An organiser displays bamboo plants at the flower show. Picture by Uma Shankar Dubey

Jamshedpur, Dec. 19: Imported bamboo plants stole the show at a three-day flower exhibition, which started in the city today.

People flocked to the venue — near Dorabji Tata Park — before the flower show was formally inaugurated this afternoon.

The bamboo plants of various shapes and sizes have been brought from Thailand by a Patna-based agency. The plants have been given different shapes so that they look attractive. For the first time bamboo plants are part of the flower show.

“Bamboo plants have been imported from Thailand. We are sure that they would be appreciated by plant lovers of the city,” said Ved Kumar, who runs a flower agency in Patna.

He added that they have given different shapes to bamboo plants. “Different layers of bamboo sticks are formed before they are given a final shape. We provide shape to the bamboo sticks so that they look attractive,” said Prakash, adding that bamboo plants have “zero maintenance”.

Prakash said they have come here to display and sell bamboo plants. “We don’t think bamboo plants with different shapes are available in this city. Several people have inquired about the plant,” he added.

Dancing bamboo, spiral, curly, free-style, two-head spirals, Y sticks and straight (live growing sticks) have been lined up for the show and sale.

“These are half-inch thick green 15 to 70 cm long and live growing sticks that are either curled, spiral, circular and zig-zag at the top. They look striking by in vases,” Prakash said.

The bamboo plants are tough and do not need sunlight. They grow in plain water and shade only. Water should be changed every 3-4 days. They can be placed anywhere in the room, Prakash said.

“Water should be changed every 3-4 days. They can be placed anywhere in the room. There is no need to transplant or put them in the soil,” he said.

Prakash added that they have been participating in the flower show for the past eight years.