March 31, 2005

The 2005 flower exhibition held in Karachi recently was a kaleidoscope of colour and hues with flowers of myriad shapes and sizes. There were countless collections of petunia which were red, pink, blue-violet, purple, white and creamy yellow with different veining and central stars.

Calendulas are also called golden daisies because of their bright, golden petals with brown hearts. Salvia, otherwise known as rose queen, shone with its brilliant red flowers, which exuded a spicy fragrance. Different kinds of marigolds bloomed in their characteristic colours and beautiful patterns.

Carnations, which are related to dianthus (these were used in ancient Greece to denote decency) are adored and known as the aristocrats of the flowers.

Dozens of nurseries brought in blooming flowers of all types that grow in the tropics and the sub tropical areas. Roses and hibiscuses in various shades were in abundance, but the best were the flowering plants from the Far East and locally grown hybrids.

Dahlias were particularly heart-warming and all their cactus, pompon and dwarf groups were also present. One of the nurseries had one dahlia flower that measured nine inches across — a fantastic spread for a dahlia considering its ancestors bloomed no more than two to three inches across.

One of the stalls which was very popular with hobby gardeners showed the method of tissue culture, which is used to grow disease-free flowers and crops. On show were several species of plants still in their early stages of growth.

The Pakistan Defence Housing Authority was declared the champion of the show, in which several different organizations like Ladies Horticultural Club, Floral Art Society, Amateur Gardeners Club, Ikebana International Karachi Chapter, Ikenobo Study Group, Orchid Society of Pakistan, Bonsai Society, Cactus and Succulent Society participated.


 

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