Lovers of the plant kingdom, members of the travel trade, consumers, agro-scientists, conservationists, and all those keen to help tackle global warming, climate change, and similar looming challenges of the 21st century, will find that the place to be is at Thailand’s greatest garden show, the International Horticultural Exposition Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011.
The International Horticultural Exposition, known as the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Fair is aimed to mark and celebrate the three auspicious occasions - HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 84th birthday anniversary in 2011, Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday anniversary and Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 60 birthday anniversary in 2012.
There will be grand-scale celebrations. Activities are divided into three parts - exhibitions about agriculture and the royal agricultural projects, national and international agricultural conferences, and plant contests.
Most interestingly, visitors will see for the first time at this Expo a fascinating innovation in horticulture developed by Thai agriculturalists – a giant color-changing lotus. This lotus is usually categorized under the same group as the giant lotus of Australia, which is considered very rare. Thailand’s Lotus Research Department, Ministry of Agriculture, has developed it as a thoroughbred. When cross-breeding is done properly, a total of five colors is achieved: white, pink, light blue, dark blue, and purple. The lotus petals change their color, starting from white in its first bloom and gradually darkening every day till finally the color turns to fuchsia. The flower will bloom for up to six days. The best time to admire this miracle is on a bright, sunny day between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Another highlight of the exposition is the miniature lotus. This lotus flower is very small and can be grown in small containers like bowls or coffee cups. Requiring only a little sunlight, it can thrive even in the shade.
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