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Today, fewer than three million locally grown stems are being sold annually. Even this total is being significantly whittled down every month as South American roses move to dominate the market.





At the start of the decade, there were at least six key rose nurseries in B.C., mostly family-run operations, growing between 20 and 30 varieties.





Today, only three growers remain and two of them are struggling to show a profit.





Some nurseries have already switched to growing other cash crops, such as cut cymbidium orchids. Others have turned their greenhouses over to cultivating hydrangeas, strawberries and specialty vegetables.





Crops of alstroemeria are expected to be hit next, followed by gerberas, which are grown by the millions here because they’re popular with florists.





Lilies are less vulnerable because they can be easily damaged during transportation, but the production of carnations was captured by South American growers long ago.