UWI holds 2009 Horticultural Exhibition

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus was transformed into a Garden of Eden last weekend as the Horticultural Society held its 2009 Horticultural Exhibition.{{more}}

The Exhibition took place at the campus from October 24 to 25 and featured over 110 floral arrangements and plants in nineteen categories. The pieces were judged and prized in each category.

President of the society Jenny John told Searchlight that to do well in the competition, the plants and flowers must be healthy and growing, and, most importantly, they must be attractive.

The exhibition included an array of the botany of St. Vincent, including beautifully arranged anthurium lilies, orchids, lush cacti and African violets. A variety of other plants was also on display and some were up for sale.

According to John, the exhibition has been around since 1985. The main purpose of the competition, she said, is to stimulate the society and to help them, as well as the general public, showcase their creativity. The society, she said, focuses on making flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables healthy and attractive.

John added that the group also visits gardens around the country and teaches persons how to plant in an attractive way. The society has planted flowers at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and the Central Police Station.

Other organizations including Lauders Agro Processors, the Taiwanese Mission, ACE Hardware and CWSA were also part of the exhibition. Individuals who make garden décor also showcased their art which included bird houses and concrete structures.

“I thought it was good,” John said, giving her opinion of this year’s exhibition.

The last exhibition was held in 2005.(OS)