Karachi: On Saturday, 26th February 2022, Pakistan Flower Show, which will be held at the A.K. Khan Park (formerly Seaview Park), attracted large audiences.
More than 500 plant varieties, including seasonal, perennial, and rare species, are on display this year in the floral exhibits set up by the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC), according to the organizers. In contrast, around 1,000 local and exotic species can be seen at stalls set up by specialized clubs and societies participating in the show and commercial nurseries.
The Horticultural Society of Pakistan (HSP), in partnership with the DHA and the CBC, hosts the festival every year, which ends on Sunday.
“This year, we attempted to expand the number of plant kinds. Visitors will also witness some new booths from organizations that are participating in the event for the first time,” said Salman A.K. Khan, who represents the HSP.
He remarked, however, that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), which was previously the largest plant nursery organization, had been absent from the HSP flower exhibits for a long time.
This year there are around 500 plant kinds on exhibit.
“I recall government nurseries in the Garden, Saddar, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, and Malir areas winning several awards during our event. This is a huge loss,” Khan said, adding that governmental support was crucial in promoting indigenous species and bringing about community development.
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Exotic Plants Are Quite Popular
Many non-profit organizations have set up stalls, including the Orchid Society of Pakistan, Cactus and Succulent Society of Pakistan, Pakistan Bonsai Society, Amateur Gardeners Club, Ladies Horticulture Society, Ikebana International-Karachi chapter, Ikenobo Study Group, World Flower Council-Pakistan chapter, Sojetsu Study Group, and Floral Art Society.
When asked which plants were the most popular during the event, officials from commercial nurseries that have long participated in the HSP flower show responded it’s the exotics.
“In general, people are searching for something new, and many of them have no qualms about spending Rs15,000 to Rs20,000 on a well-grown imported bougainvillea.” The local form of the same species, on the other hand, is one of the cheapest indigenous plants,” said Rehman, whose stand included a huge variety of local variants.
Dawn talked with several booth owners who claimed that although they had a strong turnout, they didn’t earn much money since the market space was rather expensive.
Saleem Akhtar Saleem, the proprietor of a nursery kiosk showing a variety of bonsai plants, orchids, and palm variations, stated, “I am here to market the nursery that I have created in the DHA.”
He stated that one of the unique plants on the stall was a desert rose grafted in such a manner that it produced blossoms in six distinct colors throughout the summer.
Varieties from Hong Kong, China, the United States, Thailand, and Mexico were available at an exotic plant nursery specializing in tropical plants. It also included a brand-new Tanzanian species and a one-of-a-kind South African species that looked like a stone.
“We acquired it from a region where the population was steady, and it’s named Adenium sp. Nova Tanzania.” The other (from South Africa) is known as the living stone (Lithops), a succulent species,” Majid, the nursery’s manager, said, adding that the Tanzanian plant had adapted to local circumstances and was simple to care for.
Farming in Space
William John Burchell found the first Lithops in 1811 on a botanical trip in southern Africa, which may be of interest to plant enthusiasts.
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) stand at the flower exhibit was fascinating. “We’re here to raise awareness of space farming, particularly among the young.” With the use of clinostat, a 3D equipment that nullifies gravity pull, we are evaluating several plants like spinach, mustard, and tomato to observe which species react best in the space atmosphere. “The equipment is only utilized during seed germination,” a Suparco spokesperson revealed.
Other research/academic institutes, he said, should participate in this study, which would allow them to submit their tested plant species to China’s future space expedition.
A stand maintained by a honeybee farmer drew few visitors, in contrast to other vendors that were crowded. “We’re in this industry not to make money, but to carry on the legacy established by our grandpa, who had a great passion for honeybees and began cultivating them in Thatta,” Tahir Khalil Dogar said.
According to him, honey made from the blossoms of Ajwain (Bishop’s weed) has many health advantages; white clover honey has a pleasant flavor.
“Here, we’re selling a one-kilogram container of honey for Rs1,300. “At our shop, the same costs Rs1,500,” he claimed, adding that pure honey froze at low temperatures.
Learn more about the National Flower Day, and Flower Day Pakistan from Pakistan event.