Passing far to the north side of Bandung City is an interesting experience. Not only Lembang, cool air will invade the body when visiting Cihideung. This area deserves if the anointed one of the beautiful tourist area of West Bandung regency, West Java. In addition to cool, this region has a myriad of interesting sights.
If the park playground and a culinary tour of Kampung Gajah and strawberries “own strings” Lots and Houses Strawberries Strawberries’ve become your destination, it’s time you looked into all the way to both locations. As far as the eye could see, you will see hundreds of merchants along the road of ornamental plants Sergeant Bajuri, Cihideung. A colorful variety of flowers and ornamental plants burst Cihideung accompany your travel.
Green Gold
The majority community has Cihiceung livelihood as traders flowers and ornamental plants. For example Wacih Herawati (39), he chose the chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum) and kastuba (Euphorbia pulcherrima) as the mainstay that sells flowers.
No wonder when entering Marlina Flower Studio, as well as plant nurseries owned stores Wacih Herawati, yellow and white chrysanthemums and “flame” kastuba presented in front of his red eyes. Flowers kastuba offered USD 10 000 per tree and chrysanthemum USD 5000 per tree.
In total there are 15 species of ornamental plants and flowers are sold Wacih, but chrysanthemum and kastuba dominate. The reason, both types of plants was being favored. Like some time ago, when Bougenville become a trend, too much selling Bougenville Wacih. Similarly, when anthurium or hunted many people love the waves until the price soared to tens of millions. In fact, this plant was called the “green gold” because the price is high.
Planting and care of chrysanthemums and kastuba, Wacih words, spelled trouble taking things easy. Chrysanthemum, once planted, can be 7000 poly bags. While kastuba poinsettia that has another name, can reach 1500 once Semal polybag.
Each polybag contains a mixture of husks and manure that become nutrients for plants. Flower nurseries done every 2-3 weeks. Seedling cuttings this way also the reason for Wacih to memllih two types of this plant because it feels easy.
Kastuba plants ready for sale after the age of six monthly. While chrysanthemums faster, ie the age of 3 months. Both types of these plants are not spelled out “fuss” as long as the sun gets intake, water, and adequate fertilizer.
“This plant had to be (getting) a lot of sunlight. If not, the interest can be a little later. But, too much affected by exposure to sunlight is also not good. Therefore, the leaves can be to become blackish like charred For fertilizer, NPK fertilizer given once every two weeks. Once fertilization, NPK fertilizer can be 1020 points, “explained Wacih.
On average each plant has a flowering period for about two monthly. In this period of flowering, Wacih suggested that plants were not given fertilizer. Therefore, fertilization during the flowering plants capat causing flowers to be too large. Flowers that are too large are not balanced with proprosi plant itself.
Consequently, the stalks are too heavy to support interest rates will make ducked down.
Meanwhile, in order to prevent crop pests such as flies do not attack, caterpillars, and aphids, spraying of pesticides conducted once a week when plants are young. After the plants grew, the spraying is done in 2 weeks.
Accessibility Constraints
Most buyers of ornamental flowers and plants in Cihideung derived from the Bandung area. However, not too few buyers coming from out of town, such as Semarang, Cirebon, Jakarta, Garut, and Palembang. In fact, there are also buyers from overseas, such as the Netherlands and Malaysia, and Japan. However, like the wheels are rolling, sometimes above, sometimes well below, the business of selling flowers and ornamental plants in Cihideung also experienced some highs and lows.
The period of interest is a resounding sales around the year 2006-2007. However, after that, the sales rate to fall drastically this year.
“Back then, about three years ago, usually sold 300-400 plants per day. Most came from the Sumatran region of Palembang and Lampung. They came with big trucks and bought plants. Now, no more. Purchase mostly by individuals who only buy one or two crops alone, “said Wacih.
Declining sales turnover rates make Wacih decrease the number of seed plants, which will inevitably affect the number of workers. Of the 15 workers, Wacih cut the number to be seven people.