Two men will be among a group of 20 florists from the Highlands Region who will participate at the National Orchid and Flower Show this weekend.
The organizer of the Highlands floral displays and National Capital District, Keryn Hargreaves said it will be a first for the florists from Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Jiwaka and Western Highlands provinces to participate in the show.
“We will be bringing a plane full of flowers, all the different orchids from Mt Hagen as well as from Jiwaka, Chimbu, the Everlasting Daisies from Mt Wilhelm, interims, bird of paradise, and all the lilies,” Ms Hargreaves said.
“We will feature flower dresses which will all be assembled to feature statue made out of flowers.
“The Bird of Paradise will be featured in our arrangements.”
Ms Hargreaves said their main aim is to expose the floriculture industry of Goroka.
“Goroka is known as the flower town so the highlight would be promoting the floriculture of Goroka, the Highlands and
PNG.
“The different flowers and the potential of the floriculture industry needs to be harnessed and promoted so being there is the highlight for us.
“It is also an opportunity to display all the different flowers that we have to our wholesalers down in Port Moresby and around the country.
“We have flowers going as far as Buka so for us being there is more about exposing the floriculture industry.”
Ms Hargreaves started Goroka Flower Show three years ago and it has been running in June every year.
“Personally I’ve been into flowers ever since I was younger as my mother was into flowers but for enjoyment and not commercial.”
“I extended my time to host the Goroka Flower show, something I enjoy because of the beauty, it is therapeutic and has a lot of benefits such as medicine.
“For me it’s getting involved in something out of enjoyment as a hobby and a passion.”
Ms Hargreaves said the floriculture industry is a sleeping giant because most of the focus is on food and agriculture.
“It needs to get out there and be marketed and promoted as part of the Small to Medium Enterprise providing employment in the floriculture industry.
“A lot of these florists are single parents and it’s their form of income to sustain their livelihood.
“Some of them supply their flowers as far as Buka, Kimbe and Port Moresby.
“Most of the floral displays in Port Moresby are from Goroka and Mt Wilhelm.
“I thank the National Orchid and Flower Show for inviting us to represent the highlands region.
“We look forward to be part of this special occasion and to celebrate the 50th independence with PNG as well during the National Orchid and Flower show.”