Love flowers? Loosen up your purse strings

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 12

Come winter and flowers are in full bloom. However, it is also the time when they cost you dear. With the onset of the wedding season and nip in the air, the prices of flowers have increased.

Florists across the city try to make most of the time and earn quick bucks. Those who love to decorate their homes with flowers for their beauty and fragrance have to loosen their wallets a tad more for the same.

During summers, flowers are short lived due to extreme heat. It is only during winters that their beauty can be enjoyed at length.

Michael, a florist who runs his shops at BRS Nagar, says the price of flowers have increased and will increase more in the coming days. “A single rose, which costs around Rs 20 usually, is now available at Rs 30; carnation which was initially priced at Rs 20 is now being sold at Rs 30. Lily which can be bought for Rs 100 is now being sold at Rs 150,” he said.

“Flowers are transported all the way from Bangalore and Kolkata. We make maximum profits during the winter season. People who love to keep flowers at home prefer flowers during winters, as during summers they have small shelf life. Those who love flowers do not mind paying extra. I have regular customers who buy flowers to keep them in their rooms,” said Michael.

Another florist Ajay from Pakhowal Road quips: “The price tags of the bouquets remain the same because customers cannot digest the increased prices, but they have decreased the quantity of flowers in the bouquets.”

“If someone wants to get the bouquet on order, then we charge him/her according to the number of flowers that are used in the bouquet,” said he.

Akbar Rahim, who is into flower decoration trade, said the prices of flowers would further go up in the coming days. “If earlier, I took Rs 5,000 to decorate a venue, now I charge Rs 7,000 for the same, as flowers are priced high during winters. The demand of flowers increases during winters and so does the price. Wedding season during winters is another reason behind the increased prices,” he said.

“The price for the decoration depends upon the kind of flowers one wants to use. For pocket-friendly decorations, gladiolus are used, and for lavish decorations, lily and orchids are used,” he said.

Akriti, a city-based flower lover, who likes to arrange flowers in her home said the prices of flowers had increased, but that did not deter her from buying them.

“They add life to your home. I love to arrange fresh flowers in my drawing room, dining room, lobby and bedrooms. For their fragrance and beauty I do not mind paying extra bucks,” said she.