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The Hong Kong Flower Show 2014, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will be held at Victoria Park from 9am to 9pm daily from tomorrow (March 7) until March 16. This year's flower show features "Blossoms of Joy" as the main theme and the kalanchoe as the theme flower.
More than 350 000 flowers, including 40 000 pots of kalanchoe representing six cultivars, will transform Victoria Park into a colourful wonderland throughout the show period. This year's Hong Kong Flower Show is supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as the Major Sponsor.
More than 200 organisations from 16 countries, namely Australia, Belgium, China, Estonia, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, will showcase exotic flowers, landscapes and floral art displays.
The LCSD will also present a spectacular exhibit entitled "A Garden of Joy in Hong Kong". The display is made up of striking contours and a lively composition using colourful kalanchoes to form a multi-layered parterre. Flowering plants provide the background for scenes of everyday bliss such as taking a leisurely stroll, cycling along tracks, relaxing under the shade of a tree, reading, playing a game of chess and more.
Another exhibit, named "Floral Sea" and measuring 28 metres in length and 15m wide, creates a rich and colourful layering effect. The theme flower kalanchoe in a variety of colours is clustered closely with other floral species and contrasts with tulips. The tulip display in a variety of colours is strikingly beautiful and provides an opportunity for leisure viewing and photo-taking.
Other main attractions include a mosaiculture display entitled "My Home Among the Corals", showcasing marine creatures living in the coral reefs; a Brand Hong Kong floral wall made up of colourful plants; a Hong Kong Velodrome floral wall; and special plant exhibits featuring Sinojackia xylocarpa and Dracula simian.
Originating in Africa, the kalanchoe is an evergreen, succulent herbaceous perennial of the genus Kalanchoe in the family Crassulaceae. There are about 120 species all over the world.
The kalanchoe thrives in a warm environment with abundant sunlight. It has a long flowering period from late December until May in the following year and comes in various colours including red, orange, yellow and purple. 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.
A rich diversity of educational and recreational fringe activities will also be organised for the enjoyment of visitors of all ages. They will 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 at 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 at www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/hkfs/2014/en/index.php.
Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:30
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