Frédéric Michel, edited by Yanis Darras 10:13 a.m., January 28, 2023

It is a bright yellow flower that revives interiors.

Like every beginning of the year, the mimosa harvest has just started.

In the Alpes-Maritimes, the Reynaud family, a mimosa maker for nearly 116 years, is busy harvesting its 20 hectares of farms.

Because the flower is particularly appreciated by the countries of the North. 

It is a flower that can only be bought in winter: the mimosa.

Only available for a short season, the mimosists are already working hard to deliver to customers as quickly as possible.

Because for the fifteen producers present in the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes, in the Mandelieu region, time is running out, the harvest season for this flower only lasting from December to early March.

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A chiseled logistics 

"It's a fairly hardy plant, which doesn't need a lot of water or fertilizer. It's quite economical in production," explains Fabien Reynaud, horticulturist at Pégomas.

"But the biggest job is harvesting on steep terrain," he continues.

A story that lasts, since his family has been growing this flower for nearly 116 years. 

So, after so many years, the Reynaud family learned to maximize the harvest, on their 20 hectares of farms.

"In 24 hours, we will cut the mimosas. The flower bouquets will be directly put on sale and the green bouquets will go to the forcerie. They will stay there between 12 and 24 hours, which will make them bloom. And the next day , they are going on an expedition", he explains at the microphone of Europe 1. 

Northern countries very fond of mimosa

And the demand is strong.

Because the mimosa is the possibility for many to treat themselves to a little piece of the Mediterranean at home.

"Above Lyon, they love it," says Cécile Reynaud, who handles sales for the family farm.

"The countries of the North are also very fond of it, such as Germany, Holland, Belgium and even the Scandinavian countries. It is both a flower that brings good luck in the heart of winter and also symbolizes the sun. , the coming spring".

And for the Alpes-Maritimes, this harvest period is essential.

The mimosa alone represents nearly 20% of local horticultural production.