Flower markets in the city are gearing up to do brisk business over the next week-and-a-half in the run-up to Onam.
The colourful flower shops at Chala look even more vibrant as they receive loads and loads of flowers, especially in anticipation of the demand for Pookkalam competitions.
“Flowers are already being picked up by institutions for Pookkalam competitions. Once schools and colleges start closing for the Onam holidays early next week, they too will move into competition mode. They comprise the bulk of our clientele. Technopark employees are also regular clients. The sale on these few days and on Uthradom day are what give a fillip to our business,” says Kannan who runs a shop in Chala.
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From Hosur
In the past, Thovala used to be the place from where varieties of flowers would flood the markets, but today most of them come from Hosur. Only a few such as jasmine, ‘pichi’, and lotus arrive from the Thovala region.
“Flowers from Hosur come in separate packages for different colours, and remain fresh for 2-3 days, especially in air-conditioned conditions. That is why it is preferred for Pookkalam competitions. If we keep second-quality flowers, our business will take a hit.”
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Arali is costly, especially because of the demand for Vinayaka Chaturthi. But their price has been up for nearly a month now, he says.
Jasmine and pichi are much in demand during wedding season, therefore expensive.
“They cost ₹80 for 100 g. A dip in their price is unlikely.”
Vinu, another flower merchant in the market, says prices have been high, especially because of the festive season.
It had been raining in Bengaluru and Thovala, so the produce that is coming is not of the best quality.
Besides the usual flowers, his shop also stocks gerbera, blue daisy, goldern leaf, and cypress.
“First quality flowers are expensive. Second quality ones that have experienced some rain are cheaper.”
Jasmine prices, he says, can go up up further. Last year, the prices touched nearly ₹3,000 a kg during Onam,” he says.
Muthukrishnan, who runs a flower shop at Karamana, says he gets most of his stock from Thovala, Madurai, and Dindigul areas, but stocks on flowers such as rose, gerbera, aster, and blue daisy in small quantities from Chala so that people have the option of picking them up to add some colour to their Pookkalam.
Adding colour
Rose, for instance, costs ₹250 a kg in Chala, but he sell them for ₹8 for a stem. Blue daisy costs ₹200 a kg, but he sells it in bunches.
“It is also risky stocking up on these in larger quantities as it may rain on the journey from Bengaluru, causing large-scale damage.”