Nat’l horticulture expo kicks off

• Stalls from Pune, Bangalore, Mumbai and Darjeeling added attractions this year
• Medicinal plants a major draw; Expo will conclude on Jan 21
• Plants available for as low as Rs 20 and up to `1.7 lakh

Hyderabad: The sixth All India Horticulture and Agriculture show kicked off at the Necklace Road here on Thursday. Apart from the usual plants on display, this year there has been a rise in the number of medicinal plants on show.

Speaking to The Hans India, Khalid Ahmed, president at Association of Event Organizers (AOEO), said, "This year, it's not just about different species of plants, but it is also about different patterns of set ups, such as the vertical garden, terrace garden, kitchen garden and home garden.”

The exhibition has got many eye catchy flower plants, indoor plants, outdoor plants, medicinal plants, bonsai and seeds.

The exhibition has stalls from all over India including districts of Telangana like Pune, Bangalore, Mumbai, Darjeeling and also Medak district, Nagole and Sangareddy.

Dinesh of Tray Trees, who specializes in Bonsai, said, "I have my plants out for sale here from past five years.” Sri Nidhi Nursery, owner Raj said, "Exhibitions like these help us reach out to more people and we have a regular clientele.”

The horticultural show has die-hard fans. Meghna, a resident of Sainikpuri says, “We look forward to the show. The industrial exhibition and the horticultural expo are a must watch.

We also pick up a lot of tips on gardening.” Classic Garden, owner, Lalit said, " Last year I had got my profit above a lakh."

The exhibition had also got the stalls exclusively for medicinal plants like the Radha Kamal Nursery, Balkampet has the Kala Jamun fruit plant for diabetes. There are 'Stevia' leaves for diabetics and Akba store has 'Sky fruit' for diabetes.

Rai, owner of Ratna Rani Nursery from Darjeeling, said, "The Chamilion and Engliya are the most prefered ones adds, Rai.

Oncrop Agro Sciences, Banglore has variety of organic seeds and plants. Pradeep said," This platform is the best for publicity as ones I go back from here people call and place orders."

Fatema Khuzema, the owner of Earth and Art stall, said, “My store is all about my designed gardens, pots, green live fridge magnets and many more as in the nature with a creative touch."

Sreshta, owner of Taste the Tradition stall, said, “I wait for this exhibition every year as the house wives like me get the chance to exhibit our homemade products like snacks and pickles and be entrepreneurs."

It's not just about real plants but also artificial display of pots at the Khusnoor's Garden had mini artificial pots ranging from Rs. 80 to Rs 800.

The plants are available for as low as Rs 20 to Rs 1.7 lakh. "The oldest and expensive old bonsai is the center of attraction of the day worth Rs 1.7 lakh.

Laxmi Rao, a doctor, said, "I visit this exhibition every year and I am a big plant lover this make me but many beautiful plants and seeds for my kitchen garden.

The Italian pots and the painted ones turn out to be the most fascinating ones. The ranges start right from Rs 150 to Rs 30,000”