HortiKultura Filipina opens Feb.3
HortiKultura Filipina 2018, the Plants and Arts Festival of the Philippine Horticulture Society, opens to the public on Feb. 3. The event spans all four show gardens at the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC): Hardin ng mga Bulaklak (Flower Garden), Tropical Garden, Runnex Elevated Garden and Rock Garden. Special exhibits are also scheduled at the nearby QCX Museum.
Among the highlights of the show are Allied Botanical, which is bringing upland blooms that can be to lowland tropical conditions. King Louis Flowers, Manila’s favorite supplier of Christmas poinsettias and wedding flowers, is weaving together flowers of varying vintage colors that will carpet the Elevated Garden or Runnex of QMC. In another part of Runnex, My Mother’s Garden is putting up a meditative area by showcasing a collection of 20 bonsai plants.
There are 15 entries in competition for Best Landscape Design, while indoor and outdoor potted plants will also be displayed. These types of plants are vying for different best in show categories.
Urban Farming is showcasing creative farming in small spaces or in recycled containers. Exhibit and competition on urban farming promote the cultivation of different varieties of vegetable and ornamental plants that can be grown in your own homes or available community areas. The ultimate aim is to augment family incomes and reduce food expenses.
At least 10 vertical gardens are being set up at the QMC’s Rock Garden. Groups of UP Landscape Architecture students were tasked to do basic designs. Harbest Agribusiness will be on hand to advise on irrigation systems for vertical gardens. It will also help revive and refurbish the existing vertical gardens at the Tropical Garden and at the rotunda fronting the East Avenue gate of QMC.
One of the newest categories in competition is the terrarium. Creations by Jhay Cortes will be on exhibit.
Tiffany Cham, wildlife breeder and creator-partner of the World of Creepy Crawlies at the Manila Ocean Park, is also exhibiting a number of her terrariums including a host of exotic animals.
Aside from DIY seminars on horticulture, plant propagation and sustenance, the Department of Trade and Industry through its agencies such as the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Bureau of Domestic Trade is holding daily seminars, lectures and counseling on business start-ups on horticulture and business related topics.
HortiKultura Filipina 2018 is open to the public from Feb. 3 to 11.