Hyderabad’s nurseries ablaze with flowering plants

Hyderabad: With the onset of winter, nurseries along the city’s highways are full of flowers. A treat to the eyes, these flowering plants are sought after by Hyderabadis who buy French marigold, dahlia, petunia, antirrhinum, calceolaria, verbena and many others from these nurseries.

Along the Kukatpally highway, the nurseries stretch for two kilometers. It’s the same at the Medchal-Kompally and LB Nagar Highway. The plants are brought from Bengaluru, Pune and Kadiam where they are grown in temperatures below 30ºC and a humidity of 70 to 80 per cent.

Ms L. Anuradha of Sneha Nursery said, “The plants are preserved in controlled temperatures before selling in the market. The cost per plant is between Rs 3 to Rs 5.”

In the market the plants are resold for between Rs 20 and Rs 50 a piece. Horticulture expert R. Rajender said, “Due to the harsh summers in Hyderabad most of the plants die unless grown in the shade and watered. However, the seeds can be collected, dried and stored for the next season.”

As these are hybrid plants, they also fall prey to pests. Horticulturist V. Ramesh said, “The seasonal flowers are not disease resistant. They are like babies. When they are exposed to the open environment they die as they cannot resist pests.”

Sudha Krishnamoorthy, an enthusiast, said, “There are now forums on social media where tips are being exchanged. But there must be some website from where literature can be sourced for taking care of these plants. Most of us have learnt by trial and error and in the bargain have ended up losing quite a lot of them.”

The soil base for these plants must have a small quantity of sand at the bottom so that all the water gets drained out.

Do not over water plants.

Watering has to be done from top so that pests get washed away.

Ask the nursery about sunlight requirements as some plants require sunlight only for a few hours and exposing them full time kills them.

1 Neem oil or horticulture oil has proved to be useful in checking pests.

2 A paste of garlic, tobacco and chilli powder can be made and mixed with water and sprayed. One ml in one liter of water is enough. It has to be sprayed twice a month to keep the pests at bay.

Antirrhinum: chimes, liberty classic, admiral tall, bells mix and arrow mix.

Petunia: super cascade red, pink, lilac and burgundy.

Petunia Veined: Blue pink salmon and silver.