Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Mar 29: As Kashmir welcomes spring, the region is abuzz with activity as people flock to nurseries and shops to adorn their gardens with an array of flower and vegetable saplings after the winter lull.
With the planting season in full swing, nurseries and shops have become bustling hubs of activity, as enthusiasts flock to buy an array of flower, vegetable, and seasonal plants.
The surge in interest has transformed nurseries and shops into bustling hubs, with vendors experiencing a notable uptick in sales of various plant varieties and saplings
Anwar Dar, a shopkeeper, noted the high demand for vegetable saplings and various flower species, including imported lilies and hyacinths from Holland. “A lot of customers come to buy flower saplings, indoor plants. The vegetable saplings are particularly in high demand. People here even come to buy the seeds, as I have different varieties of seeds here,” he said.
He said that amidst increasing urbanization, the demand for plants and flower saplings continues to rise, with even corporate houses seeking plant material for their premises. “The demand is increasing with each passing day as people realize the importance of planting flowers in their gardens. For flower beds, people prefer rose standing and multicolored rose plants. We have imported lilies and hyacinths from Holland. We have petunias and other pot plants,” he added.
Dar informed that ornamental shrubs like pansies, flocks, enterum, Texas, rosemary, lavenders, and honey suckles are among the sought-after flower saplings, each adding its own unique charm to the vibrant tapestry of spring blooms.
“The ornamental plums, peach, magnolia grandiflora, and indoor pot plants, along with summer hybrids such as marigold, petunia, zinnia, and portulaca, are also in demand, “he said. Additionally, he said, the demand for vegetable saplings remains strong as residents eagerly anticipate cultivating fresh produce.
Shaiq Amad, an official, said that there are around 174 nurseries across the Valley registered with the department of Floriculture that grow saplings with the assistance of the department. “The department provides them with subsidized polyhouses, shade net houses, vermicompost, and water harvest units with an average subsidy of 50 percent of the total amount,” he said, adding that every year there is an increase of around 30-40 new nurseries.
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