'Vaalu jada' steals the show

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, AUG. 15. An ornamental plant, christened ``Vaalu Jada'' as it resembles the long plait of a woman, was the highlight of the fourth nursery mela which began at Public Gardens here on Wednesday.

The rare plant was imported by Rudraraju Sundara Rama Raju, a farmer of West Godavari district, from the Philippines about four years ago. He multiplied the plant in his private gardens at Itikalakunta near Tadepalligudem and brought it for display at the mela.

Sundara Rama Raju stumbled on this exotic plant species while attending Asia Pacific Coconut Growers Meet at Manila some four years. ``The botanists here are searching for a botanical name. Meanwhile, I multiplied the plant on many farms,'' said Raju displaying the plant to media persons.

The plant is on sale for Rs. 500 and Raju brought about 400 plants. ``We would like to propagate the new ornamental plant which is not found anywhere in India,'' certified Mr. A.R. Sukumar, Director of Horticulture.

Landscapers and horticulturists from six States -- Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharastra, Goa and West Bengal -- are participating in the four-day mela which was inaugurated by the Chief Secretary, Mr.P.V. Rao.

The Ikebana show is fascinating, depicting a wide range of Indian festivals ranging from Sankranti in the South to Teej in Gujarat. The florists took pains in arranging the flowers in eye-catching designs symbolic of these festivals.

There are as many as 75 stalls in the exhibition which has begun to attract huge crowds. ``The sales turnover is expected to be of the order of Rs 4 crores,'' Mr.Sukumar said.

A seminar on ``Clean and Green&Nursery Management in 21st century'' is being organised by the Horticulture department as part of the mela on August 19.

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Section  : Southern States
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