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More than 350 000 flowering plants at the Hong Kong Flower Show will transform Victoria Park into a colourful floral wonderland from March 7.
The annual Hong Kong Flower Show, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will be held for 10 days from March 7 to 16 in Victoria Park, from 9am to 9pm daily, featuring "Blossoms of Joy" as the main theme and the kalanchoe as the theme flower. This year's Hong Kong Flower Show is supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as the Major Sponsor.
The event has attracted more than 200 organisations from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas to take part in showcasing exquisite potted plants, beautiful floral arrangements and gorgeous landscape displays. There will also be commercial stalls selling flowers, horticultural products, fast food and other items.
About 40 000 pots of kalanchoe in six species or cultivars will be on display at the showground. Originating in Africa, the kalanchoe is an evergreen, succulent herbaceous perennial of the genus Kalanchoe in the family Crassulaceae. There are about 120 kalanchoe species all over the world.
The kalanchoe thrives in a warm environment with abundant sunlight. Its photosynthesis process is different from that of other ordinary green plants. Its leaf stomata remain closed during the daytime to reduce transpiration and increase oxygen storage, but open at night to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
The leaves of the kalanchoe are elliptic to oblong in shape, opposite, dark green, fleshy with scalloped edges and about 2 centimetres to 8cm long. Tiny flowers in terminal clusters emerge from corollas densely grown on long stems and come in various colours including red, orange, yellow and purple.
The kalanchoe has a long flowering period from late December until May in the following year. It is easy to grow and propagate. Its colourful flowers can brighten up living rooms or balconies, and it is also a good choice for outdoor landscaping.
A rich diversity of educational and recreational fringe activities have also been organised for the enjoyment of visitors of all ages at the flower show. These include music and cultural performances, floral art demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, green activities workshops, green stalls, guided visits, recreation programmes and fun games.
Admission tickets for the Hong Kong Flower Show 2014 are available until March 16 at the LCSD's District Leisure Services Offices, and leisure venues with Leisure Link services such as sports centres, tennis courts and squash courts, except for water sports centres and holiday camps. Tickets will also be sold at the entrance to the Victoria Park showground throughout the show period. Octopus can also be used to pay for admission.
Admission fees for the flower show are as follows:
* Normal rate: $14
* Children, students and senior citizens aged 60 or above: $7
* Persons with disabilities and their minders (each person can enjoy the concessionary rate with one minder only): $7
Concessionary rate from Monday to Friday:
* Free admission for senior citizens aged 60 or above.
* Free admission for persons with disabilities and their minders (each person can enjoy the concessionary rate with one minder only).
* Adults in a group of 30 persons or above will be admitted at half rate.
For enquiries, please call 2601 8260, fax 2691 7264 or visit the LCSD webpage www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/hkfs/2014/en/index.php .
Ends/Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:16
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