Chrysanthemum growers are a worried lot as their crop has been affected by variations in climate and, in some cases, pests at Hemmady in Udupi district.
Chrysanthemum, or sevantige , is grown roughly on about 60 acres in Hemmady and Katbelthur villages. About 80 farmers are cultivating the flower.
The farmers usually grow three crops. They cultivate the first crop in August, the second in September, and the third in October. It takes about six months for chrysanthemum plants to grow and yield flowers. The flowers of the first crop usually bloom by January 10.
The farmers sell these flowers at the flower market in Maranakatte village, about 14 km from Hemmady, from mid-January to mid-March. It is a tradition among farmers to offer a portion of their crop to the Sri Brahmalingeshwara temple at Maranakatte during the temple fair, known as Maranakatte Jathre, on January 14.
Anand Hemmady, who cultivates chrysanthemum on 10 cents at Hemmady Kattu, said the chill was lower this month (December). “It is required for the buds to flower. Besides, it has been cloudy for some days. In many places, flowering is yet to take place,” he said.
Mahabala Devadiga, president of the Sevantige Belagarara Sangha, said the forum has 52 members cultivating chrysanthemum. There are around 20 more growers who are not members of the Sangha.
Mr. Devadiga, who cultivates chrysanthemum on an acre of land, said, “Besides the lack of chill and the prevalence of cloudy weather, the crop has been affected by an attack from white flies and thrips in some gardens.”
In some gardens, there has been pre-blossoming of flowers.
Sanjeev Naik, senior assistant director of horticulture, Kundapur, said scientists from the Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Station (ZAHRS), Brahmavar, would visit the affected fields on January 1 and give their opinion. “We will have to check if the outbreak of white flies is also due to environmental variations,” he said.
