Pune: The flower market in the city is witnessing a sharp turnaround ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, with festive demand pushing up prices after a brief period of unusually low rates.Pune Market Yard flower market saw a massive spike as a single-day transaction reached over Rs 68 lakh on Sept 11. Marigold, chrysanthemum and gulchhadi are among the varieties that are strongly in demand.Traders said the rush would intensify as Chaturthi approaches because households and mandaps stock up on fresh flowers. Flowers are being sourced heavily from districts like Solapur, Satara, Sangli, and parts of Karnataka to fulfill requirements for Ganapati pandals and home pujas.“About 10 days ago, prices had drastically dropped. Now, due to festive demand, it has picked up again. Every year prices remained high a day before chaturthi because everyone wants fresh flowers for decoration,” said Sachin Wagh, a flower seller in Camp.Wholesale prices at Market Yard currently range from Rs 30-40 per kg for marigold and Rs 50-120 per kg for chrysanthemum to Rs 300-400 per kg for gulchhadi. Gerbera is around Rs 80-100 per kg, carnation Rs 150-250 per kg and orchid Rs 400-600 per kg.However, these prices increase two-folds by the time flowers reach a retailer or a roadside vendor, especially when turned into garlands.“Garlands have become double the price it was last year. This year, I went to a local bazaar to get flower garlands, and they were selling them for Rs 600 per large piece and Rs 300 for a smaller piece. It was within the budget to take loose marigold and make the garlands at home,” said Shubhangi Kasbe, a resident of NIBM Road.Rajendra More, a flower seller from Vimannagar, said, “Garland prices depend on the design and effort, along with the flowers. Garlands, during Ganeshotsav or any other festival like Diwali, are expensive. Our garland prices start from Rs 500 during the festival, but if you buy it afterwards, the price for the same garland would be Rs 100.”The choice of flower also depends on its purpose. “Marigold and chrysanthemum are extensively used for garlands, torans and mandap decoration because they are colourful and relatively durable. Jasmine and tuberose are preferred for their fragrance in puja and smaller garlands,” said Payal Jadhav, a flower seller in Katraj.“Red flowers, such as hibiscus, are traditionally offered to the deity. Roses, however, are used both for offerings and decoration. Lotus has been associated with purity and auspiciousness and may be offered during puja, while orchids, lilies and gerberas are more often used for elaborate decorative arrangements,” she added.
