In anticipation of the forthcoming 41st All India Rose Convention cum Rose Show and the 34th Annual Flower Show, the Horticultural Society Jamshedpur organised a one-day workshop on “Rose Disease and Nutrient Management” at the SNTI Auditorium. The event saw participation from approximately 150 individuals from various organizations and educational institutions, including Kolhan University and other colleges. Attendees hailed from different states, such as Odisha (Cuttack, Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar), West Bengal (Kolkata, Midnapur), and Jharkhand (Ranchi, Noamundi).
The workshop began with the ceremonial lamp lighting by the Chief Guest, Aatrayee Syanyal, Vice President, HRM, Tata Steel. Sumita Nupur, President of the Horticultural Society Jamshedpur, delivered a warm welcome address, highlighting the significance of the workshop in the lead-up to the prestigious rose and flower shows.
In her address, Syanyal emphasized the therapeutic benefits of gardening, particularly in the context of today's screen-dominated lifestyles. She noted that gardening offers a stress-free life and peace of mind. Syanyal also pointed out that roses, which require heavy feeding and care, are as prevalent in European countries as marigolds and bougainvillea are in India.
The workshop featured an introduction by Baren Maity, who presented the esteemed faculty member, Sanjay Mukherjee, a renowned rose breeder and Vice President of the East Zone, Indian Rose Federation, Kolkata. Mukherjee is the recipient of the prestigious “Bijoy Pokharna” Rose Gold Medal, conferred by the Indian Rose Federation.
Mukherjee's presentation focused on the importance of potted rose culture in West Bengal and Jamshedpur, noting its limited prevalence even in Western countries. He highlighted that India is home to approximately 3,000 rose species and recommended that gardeners focus on cultivating Indian varieties, which are better suited to the local climate. He also emphasized that Jamshedpur's climate is particularly favorable for growing roses.
During his session, Mukherjee provided detailed insights into the effective control of several plant diseases, including Scale, Rust, Black Spots, Canker, and Dieback. He also distributed a comprehensive paper outlining the recommended schedule for periodical feeding of rose plants.
The workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants by Sumita Nupur and B. K. Maity, the President and Vice President of the Horticultural Society Jamshedpur, respectively. Aswani Srivastava, Joint Secretary of the Horticultural Society Jamshedpur, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all attendees and contributors for making the event a success.
