It's spring time. Everywhere you go in Cairo these days colors are splashed across the otherwise banal city. This may not be the most ideal time for those who suffer from hay fever and allergies, but it is unavoidable to not be inspired by the life-reviving season of the plants and flowers. We can never think of spring without seeing, breathing and even talking to the plants; because these earth-borne gifts represent an awakening after slumber, life after death and hope after desperation. The Spring Flower Exhibition, organized every year during this season at Al Orman Park, is an eye-opener with regard to devotion to nature as well as to the wealth this nature has been breeding and sheltering since time immemorial. The magnitude and the value of the exhibition might not be commensurate with the reputation of the park that has lost part of its luster due to the invasion of crowds and construction crews. But delve deeper and there are flowers, plants, cacti, honey combs, gardening pots and tools, designs and plans for ideal gardens and a lot more that should make the heads of horticulturists spin with admiration. Many specialists are participating from agricultural schools and hotel gardens to major plant gardens and reputed flower outlets. But the motive behind participation is not gain as much as taking part in the festivities that mark spring. Flowers abound, such as the queen of all flowers, begonia besides violets, nushias, betonias, the lemon flowers, gladiolus, roses, irises and others that should take you ages to recognize and remember. "There is no life without plants and flowers, stressed Reda Al Husseini, a flower decoration specialist at the Mit Ghamr Agricultural School. "They tone down weather extremes, help people develop a refined taste and induce relaxation. Some might not be particularly fond of them but they start becoming aware of their value once they disappear from the natural surroundings, he added. Al Husseini pointed out that it is worthwhile inculcating in young people the love and value of plants. "In a world threatened by pollution and a sweeping wave of construction there is fear that the green areas will shrink. He noted: "Now only those who own villas and chalets are the ones who care to bring plants and flowers to their places on a regular basis. But Hani Ali, a horticulturist, clarified: "Even among those, only a fraction buy plants and flowers for their own sake. I am dreaming of the day that every balcony and window in the country would be beaming with these shiny natural treasures. The plant corners were no less inviting. Creeping plants that are ideal for pergolas and balconies figured in addition to others like the lemon tree (sicus), zamia (short palm trees), yellow and green yukas, arica and ravana "But novelties include the bamboo plant that originated in both China and Holland, said Nabil Sameh, a seller at the International Company's tent. "The bamboo stem's prices ranges between LE 10 and LE 30 depending on the size. It has recently broken into the market and is in high demand. The cacti corner was a real joy for all visitors, for unbelievably the thorny columns and balls yielded colorful flowers and offered shapes of all kinds. Traditionally, cacti have been considered the one-shaped insipid plant that was only seen in poor desert areas. But experts explained that today that reality has been reversed after many types of cacti have been imported from South America and adapted to the Egyptian soil. "The demand for the cactus has dramatically increased following this development, said Ibrahim Galal, one cacti expert. "We are receiving lots of orders. Cacti are the easiest to keep, for not so much care is required to maintain the thorny plants' health, but many should not do it up and neglect it completely. With little care, cactus can live for decades and decades, informed Galal. The stops at plant and flower outlets never end. But others focusing on plant-care including those offering designs, planting methods and gardening tools and facilities were a world apart. One part of the hobby is not only to collect and accumulate these natural jewels but also how to organize them. This is a different story and details in a short space wouldn't quench the buffs' thirst. Go and visit.
