Floriculture Along the hills of Darjeeling
The hilly tract of Darjeeling is widely known for offering a multitude of farming options. Among the various kinds of plantations like, tea, teak, cinchona and many others, flower cultivation has carved a well-coveted place in the economy of Darjeeling. The cold humid weather of Darjeeling offers a favorable physical condition for cultivating a multitude of flowering plants species. However, when it comes to floriculture in Darjeeling, the first thing comes to the mind is orchid cultivation. Since years, Darjeeling hills are the natural home for countless orchid species like Cymbidiums, Vandas, Dendrobiums, Paphiopedilums, Lycaste, Odontoglossum, Phaius, Arundina and many other unusual species.
In the past several decades, floriculture was all the rage in the nurseries of Kalimpong area. The involvement in the floricultural activities led the nurseries of Kalimpong developing their own techniques in tissue culture propagation of orchids and other related floricultural plants. Presently, four nurseries are engaged in the activities of propagation in Kalimpong.
Floriculture has started to be a significant part of Darjeeling’s economy, when a large amount of floriculture exports has started to contribute in the mainstream economy, like tea and tourism. According to the statistical reports, floriculture exports from these hills started 5-6 decade back.
With enormous scope in the present multi-million dollar floriculture industry, these hills are becoming a great contributor of flower and plant species. The hills form the natural habitat for the largest number of plant species in the world till date. Therefore, this region naturally has enormous potential.
According to the floriculture trends in the global market today, these hills now have limitless scope for production of Gladioli cut flowers to cater to the increasing demand of both the domestic as well as the export market. Flower cutting and trading started here, over three decades back. Apart from Gladioli, a number other flowers are also available for cutting these days. Among the other flowers, mention can be made of anthuriums and Orchids particularly Cymbidiums, bulbous flowers of lilies, ornithogalum and other attractive flowers like gerberas, carnations and green species like ferns etc.
56 km from Kalimpong, and situated at an altitude of 5500ft, Kanchenjunga, is draped with colorful flowers of different species. The panoramic view of the region is perhaps the most exquisite scenery, which can quench your desire to absorb nature in Darjeeling. The quixotic view of floriculture along the hilly tract of Darjeeling also makes a wonderful tourist getaway.
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