Pune: The Empress Garden Flower Show was inaugurated on Friday afternoon, drawing large crowds to one of the city’s most beloved green spaces despite traffic restrictions across several parts of the city. The turnout exceeded expectations, with some commercial stalls reporting sell-out stock within hours of opening. “This is only the first day, and already some vendors are sold out. We were unsure about the turnout due to the traffic issues, but the response has been overwhelming. We are expecting even larger crowds over the weekend,” said Prashant Chavhan of the Empress Garden management team. One of the most talked-about highlights this year is the Ikebana display, which reimagines everyday kitchen objects as floral canvases. Visitors were seen pausing to admire tiny white flowers spilling out of a traditional stone chakki (grinder), marigolds arranged on a sil batta (grinding stone), and spice boxes and steel containers repurposed as elegant vases. This year’s show is dedicated to renowned ecologist Madhav Gadgil — a gesture organizers say reflects a growing commitment to ecological awareness and conservation within the city. The competitive sections remain a major draw. The rose competition brought together growers from across Maharashtra, showcasing vibrant varieties in deep crimson, copper, pale white, and soft pink, alongside unique striped and bi-coloured blooms. A separate category focused exclusively on fragrance, encouraging visitors to experience the flowers with more than just a camera lens. Meanwhile, the fruit and vegetable competition highlighted agricultural excellence, with produce judged on freshness, form, and condition. For many families, the garden served as an outdoor classroom. Parents were seen explaining plant structures and scientific names to their children. “She reads about exotic fruits and plants in books; here, she can finally see what they look like, touch the leaves, and understand how they grow in real life,” said Sumitra Kulkarni, who visited with her pre-teen daughter. While many captured elaborate floral backdrops for social media or shared the displays via video calls, the show offered a rare moment for some to disconnect. Amid a lifestyle dominated by screens, a few visitors took the time to simply “stop and smell the roses”. On the commercial side, sales have been brisk. Mani Kumar Chhetri, who travelled from Kalimpong with nearly 175 plant varieties, noted a high demand for orchids and cacti. “Many varieties sold out on the first day. People are especially interested in cacti, as well as red spider lilies and day-blooming Brahma Kamal,” Chhetri said. He also highlighted the Stephania rotunda bulbs, noting their popularity for both their aesthetic and perceived medicinal benefits. The constraints of modern urban living have also shaped consumer choices. “Air plants are in high demand because they don’t need pots. You simply hang them where there is air flow and spray them with water every few days—ideal for small apartments,” said vendor Nikhil Ghite. He also showcased low-tech self-watering pots that use a simple wick system, requiring maintenance only once a week. The trend toward green commercial spaces is also rising. “We rent out plants for offices and weddings now. Even for events, clients prefer real plants over artificial decor and want them changed daily to match different themes,” noted vendor Sandip Patil. Organised by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India, the exhibition runs daily from 9 am to 7 pm till Jan 27 at the Empress Botanical Garden in Camp. Whether for learning, leisure, or sourcing garden supplies, the show continues to be a staple of Pune’s cultural calendar.
