Ornamental plant business braces for gloomy days

undefined

undefined

Two to three years ago, everyone (not only plant lovers and hobbyists) went crazy over Anthurium plants, and many people were willing to spend millions of rupiah just to buy a single plant.

Some of the most desirable species' even had their own unique local names, such as gelombang cinta (waves of love), air mata bunda (mother's tears), kobra (cobra) and pagoda.

But it appears that this trend for Anthurium has come to an end, marked by declining demand and a dropping price.

A hobbyist, Sugianto, admitted that the price of Anthurium species has declined. A high-end variety of Anthurium seeds, called garuda (griffin), used to cost Rp 75,000 (US$6) to Rp 100,000. It is now only Rp 7,000.

The price of a small pot of Anthurium jemanii dropped to between Rp 35,000 and Rp 50,000 from Rp 200,000 previously.

However, he said that such a situation was understandable.

" Sansevieria, Adenium, Bromelia, croton and Aglaonema are still favorites.

"

"It is just a supply and demand issue," Sugianto, 41, said.

"The fall of the price might anger traders but they have no passion for ornamental plants. But for hobbyists like me, it does not really matter."

Slamet Budiarto, operatioal manager of Godongijo (green leaves) Nur-sery, said that nowadays there isn't one specific plant that starts a trend.

"Sansevieria, Adenium, Bromelia, croton and Aglaonema are still favorites. Some hybrids are still expensive just because they are rare," he said.

"A nursery is still a prospective business because it is a hobby," Slamet said.

A nursery owner, Chandra Gunawan Hendarto, said the global economic crisis has had a slight impact on his nursery business.

"These days, people tend to buy staple foods instead of collecting plants. There is a slight decline of plant purchases. I just hope that the condition will get better," Chandra said.

However, another nursery owner, Fathoni, was optimistic about being able to survive.

"The crisis will not restrain plant lovers from buying and collecting ornamental plants. One thing that might change is the quantity," Fathoni said.

"Before the economic crisis, a hobbyist might buy dozens of ornamental plants, while after the crisis, he or she might only buy half that many. But I'm optimistic this business will survive," he said.

Want to get more information about ornamental plants? You can join the following online groups:

- The Indonesian Croton Community

Blog: http:/aksikomunitas.wordpress.com
- Aglonema Indonesia: www.aglonema indonesia.co.nr
- Adeniumania: groups.yahoo.com/group/ADENIUMANIA/
- Sansevieria Indonesia http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sansevieria_id/

List of nurseries:
Godongijo
Jl. Cinangka Raya Km. 10 No. 60, Sawangan, Depok Phone: 021-74710678

Toekang Keboen
Nursery & Shop: Kav. 16, 17 & 18, Pusat Tanaman Hias, BSD CITY, Serpong, Tangerang Phone: 021-70930895 (Flexy Home) - 021-54201926

Bale Kembang Nursery
Perumahan Medang Lestari Blok D 3B No. 84, Tangerang, Banten Phone: 021-70468705

Kampung Pohon
Kavling No. 2 & 4, Kota Deltamas, Cikarang Pusat, Bekasi Phone: 021- 71020099