By V. Shourabh

Florists in the city have their hands full at the moment, thanks to the Assembly election. There has been a step increase in sales at local flower markets because political parties are placing orders for garlands for rallies and to put on their leaders. Interestingly, a politician’s stature is measured in terms of the weight of his garland.

A rough estimate from the florists showed that their sales had doubled. But florists say that though the election season has added to their income, most of their business is in the wedding season that comes soon after the poll season this year.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Suresh, a florist on Valmiki Road says, “I have been doing this business since about 25 years. First, we used to sell bouquets near Metropole Hotel for 5 years. However, after that we have set up our stall on Valmiki Road and we take orders for decoration and sell bouquets as per the customer’s requirement. While we do get business from political parties, our business peaks after Apr. 16th as the marriage season begins.”

He expects more orders for flower garlands, bouquets and decorative flowers once the names of the candidates are declared and the campaign reaches its crescendo.

There are several stalls on Valmiki Road and almost everyone here sells decoration flowers like roses, gladiolus, blue daisy, gerbera, goldenrod, etc.

Another florist Cheluvaraju who has also set up his stall on Valmiki Road for about more than two decades says, “We have to wait to earn decently only after the Ashada season. During Ashada, there is no much events and our business takes a hit. After Ashada, the wedding season begins and we make good business. With the coming elections, our business will have a huge boom as irrespective of which party wins, the party members and the politicians sometimes come to us to get customised bouquets, which are huge in size compared to the regular ones.”

The ‘Ferns N Petals’ store situated on Kalidasa Road is a favourite decorative flower and gifts shop among teenagers. The store offers floral arrangements both natural flowers as well as the artificial flowers for offices, weddings, rooms, cars etc.

Prasanjeet of the store said, “Our main attraction is dry flowers which are combined with gift items and bamboo plants are gifted as a sign of good omen.” Business at this outlet blooms during wedding season, he added.