Orchids galore

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Orchids, orchids everywhere. The orchid stalls have turned out to be a big draw at the ongoing ‘Jaivasree Festival-2011’ at the Kanakakkunnu Palace and surrounding grounds. Varieties of orchids, including ‘Dendrobium’, ‘Phalaenopsis’ and ‘Vanda’, have enticed the customers of the fest.   A group of college girls could be seen searching for their favourite variety of orchid. Pooja Jayan, a post-graduate student of Kerala University, commented that orchid was the queen of all flowers. It can be used as potted plants and cut-flowers. ‘’Its durability may be the main reason for the attraction,’’ she says, launching into a bargain with the vendor. “Orchids are in high demand at the fest. Prices range from Rs 125 to Rs 700. Customers are in search of rare varieties and the price is not an issue with them. Dendrobium appears to be the popular one here. It has around 30 varieties,’’ says Raji Prasannan, owner of the Royal Orchids. “I brought all these orchids from my own garden for the fest. Dearth of certain species of orchids even compelled me to import them from Thailand.” She, however, pointed out that the heat inside the stalls would cause the blooms to dry up.   Ajay R, project officer of State Horticulture Mission, hastily walks into  Raji Prasannan’s stall and makes sure his favourite orchid ‘Phalaenopsis’ is there before returning to his duties as organiser of the fest.  “To commence our day with flowers is a pleasurable experience. I have a craze for flowers, especially orchids,” says Ajay.   Bilma Jayan of Kochullur picks up tips for caring of orchids from Saju Sukumaran, a field assistant at Tropical Botanic Garden and  Research Institute, Palode, and says that she came only for buying orchids.  “Orchid  flowers are good for decorating our homes during special occasions. If  you have orchid collections at home, there is no need to go in search of flower vendors,”  says Bilma.    Sreeja Mohan, from Vaikom, says that such fairs provide the opportunity to buy orchids at nominal rates. “I have obtained a huge collection of  my favourite orchid ‘Basket Vanda’”, a happy Sreeja says. The Jaivasree Fest, jointly organised by the Janasree Mission, Department of Agriculture and  State Horticulture Mission, is drawing the crowds in large numbers. The festival will be on till September 27.