Let thousands of ’em bloom

Minna Zutshi in Ludhiana

Flowers are priceless, for the value attached with their smile. Their worth is calculable in international market: the chrysanthemum ranks next to rose. For a mere three days (starting from Dec 7), the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, let the chrysanthemum rule the campus. As a part of the 22nd such show, more than 100 varieties of the flower were on display. The Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, and the PAU’s Estate Organization joined hands to commemorate Bhai Vir Singh, a renowned Punjabi poet and an ardent lover of chrysanthemums.

The three days bloomed in the midst of the earthy, herby flowers drenched gently with poetry. They also sounded out the business prospects: floriculture is nascent in Punjab, yet it can emerge as the “best crop” in the next 10-15 years. A rich harvest can yield a profit of at least Rs 80,000 up to Rs 3 lakh per acre per year if good production techniques and marketing strategies are adopted, said Dr HS Grewal, head of the PAU’s department of floriculture & landscaping. 

Punjab has around 5,500 acres devoted to the commercial cultivation of flowers, according to experts from PAU. Chrysanthemum cultivation, however, covers less than an acre. Unlike marigolds, chrysanthemums require constant attention and care. However, the per unit area profitability is more in case of chrysanthemums. “In market, loose chrysanthemum flowers are 1.5 times more profitable than loose marigold petals,” says Dr Parminder Singh, PAU’s associate professor, department of floriculture & landscaping. The university is a leading centre of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for the development of new varieties and production technologies for chrysanthemum. It has released 18 varieties of the chrysanthemum. 

Famous as “Autumn Queen”, the chrysanthemum is generally propagated through terminal cuttings or suckers. Experts recommend chrysanthemum plants raised through cuttings as they are healthy and sturdy. “Terminal cuttings measuring 5-7 cm are taken from mother plants. The best time for cuttings is from mid-June to mid-July. The basal two-three leaves are clipped off and the cuttings are planted in propagation trays that are placed under partial shade to provide protection from high temperatures. The cuttings develop roots in about three weeks and are ready for transplanting in fields, pots and flowerbeds,” says Dr Madhu Bala, assistant floriculturist.

A favourite with hobbyists

The chrysanthemum (guldaudi) is a perennial flower crop that blooms in November and December. Hobbyists prefer it because of the varied shape, size and colour. These flowers are almost every colour except black. Chrysanthemums are of two types - standard and spray. Based on the shape of flowers and arrangement of petals, the chrysanthemum may be classified into pompon, decorative, spider, spoon, thistle, incurved, reflex and many others. Enthusiasts grow a variety of chrysanthemums for various purposes like pot culture, loose flowers, garden decoration/bedding, cut flower production, landscaping and interior decoration. 

Charandeep Singh, a teacher at a government school in Bhundri village in Ludhiana, started growing chrysanthemums 14 years ago. It was a slow start, with mixed results. From 2010 onwards, after a sustained study of cultivation, he was on a firm footing. Today, he has a large collection of rich varieties, with flower size ranging from 2-inch to 20-inch. 

Sensitive plants

Chrysanthemums are sensitive plants. One has to closely monitor the water requirement. “In my last 37 years of growing chrysanthemums, I have observed that these plants do not require large quantities of water. If plant leaves droop and it continues till the evening, it is an indication that the plant needs water,” says Ludhiana-based Mohinder Pal, who has grown around 20 varieties of standard and spray chrysanthemums. When the spray varieties attain a height of about 15 cm, the terminal shoots are removed to encourage development of side-shoots (this is referred to as pinching). 

In case of the standard varieties, the flower buds that develop on side shoots are removed to allow a single large bloom to develop (this is called disbudding). Hobbyists grow both the spray and the standard varieties. Chrysanthemum flowers demand time and attention, but every minute of the time spent is rewarded the moment the flowers bloom.