A promising winter seasonal bedding flower in the Arabian Peninsula

Added on 18 December 2024

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A promising winter seasonal bedding flower in the Arabian Peninsula

Petunia production at Al Sulaiteen Nursery, Qatar.

The petunia flower is globally recognized as a key bedding plant and is particularly popular in the Gulf countries of the Arabian Peninsula (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) due to its exceptional flowering performance during the winter months. In this region, which experiences minimal precipitation, petunia petals are not damaged by rainfall or any other forms of precipitation. The relatively dry conditions help reduce excessive wetting of the plant canopy, allowing the flowers to bloom continuously for nearly five months throughout the winter season. As a result, petunias are considered an ideal bedding plant for landscaping contractors and municipalities, offering low-maintenance costs.

With the rapid development of new parks, residential areas, transportation infrastructure, and sports facilities in the region, the demand for seasonal flowers for beautification purposes is steadily increasing. Furthermore, with the region hosting numerous international sporting events, landscaping and beautification efforts are intensifying both now and in the foreseeable future. Consequently, the use of seasonal flowers is on the rise, with petunias emerging as a dominant and highly promising bedding plant in the region. Local flower growers are eager to collaborate with breeders to develop petunia varieties that are better adapted to the specific climatic conditions of the Arabian Peninsula.

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