife and growing children has been built some distance from the greenhouses. The company consists of Alex. Montgomery, president; Alex. Montgomery Jr., manager, and Robert Montgomery [b. Kirkinner, Wigtownshire, Scotland - August 5, 1919 Natick, Mass., brother of Alexander Montgomery Sr.], treasurer...
[From "Western New England", 1912, p. 296:] The Montgomery Company, Inc., Rose Growers. This is by far the largest and most important new industry started in this community for a long time. Three years ago they bought fifty acres of land in East Hadley and a ...."Hadley," and a brilliant carmine called the "Mrs. Charles Russell," the only rival of the "American Beauty," which is now being put out by the Waban Rose Conservatory. The company sells a great many roses at retail to the people of Amherst and Northampton and vicinity, year later commenced building , and now they have six but the bulk of their trade is....]
Montgomery Rose Co. started growing roses in Hadley, Massachusetts, in 1909. Montgomery Rose Co. is the largest growers of high quality cut roses east of the Mississippi. They have been supplying roses to area florists and wholesalers since 1909. They grow over 25 varieties of hybrid tea and sweetheart roses, and generally have over 10 additional varieties in the test stage. Through Montgomery Wholesale Florist, they are also a major supplier of the high quality cut flower products to the New England wholesale and retail flower markets.
Montgomery Rose Co. presents a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of its facilities on its web site. They grow approximately 240,000 rose bushes under 12 acres of greenhouses. Cutting takes place 365 days a year, including Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Roses are cut at sunrise and temperatures must be at least 50 degrees.Montgomery Rose Co. is in the process of converting to a system of hydroponics to grow their roses. A growing solution is circulated through a filtering and fertilizing system and then out to buckets planted with roses. The hydroponic solution contains essential nutrients for optimum plant growth and is monitored for efficiency. The "soil" is made up of cocoa bean extract. This type of soil retains an excellent balance of moisture and nutrients.
The greenhouses are controlled by a computer command system. Temperature, humidity inside, wind direction, light levels, and moisture outside are monitored 24 hours a day. The computer adjusts the climate in each greenhouse to produce optimal growing conditions.
Although
Montgomery Rose Co. does not sell directly to the public, you can visit their web site and send a free
Cyber Bouquet! You can order Montgomery Roses through your florist.
