On a rain-soaked evening at Nagarjuna Circle, near Banjara Hills, we watch the beginning of a new bloom. A row of flower bouquet shops on the main road present a lovely sight. These shops are always in high demand and have customers all through the year. “Who doesn’t like flowers, madam?” asks a salesman at one of the shops as rain water drips through. The bouquets with different colours of roses and other flower varieties are neatly stacked here. At a nearby stall, flowers sourced from Bengaluru and abroad are selling like hot cakes. Madhu, a salesman informs flowers from Bengaluru are of a higher variety. The roses are available in yellow, red, peach and white colours and the imported ones include chrysanthemum, lilies and gypsophila.
Floral diversity
We walk inside a small room that is swamped in floral diversity. A group of workers are busy preparing a bouquet. One of them takes a bunch of roses in different colours and places it on a small sponge-based container which holds the flowers. He arranges them neatly along with twigs and carefully wraps the flowers in a transparent sheet. “The sponge soaks water and the flowers remain fresh for four days,” he shares. Another worker has been creating bouquets for 12 years now. “I learnt the art of bouquet-making in Kolkata and worked there for four years before moving to Hyderabad. I have been in the city for 8 years now,” he states.
Gopal, who has been in the flower business for six years states summer is a tough time for them. “Flowers are in demand during summer because of the wedding season and we have to constantly sprinkle water to keep them fresh. There is wastage ,” he states.
For different occasions
From students to politicians, the customers are many. A worker states sometimes people buy a bouquet as a last-minute gift. “We get politicians, employees buying bouquets for their bosses, people buying for wedding receptions, new year parties and youngsters, who buy single rose for their friends during special occasions,” shares a salesman.
Praveen, a florist started his business 15 years ago and highlights the market competition. “Flowers need maintenence and the rates are high especially during summer. A single rose is sometimes sold for ₹10 and customers often bargain for the price. We don’t want to lose our customers so we end up having less profit,” he points out adding, they miss out on their personal lives. “This floral business takes up much time and we spend less time with our families. It is a risky business.”
A regular flower bouquet is priced ₹250 and goes upwards.
