A child admires flowers at the show. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, Dec. 22: The journey began from small clubrooms and travelled through college auditoriums to the ground opposite Sacred Heart Convent School. The next address for the flower show could be the Gopal Maidan.

This comes after the organisers recorded 779 entries including the participation of 58 amateur florists and an all-time-high of 18 institutions at the annual flower show.

Organised by the Horticulture Society of Jamshedpur and Jusco, the 18th annual flower show was judged by 11 judges and would end on December 24.

Moving ahead from the regular varieties of chrysanthemums, roses and dahlias, medicinal plants and cacti found special mention here. Along with the kamal ketta and muthali, the ghrit kumari and aswagandha also adorned the medicinal plant section. The commoner varieties of perennial garlic, satwa and hatjor and the likes of anar and vinka were also found.

“The variety of chrysanthemums are a rare sight here. As many as 15 in the spider category is a rarity,” mentioned P.K. Dwivedi, chief horticulturist of Diesel Locomotives Work, Varanasi, who was one of the judges for the show.

As always, the magnanimous display of 200 varieties of chrysanthemums was the show stealer.

Adorned in bright hues of red, pink, maroon, white and yellow, the roses on display were a visual delight, in addition to the Petunias in brighter shades and the colourful pansies.

A rare species of veuciaceyana and jesus plants by V. Ranga Rao, displayed at a special corner near the podium, also lent variety to the show.

A host of bonsais including brinjals, juicy oranges, chillies, tomatoes and lemons were also on display.

Technical sessions on quality flower care would be held in the next two days.