Prices in full bloom

Flower power

The flower markets across the city are abuzz with activity. Colourful flowers in exotic varieties have come in especially for ‘Varamahalakshmi’ which is around the corner.

But the prices of flowers are skyrocketing. The prices also differ from one market to another depending on the location and availability of flowers.

Most flower sellers say that the prices have increased by Rs 100 from last year. The flower sellers in Malleswaram, K R Market and Russell Market bring in the flowers from Tamil Nadu, Devanahalli, Anekal, Hoskote and other villages.

Guruappa N, a flower merchant in Russell Market, says, “The prices of flowers go up during festivals
because it has become

difficult to source them from the villagers. We also need to preserve these flowers in such a way that it doesn’t get damaged.”

He points out that the flowers that sell the most during this time are lotus, jasmine, carnation, gladiola and yellow daisy.

“These flowers are used for both decorative and for puja purposes. A bunch of 20 carnations will cost anywhere between Rs 100 and Rs 300. The prices vary every other day depending on the quality and the quantity,” says Guruappa.

The Malleswaram market gets fresh stocks of flowers two days prior to the festival. The sellers there say that they are forced to sell the flowers for Rs 200 more than last year because they have to pay a heavy price to get them into the city.

Raja Rao, a flower seller in Malleswaram market, says, “The prices are always on the higher side because it is always a challenge to stock the flowers and it is difficult for us to sell the unsold stock. It is a loss for us and this is the only time that we can make some profit.”

They sell flowers like jasmine, lotus and roses.

K R Market is undoubtedly the largest space where flowers are bought and sold. The prices here differ from one stall to another. C Lokesh Babu, owner of Sri Siddaruda Flowers Stall, says, “Jasmine is sold at Rs 500 to Rs 600 per kg and crossandra (also known as ‘Kanakambara’ in Kannada) goes for anything between Rs 800 and Rs 1,000 per kg. After the flowers are locally sold, it is sent to other cities across the state.”

M S Mani, another flower seller at K R Market, says that while the prices of jasmine remain high at
Rs 800 per kg, the prices of a few other flowers such as hybrid lily and ‘Nerium Oleander’ or ‘arali’ flower differs according to the quantity.

“The hybrid lily usually costs Rs 200 per kg, ‘arali’ goes for Rs 240 and crossandra remains high at Rs 600,” says Mani. The prices may be on the higher side but flower sellers across markets are happy that sales have not dipped from the previous years.