Autumnal flowers: Beaming colours in the gloomy season

Floriculture shows attract visitors from all walks of life.

ISLAMABAD:

Just as the twin cities creep past the dry and gloomy autumn, a prelude to winter, flower shows are being arranged to celebrate the season before the weather changes.

Although the season is not associated with a lot of bloom, colourful flowers at Rose and Jasmine Garden and Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS AAUR) pleasantly surprised the visitors.

Chrysanthemum flowers including poinsettias, deco impatiens, coleus, begonia and ponpon are being showcased in a three-day floriculture show organised by the Islamabad Horticulture Society (IHS) in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) at the Rose and Jasmine Garden.

The show brought in flower lovers from all walks of life, some of whom attended a similar show at PMAS AAUR, which aims to offer advanced techniques in the production and promotion of floriculture. Organised by PMAS-AAUR’s horticulture department in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission Islamabad (HEC), it is expected to provide a platform for growers, researchers and buyers to share their floriculture experience. The PMAS-AAUR flower show was inaugurated by Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation Dr Manzoor Hussain Soomro who spoke about the positive impact flourishing lawns and gardens have on the environment. “It is commendable that PMAS-AAUR has organised such an event for enhancing awareness on the significance of plants and flowers,” he said.

Arrangements were judged based on breeding and genesis - certificates and trophies will be handed out to winners with the highest marks in each category.

Flowers were not the only attraction at the show: stalls with organically grown tomatoes encouraged people to purchase the vegetable. Later, a large number of visitors flocked to the large boat ride which swung to and fro much to the delight of its riders.

The IHS flower show will conclude today (Sunday) and is open to the public.

And some discussion

A one-day seminar on the recent trends in landscape design and floriculture was helped at PMAS-AAUR. Advisor to Human Resource HEC Dr Riaz Hussain Qureshi served as its chief guest. In his address, he appreciated the efforts of PMAS-AAUR and said the university is involved in relevant academic and research activities, giving the flower show and seminar as prime examples.

The seminar’s objective was to develop and understand trends and advances in the global floriculture industry and to develop future research and collaborative ventures with other organisations.

The seminar was organised by the university’s horticulture department in collaboration with HEC and will continue till November 28.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2011.