Post News Network
Cuttack, Jan 18: Business is blooming in the nurseries in Cuttack, with the demand for different varieties of marigold, dahlia, rose, zinnia and chrysanthemum saplings growing exponentially in the city as residents rush to pick the season’s best for their gardens.
“These flowers add colour to your garden. Moreover, they grow in huge numbers, adding dollops of brightness to otherwise dreary winter days. Winter is the best time for us to earn. The other times of the year are usually dull,” said Kamalakanta Behera, the owner of a nursery.
Most of the flowers are cultivated locally.
However, flowers like liliums and Jalbera, which are popular, are imported from Kolkata.
Hybrid flowers bloom during December and continue blooming till the end of February.
“There is a huge demand for marigold plants, which are available in two-three colors. Daisies are also quite popular with customers,” said Behera.
Many nursery owners feel that though there is a huge demand for various flower saplings during winter, people generally choose the common varieties of marigold and roses plants.
“I like rose the most because it is available in different colours. When they bloom, my terrace garden becomes colourful,” said Garima Sharma, a homemaker.
The saplings are sold in earthen pots. Their price varies from Rs 5 to Rs 30, while the cost of the potted ones varies from Rs 80 to Rs 350.
“During winter, the sale normally goes up and the demand for seasonal flowering plants also increases. We earn Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 a day by selling them. Apart from these, petunia, rose and marigold are also in demand,” said Amrit Sahoo, another nursery owner.
