Flora expo offers more than flowers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Everyone knows about the expression "small is
\nbeautiful", but how about "small is beautiful and expensive?"<\/p>\n
Small, beautiful and expensive potted bonsai plants are among
\nthose on display at the International Flora Show, at the Jakarta
\nConvention Center.<\/p>\n
In one stand, a lemon tree is sold for Rp 75,000, while
\nanother participant has put a Rp 250,000 price tag on a potted
\nlemon tree. There are also banyan trees, kamboja (Plumiera
\nacuminata) and money-tree (Pachira aquita), planted in pots; each
\ncost at least Rp 200,000. Mini potted plants, like cactus and
\nhyacinths, are available at lower prices.<\/p>\n
"It smells great, and it's imported from Holland," said an
\nattendant, pointing to a 20-cm hyacinth.<\/p>\n
Potted plants are only a small part of the show, opened by
\nVice President Try Sutrisno Friday and on until Tuesday. There
\nare many more things to do and see than just buying plants and
\nflowers.<\/p>\n
Workshops on flower arrangement, a flower arrangement contest,
\na floriculture expo and bourse, international seminars on the
\nfloriculture industry and fashion shows are among the activities
\nplanned. Tomorrow, a Dutch expert on flower arrangement, Peeter
\nBoey Pens, will demonstrate his skills and on closing day a
\nfloral bazaar and auction will be held.<\/p>\n
The five-day event is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and tickets
\ncost Rp 2,500. Around 15,000 visitors are expected.<\/p>\n
Over 60 companies are participating in the show, including
\nseveral from the Netherlands and Japan.<\/p>\n
The flower industry is constantly growing and expanding in
\ndeveloped countries. In Europe, America and East Asia, the
\nfloriculture business is a highly competitive industry. In the
\nlast two decades, some developing countries, like South America
\nand South Africa have established a floriculture industry to meet
\nboth the domestic and international market.<\/p>\n
The horticultural subsector in Indonesia grows at a rate of
\njust 2.5 percent a year, according to the show organizers, the
\nIndonesian Flower Association. This is relatively small compared
\nto the average 6.8 percent growth of the Indonesian economy in
\nthe past two decades.<\/p>\n
Since 1985, the floricultural component of the horticultural
\nsubsector has shown rapid growth with a rate of between 15 and 20
\npercent per year.<\/p>\n
Darmanto Kusumaningrat, chairman of the Central Board of the
\nCooperatives of Indonesian Flowers, said farmers could not fully
\ndevelop their business as they lacked of capital, the marketing
\nstrategy was weak and they had not mastered adequate breeding and
\nseedling techniques.<\/p>\n
"As a result, it's hard to produce flowers of high quality and
\nwide variety and which can last," he said.<\/p>\n
Darmanto said most farmers were stuck with "old products" like
\nsedap malam (tuberose), marguerite, aster and gladiola, instead
\nof the new products in high demand, such as chrysanthemum,
\ncarnation, antorium, gipsophila, caspea and lily.<\/p>\n
The Cooperatives' branches are located in Cihideung, Sukabumi,
\nCipanas, Semarang and Ambarawa, with about 2,000 members. (sim)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/flora-expo-offers-more-than-flowers-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}