Hortikultura 2017: The Plant Garden Show and More

If you're interested in gardening and plants, now is the best time to learn and become updated with the latest innovations in the said industry via HortiKultura 2017: The Plant Garden Show happening from February 3-15, 2017 at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. Annually organized by the Philippine Horticultural Society Inc. in partnership with the Quezon City government, this year's theme is Global Trends in Horticulture. 

This is their 41st year of hosting this once-a-year activity and I've been really fortunate to have been invited by my good friend and fellow blogger, Rence Chan of www.rence15.wordpress.com. It's my first time to attend such an event but I was surprised to find it not only interesting but very informative and educational as well. 

I admit I'm not much of a green thumb. It's actually my mom who has that gift. But I like seeing plants regardless if they're for decorations or flowering plants or fruit bearing ones. Seeing this event as an opportunity for me to learn more about gardening and plants, it wasn't difficult for me to join Rence and company to walking tour of the HortiKultura 2017 Plant and Garden Exhibit found at the Hardin ng mga Bulaklak area inside the Quezon Memorial Circle. So even if it required me to rise early in the morning on a Saturday, I knew it would all be worth it. And I was right, it really was! I had no regrets joining the free walking tour. I hope more people will be joining next time as it's quite sad when there's so much information made available to the public but they're not given much attention. 

There were so many booths during the fair. There were commercial ones where flowers like Petunia, Zinias, Orchids among many others are being sold for a really affordable price. There's also the popular Ashitaba Chalcones which researchers found out can help one to lose weight the natural way. Ashitaba is also known as usage for "heartburn", stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, gout, constipation and hay fever. 

Bougainvillea are also for sale

Sunflowers abound the area

There were lots of beautiful ornamental plants at the said exhibit. From variegated plants, to bonsai ones, succulent cactus, to just about anything. For fashionistas, the landscape areas are also a good place to do your OOTDs. You're allowed to take photos provided that you won't pick the flowers or ruin the landscape. 

Zen style landscaping at its best

Orchids like this Cattleya can be found

Cactus

The event was highlighted by plants as well as landscape booth competitions participated by the different individuals, hobbyists and garden groups. Gardening aficionados will also delight because it's a place where they can source our their favorite plants as well as gardening supplies. 

Japanese landscape are perfect for OOTDs for fashionistas

The said garden show is meant to promote ornamental plant business which is an important source of livelihood especially for the micro and small enterprise who would grow plants for sale, each catering to particular and niche markets.

Round shaped cactus

Heart shaped leaves 

Most of the participants in the said exhibit are plant business entrepreneurs and hobbyists. The hobbyists themselves eventually become commercial entrepreneurs once they realize there is indeed money in growing and selling plants. 

Elephant plants

Raffleasia, the parasitic plant

Get to know the latest plant innovations as well as developments in the plant business. Know how to make variegated plants, unusual ornamentals, flowers and new technologies in both plant production and marketing. 

Art enthusiasts will also be happy to note that there's an ongoing art exhibit on waling-waling courtesy of artist Bimbo Vergara. At the time we were there, there was an on-the-spot painting competition for kids with adult categories as well. Come February 11, there will be an Agribusiness Consultancy in the morning and plant clinic in the afternoon. To make sure the kids will also have fun, they will be entertained with a free storytelling in the afternoon. 

One of the orchid painting available

Hortikultura 2017 is indeed a family affair. It's not just for hobbyists or plant enthusiasts, but it is open for everyone. 

An adult painting during the on-the-spot competition

The Bureau of Plant Industry will also put up a One-Stop Help Desk where they can assist in plant export and import, plant quarantine and provision of domestic transport permit. 

Here are highlight activities for HortiKultura 2017:

For this coming Saturday, February 11, the activities are as follows: 

From 10-12 noon, Adela Ang and Pearl Banaag will be conducting a lecture on the benefits of Ashitaba. On the same day from 2-4 pm, Louie Tabing and Dr. Candida Adalla will talk on Virgin Coconut Oil Making Opportunities & Extraction of Essential Plant Ingredients. On the same day at the Stage Area, 10 am to 12 noon, Dr. Lolita Viyar and Michael Angelo Ragasa will conduct a mushroom growing and processing seminar.

On Sunday, Feb. 12, from 10 to 12 noon, Zac B. Sarian will talk on growing exotic fruit trees. In the afternoon, BMB-DENR will discuss CITES and non-CITES plants. On Monday, Romeo Bello Marbella Jr. will talk on Grape Growing Primer: Philippine Experience.

The bloggers and media group headed by Rence Chan (the guy on the foremost left in red shirt)

You still have a few more days left to catch Hortikultura 2017. If I were you, don't miss this annual event. I promise you, it will be worth the effort and the travel! After all, it happens once every year. So if in case you won't be able to make it this year, you've got to wait for next year to be able to attend one. Rest assured, it will be fun even if you're not really into plants and gardening just like me. 

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own.