By the Editor
There are many types of friends in life with whom we may share our feelings and emotions and even secrets depending on mutual trust and confidence. They too may respond positively and encourage us to march ahead with courage and determination. Very rarely will one find that those who are lonely and withdrawn from the world are normal and healthy. However, there are certain friends who do not speak at all to us but their presence brighten the surroundings, their fragrance permeates the air and a mere look at them refreshes our minds and thoughts that linger on for long and these are the flowers. J G Brown said, “flowers are our greatest silent friends”. In olden days, flowers were grown and nourished by flower lovers as a hobby only for their beauty and the sweet odour emitted by them. Selling and buying of flowers was more or less non-existent. Flower growers gift their friends and neighbours in times of need like making of wreaths for the dead, garlands for wedding and public functions or decorations in churches and places of worship. Nowadays, this is no longer the case and people have to buy them which gradually became a flourishing business worth billions of dollars worldwide. According to recent estimates, India produces flowers worth Rs 30,000 crore annually out of which Rs 100 crore is earned by export outside the country.
Flowers which are in high demand are roses, carnation, orchids, and gladioli. North East (NE) India including Meghalaya grows roses, anthorium, carnation, gierberra, and lilium which find good market not only within the country but also abroad like London and Dubai. A good number of youths are employed in this profession and flower business is expanding. Trade and commerce may be in flower seeds which are quite costly, flower heads, cut flowers, flower pots, foliage potted plants and perfume flowers. Many flowers have medicinal properties, chief among which are marigold and chrysanthemum are used for curing scabies and wounds; sun flower for dysentery and asthma; poinsettia for skin diseases; glory lily for de-worming and skin diseases; aloe vera for burns, wounds and parasites which attack the skin. There are certain varieties like jacaranda, cherry blossom, gold mohur, aurocaria, etc which can grow into big trees for environmental purposes besides beautifying the compound and its neighbourhood. Flower farmers can avail of schemes offered by central and state governments from time-to-time as well as banking institutions.
It is quite interesting to know that there is a relationship between insects and flowers because different insects visit different flowers depending on colour and odour. For example, honeybees can distinguish between blue and yellow colour but cannot see red colour since it appears deep shade of gray to them and so will not go to red flowers. Sometimes it will be noticed that bees may approach red poppies because these flowers emit ultra-violet rays which attract them. On the other hand, butterflies favour red colour and flowers. Night moths are gifted with extraordinary sense of smell in finding sweet-smelling flowers.