KARACHI: Featuring numerous seasonal and perennial plant varieties, the 70th annual flower show by Horticultural Society of Pakistan (HSP) opened at the A.K. Khan Park (former Seaview Park) on Thursday.

The event being held in collaboration with Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Clifton Cantonment Board (CBC) has been kept low key this year and several stalls, including those annually dedicated to specialised floral arrangements, have not been put on display due to Covid-19 concerns.

“It was tough to make this decision as the society has been holding grand flower shows for decades. After consulting our partners, we decided not only to reduce the number of stalls but also go without school- and college-level competitions and the prize distribution ceremony this year,” said Salman A.K. Khan representing the HSP.

Wearing of face mask was compulsory at the event, including other SOPs of Covid-19, he added.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 fears also affected the visitors’ number on the opening day, which had drawn huge crowds last year.

“Though it’s a big disappointment to see this major shift, it’s still a blessing for Karachiites because we don’t have any place or park in the city offering extensive floral diversity,” said Tehmina Yaqub, a university student visiting the show, suggesting that the plant varieties put on group display by DHA and CBC should have been tagged with brief information about their local and scientific names.

“One purpose of such events should be to educate people about the plant wealth, both indigenous and imported.”

At stalls for commercial nurseries showcasing ornamental varieties, both exotic and indigenous, as well as vegetable and fruit plants grown in pots, visitors were seen looking for something unique.

While it’s a welcome sign, Fakhar Abbas, who has set up his own nursery stall at the event, believed that only those people with a keen interest in plants should buy them.

“Please don’t buy plants if you can’t spare time to look after them. They are like children. They need our time and love to grow healthy and happy.”

Starting off as a gardener 30 years back with a monthly income of Rs200, Abbas today owns a farm and exhibits its locally grown plants at three outlets in the city, besides working as a landscaper.

“I am still learning. It doesn’t matter if you have a small house, if you are interested in plants, you can make use of a lot of plastic waste around you and grow plants in them.”

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2021