Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Flowers rule this show

Floral designs: A replica of a home garden at the Flower and Aquarium Show-2008 which began in the city on Friday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Curtains went up on the Flower and Aquarium Show-2008 on Friday evening, with Minister for Law M. Vijayakumar inaugurating the event.

Hundreds of species of ornamental plants including orchids, anthurium, petunia and rose are on display, on the slopes of the sprawling Observatory Hills. Individuals, institutions and commercial growers are participating in the 10-day show at the Institution of Engineers hall.

The highlight of this year’s show is the display of different models of home gardens. A separate section is devoted to orchids. Visitors can buy plants and seeds.

They can also seek the assistance of professional gardening and landscaping agencies. Competitions are being organised for foliage plants, annual flowering plants and bonsai. There will be special competitions for orchids, anthurium, roses and for individuals, institutions and nurseries.

The aquarium show, also being hosted on the same premises, has over 70 different species of ornamental fish including exotic breeds like the Arowana and catfish. Eleven private aquariums are participating in the show. Organisers claim that the show will seek to promote the aquarium sector as an entrepreneurial venture in Kerala. Matsyafed has already launched a programme to popularise the business in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram districts. An amount of Rs.48 lakh has been disbursed as grant-in-aid for the scheme.

Matsyafed has made arrangements for the public to register for the scheme. Beneficiaries will be provided with training and other assistance.

The road from the Vellayambalam junction to Museum was illuminated with coloured lights on Friday night to mark the inauguration of the event.

The 37th edition of the Flower and Aquarium Show is being organised jointly by the Kerala Agri-Horticultural Society, Kerala Rose Society, City Corporation and Matsyafed in association with Kerala Tourism.

The show will be open to the public from 9 am to 1 pm and 3 to 8 pm. The ticket rate is Rs.15 for the morning and Rs. 20 for the evening.

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