This Valentine’s Day, roses from Bengaluru bloom for Hyderabad

Hyderabad: This Valentine's Day, flower markets in the city are flooded with imported roses, particularly from Bengaluru, with wholesale prices starting at Rs 250 for a bunch of 20. This dependency starkly contrasts with the past, when lush rose gardens and grape vineyards thrived along the Karimnagar highway in north and north-east Hyderabad.
"The entire city was once dotted with flower and fruit plantations," recalled Nibhanapuri Ramchander Rao, former joint director of the state's agriculture department. "Rose and grape were often grown together due to their compatible requirements."
The shift from flourishing gardens to urban sprawl began in the 1990s, driven by rapid real estate expansion. "Though roses were always cultivated here, the scale increased significantly in the 1990s for exports. But once the construction boom took over, the farms vanished," said P Prashant, principal scientist at floricultural research station in Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University.
Now, Karnataka's ‘hybrid tea roses', cultivated in climate-controlled poly houses, dominate the market. "These varieties stay fresh for four to five days and have a rich colour, while local varieties barely last two days," explained Amrit Kumar, a flower vendor.
Local growers, struggling against harsh summers and high maintenance costs, find it difficult to compete. "In Telangana, rose farming isn't viable without controlled environments. Pests, leaf spots, powdery mildew, and root rot worsen in high temperatures, making cultivation even tougher," said Prashant.
Despite the challenges, some traders continue selling local varieties. "We source flowers from Shamshabad. They cost around Rs 100-120 per bunch and are grown in open fields, requiring minimal maintenance," said Mohammed Faizan, a flower seller.
Consumer preferences have also evolved. "Red roses dominate the market with a 50% share, followed by yellow at 30%, while other colours make up the remaining 20%," Prashant added.
By 2004-2005, most major rose cultivators in Hyderabad shut shop. "Hyderabad wasn't the only hub — Bodhan and Nizamabad were also known for their rose plantations," Ramchander Rao pointed out.
As Hyderabad's dependence on imported roses grows, this Valentine's Day stands as a reminder of the city's lost horticultural heritage, with prices soaring to Rs 400 per bunch during peak demand.