About Us

The Kitayama Brothers

In 1945 after WWII ended, the two eldest Kitayama brothers, Tom and Ray Kitayama came to San Francisco’s East Bay and worked for the famous flower pioneers, Yoshimi Shibata of Mt. Eden Nursery and Dan Shinoda of San Lorenzo Nursery.   In 1948 after three years as flower growers, Tom and Ray decided to open their own greenhouse.  Shortly thereafter, the two younger brothers Ted and Kee joined to form Kitayama Brothers in Union City, CA.  By the late 1950’s Kitayama Brothers had grown from less than one acre to the largest carnation growers in California with 40 acres under glass. In 1966, Ray moved to Brighton Colorado and quickly opened what would soon be the largest greenhouse in Colorado.  In the early 1970’s Kee Kitayama opened Kitayama Brothers Watsonville.  By the late1970’s, Kitayama Brothers was the largest greenhouse grower in the USA with over 5 million sq ft of greenhouse mainly producing roses.  

Expansion and Quality Bring Success

Over the last 20 years the US flower industry has undergone a huge transition.  More than half of the California flower growers in business 20 years ago are now closed.  Today more than 70% of the flowers used in the United States are grown offshore.  During that same period, Kitayama Brothers downsized to our current location in Watsonville.  In 2008 Kitayama Brothers embarked on an expansion program with the acquisition of GE Moore, a well known novelty flower shipper.  In 2010 Kitayama Brothers expanded again by acquiring GrowFloral and Kitayama Brothers San Jose and Kitayama Brothers Hayward from Greenleaf Wholesale Florist.  Despite enduring the worst recession since the Great Depression, these two acquisitions have doubled Kitayama Brothers revenue.  Our success has been a result of continuing to grow excellent quality flowers in the face of constant downward price pressure.  For our future success we will continue to stress quality, while endeavoring to be the most efficient producer in California.

Flowers, People & Innovation: Keys to Future Growth

Northern California not only has a rich tradition of agriculture and floriculture but it is better known as the heart of innovation for the world.  Kitayama Brothers will continue to invest in our flowers and people and work to make innovation part of our culture like our Silicon Valley neighbors.  Exciting new technology in flower production, transportation, communication, marketing, and media present Kitayama Brothers with endless possibilities for growth in the future.  We believe a bright future in the flower business will be the result of bringing excitement and energy to our industry.