Floral bloom triggers market boom

LUCKNOW: As love blossoms, so does the rose growers' business. During the Valentine's week no price is too high for the love-struck. Flowers, especially the rose, have always been the most popular expression of love and with each passing year V-Day celebrations are more lavish. While some love birds prefer to exchange just a single red rose, many go for expensive bouquets and baskets with exotic flowers.
Starting from February 7 (celebrated as Rose Day) the city is flooded with exotic varieties of flowers, including lilies, red roses (from Pune and Bangalore), gladioli, rajnigandha and many more. The more expensive ones include, orchids, carnations, birds of paradise, Oriental lilies, Dutch and English roses and anthuriums. Orchids are imported from Singapore, Bangkok and Malaysia, carnations from Switzerland, while anthuriums (red coloured heart-shaped flowers) are ferried from Mauritius.
According to wholesalers and florists, prices of all flowers, especially the different variety of red roses has shot up. A single rose costs not less than Rs 40, while imported roses cost Rs 60 to 65. While one stalk of Asiatic lily is priced at Rs 80, Oriental lily Rs 120 Orchids Rs 50 and birds of paradise Rs 80 per stalk.
Price of readymade bouquets available at flower shops ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 3,000, while online orders begin from Rs 2,200 and go up to Rs 15,000.
"From heart-shaped baskets to designer bouquets comprising sweet mix roses, charming roses, life-size arrangement, Valentine flower combo, etc all are available at the click of a button," informed Shamil Shamsi, owner of a city based florist shop.
On the eve of V-Day people had already booked flowers worth Rs 25,000 & 30,000 (from Lucknow to Chandigarh).