This is the fourth consecutive year George Joseph from Malaparaba is taking part in the Calicut Flower Show organised by the Calicut Agro-Horticultural Society. He is a winner of the various gardening competitions of the society and has an enviable collection of rare flowering plants and foliage.
“This is the only show where one can find these many varieties of plants in Kozhikode,” the octogenarian said making the final arrangements in his pavilion that welcomes the visitors to the show. Mr. George’s collection of 40 varieties of Aglaonema Rotundum is one of the star attractions of the show. “I have over 60 varieties of this plant. It is very rare and not available anywhere else in the State. A new variety costs $500 in Thailand market,” he explained the speciality of the plant that has large colourful leaves.
Its not all orchids, Jerberas, Adeniums and Lillies at the show here, but a wide range of flowering plants, most of which are new to the region. The plants are neatly arranged in rows and circles for the viewers to go around them and pick their preferred one for a reasonable price. There are also a number of stalls selling seeds and seedlings of the much sought after varieties.
There are also stalls selling farming equipment. The Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, District Farm at Peruvannamuzhi, the Centre for Water Resources and Development Management and the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices too have set up stalls here featuring their various projects.
The venue of the flower show also hosts a variety of seminars on farming and various contests for the viewers such as flower arrangement, henna designing and Flower Prince and Princess contests. It will conclude on January 17.
