KARACHI: The first dahlia exhibition, organized by a newly-formed society, was inaugurated in the city on Thursday at the Jinnah Gardens. On display were five sets each of 35 pots, showing multicoloured petal formations and blooms.

The displayed flowers were raised by five nurseries — Manzoor, Baba, Green, Shaheen and Green College. The judges were requested to choose the best grower and decide on the basis of the health and size of the bloom and also the introduction of new varieties.

A bronze dahlia, exhibited for the first time, was unusual and a breakthrough, according to N.R. Siddiqui, one of the judges and an exponent of the “dahlia culture” in Pakistan.

“Dahlias had hollow stems in the beginning but due to research and development they are solid, a plus point in the survival and health of this showy floral species that is considered a marvel among the composite family of flowers,” he said.

The blue colour was yet to be developed. But the rest of the hues and colours with different combinations were there, Mr Siddiqui disclosed.

A website for dahlia fans would be created soon, president of the Pakistan Dahlia Society, Mr Rizvi, said. He requested Vice Admiral Ahmad Hayat to be the patron-in-chief of the society which proposal was accepted.

Haji Liaquat Ali popularly known as Haji Dahlia was awarded a shield for his lifelong devotion towards promotion of dahlia in the country.

Dahlia is one of the prettiest flowers from the big family composite to which the famous chrysanthemum, the queen of flowers for centuries, and sunflower belong. Dahlia derived its name from Dr Andreas Dahl, a Swedish botanist, who described it first.

The flower grew wild in the hilly areas of Mexico from where it came to Madrid in 1789. Only three kinds were known then: the double purple, single rose and single red. Now there is a tremendous array in colour, size and bloom.—Dr A.A. Quraishy