When you have smiling flowers and fresh sea breeze around you in the evening…
The atmosphere is so enchanting; it lures to adore the colourful blessing of Nature…
An agri-horti show is being held at Marine Ground, Calicut; from February 10-15th, 2011; under the joint auspices of different agencies like Department of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Peruvannamoozhi), VFPCK (Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Keralam), Mathrubhumi, Kerafed, Arecanut and Spices Development Board, etc.
Announcing the show, a two and four wheeler rally was conducted on 10th from Gandhi Park to Marine Ground. The participating vehicles were decorated with different types of colourful flowers including orchids. This procession was flagged off by Crime Branch Police Superintendent C.M.Pradeepkumar.
| Potted Rose Plants for Sale |
The show was inaugurated by District Collector Dr.P.B.Salim. Presidential Address was delivered by General Convener, Adv.Thomas Mathew. Many eminent personalities also spoke during the inaugural ceremony.
The romantic red rose and a wide variety of flowers and roses together create a beautiful world of colours at this flower show…
The show organised by Calicut Agri-horti society; has more than 100 participating stalls catering to sale of different types of rooted cuttings, seedlings, buds, grafts, layers and tissue cultured planting materials of many hybrid and exotic varieties. This covers a wide range of plants that can be used for landscaping and in gardens, at homes and institutions and even in homesteads.
Major attractions of the show include a wide array of colourful flowers and plants varying from orchids, dry flowers, Bonsai, lucky bamboos, Hawaiian and Australian hibiscus varieties, desert plants (cacti), ornamentals like roses, bougainvilleas and so on.
More than 80 types of endangered plants listed in Red Data Book have been collected for display by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Agro-biodiversity Research Centre; Kalpetta, Wayanad.
Technical Experts from the Department of Agriculture and Kerala Agricultural University are also conducting seminars and discussions on a multitude of related topics for farmers and entrepreneurs; everyday.
Ornamentals, indoor plants, roses, orchids, bamboo, medicinal plants, and many hybrid varieties of coconut, areca nut, pepper, mango, sapota, banana suckers of all popular types… are available for purchase at reasonable rates. Kolkata origin Basant; Banganappally and Alphonsa varieties of mango plants are striking. Tissue culture plantain varieties like Chenkathali, Nendran and Robusta are available at Rs.15.00 each. Bush pepper, Prathibha turmeric (Kasthuri manjal) also attracts people at large.
“Lucky bamboos are used as indoor plants and provides more Oxygen”-says Sheeba Anil of Nanma Plantation, West Hill. This is becoming popular as the green life component of Chinese Vaastu (Fengshui).
An herbal payasam prepared from bamboo rice with honey and many other herbals is another attractive and edible component of the show. Based on the recipe of natural resource rich Wayanad, “It helps to increase stamina. It is especially good for diabetic patients”- says George, the proprietor of Samagra Grama Vikasana Sangham. The payasam is available for purchase at Rs. 20.00.
Under the orchids section, both cut flowers and potted plants are put on sale for most varieties. Price ranges from Rs.175-1000.
The hike in vegetable prices has facilitated search for better seeds of most common vegetables. Kitchen gardens and terrace gardens are becoming a necessity for common man in urban areas as well. VFPCK meets this demand by providing quality seeds of most vegetables suitable for our conditions. Brochures and handouts on cultivation practices of improved varieties are also available for purchase by needy.
Vermi-compost pots that can be used in flats and small houses for bio-recycling of kitchen and domestic organic wastes using earthworms are also on display. The manure and vermiwash thus obtained is said to be an excellent supplement for orchids, ornamentals and kitchen gardens.
Homoeo Agro Care provides information of their eco friendly product – capsule type, residue free vitaliser; for complete plant protection and nano high-tech organic farming. By using this product, pests and diseases will disappear claims the group. It doesn’t contain any chemicals, hormones or micro nutrients, said the representatives of manufacturers; Mini Pharma, Jawahar Nagar, Kozhikode.
Energy efficiency and energy savings are also need of the hour. Modernized and effective traditional chulahs are also on display with adequate guidelines. Jeevan jyothi stoves, promoted by a Bangalore based firm Envirofit ,is said to minimize use of biomass fuels by 50%, generates less smoke and other injurious oxides, is potable; so can be shifted anywhere and is available all over Kerala.
Exhibition cum sales scenario functions from 9am to 9pm, until 15th February. Entry is through tickets, charged Rs.5 for students; Rs.10 for children and Rs.20 for adults.
A glimpse at the photo gallery would naturally inspire layman to fall in love with flowers…
Picture Gallery of Calicut Flower Show:
