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Blooming trade
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It's about time the State thought about the cultivation of orchids
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Varaprasada Reddy displaying his proud possession. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam
THE QUEEN of flowers - orchid - is said to have survived on the earth for 120 million years. The survival of orchids, while most other plant and animal species became extinct over the ages, is an indication of its adaptability.
Today, over 30,000 different species of orchids are believed to be in existence around the globe. The beautiful flowers in vibrant colours offer a visual treat. Little wonder they are increasingly being used in bouquets and in floral decorations in weddings of the rich and the glitterati.
An orchid spray (a bunch of four or five flowers) fetches $16, making it the costliest flower in the international market. There are 1.5 lakh types of hybrids, which are suitable for any type of climate. "The Netherlands is the world centre for orchid trade and it receives the flowers from different parts of the globe for redistribution," says environmentalist and orchid lover N.A. Varaprasada Reddy, who is growing the plants in his garden. "There are 47 different species of orchids growing in the wild on the Eastern Ghats. . Commercial production has not been taken up so far anywhere in A.P, unlike in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Women's cooperatives are also involved in orchid cultivation in Kerala," he points out.
There are, however, a few residents like Ila Rao, retired professor of the Department of English, Andhra University, and A. Vidyasagar, vice-chairman and managing director of the Girijan Cooperative Corporation, Visakhapatnam who are growing the flowers in their backyard. Unlike other flowers, orchids stay fresh for periods ranging from 30 days to six months depending on the variety.
Isn't it high time that the local farmers went in for commercial production of orchids and reaped rich dividends?
B. MADHU GOPAL
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