Hewage Nursery blooms in Seetha’s capable hands

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Flowers create a fascinating world to live around and its assortment and diversity add spice to an otherwise monotonous life. In today’s context flowers have become a way of expressing feelings and has taken the centre stage in any occasion, be it a happy or sad bringing closeness to one’s heart. Being passionate about flowers, while travelling to Colombo to see flower exhibitions, unlocked a potential business proposition for Seetha de Silva. Her keen interest to gain further knowledge in the field of plant nurseries was well rewarded through her viable venture Hewage Orchids. As her nursery plants are propagated and grown to usable size they were much in demand. The business is a combination of retail nurseries which sell to the public and wholesale nurseries which sell only to businesses such as other nurseries and to commercial gardeners.

Although the popular image of a nursery is that of a supplier of garden plants, the range of nursery functions is far wider than that, and is of vital importance to many branches of agriculture, forestry and conservation biology. Some nurseries specialize in one phase of the process- propagation, growing out, or retail sale; or in one type of plant. Hewage Orchids stand tall among other nurseries as it was the first orchid nursery in the Galle District. Seetha has forged ahead being the pioneer in her favourite variety of flower thus gaining the first mover advantage establishing the business for nearly three decades.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q. How do you describe your line of business?

A. I started Hewage Orchids in 1983 in Wathugedara, Ambalangoda initially with orchid plants.

This was the first orchid nursery in the Galle District and the demand for the plants was high. Later I expanded the nursery to include ornamental flowers to make them a great choice for sprucing up a garden. Though they can sometimes be difficult to maintain I devoted more time to take care of the plants till it bloom to make an attractive site.

I regularly visit flower exhibitions in Colombo especially at Vihara Maha Devi Park to ensure a wider selection for my customers. As the business is well established I try to introduce new breeding varieties and also take measures to disseminate tips on gardening.

Q. How do you manage time to handle your personal life?

A. My brother Nobel Samarahewa and sister Anula de Silva is very supportive towards the plant nursery.

This gives me the added flexibility to visit exhibitions in Colombo and gain knowledge and purchase new varieties to develop the business. I have visited nearly 70 exhibitions so far. I am also involved in many community projects and the help of my brother and sister is valuable to run the business.

Q. What motivated you to venture into business on your own?

A. The passion for flowers, especially orchids, was the main driving force for me to set up the business.

The distribution of 10 community pots with 25 plants during the then held GamUdawa was a turning point in the business. With the passing of time I gathered experience and the passion was further fueled by the assistance from the Galle Agromart Foundation.

Q. What are your goals?

A. I plan to conquer the export market which will be a dream come true for me. I am currently working on this and there are many pre-requisites before embarking on this journey.

Q. How do you face the challenges of competition?

A. This business is highly seasonal as there are different times for flowering. There is no guarantee that there will be demand for the products and also produce would be affected by temperature, drought, cheaper foreign competition, fashion, among other things. I face all these challenges and competition gives me the added encouragement to better the output.

Q. What example do you provide to others?

A. As a pioneer is introducing orchids as a garden flower in the Galle District, I share my knowledge with orchid enthusiasts. Many have become close friends and I have a high regard as a provider of quality plants.

Q. Who are the key contributors in the venture?

A. I value the advice and guidance provided by the Galle Agromart Foundation and its Manager and the staff. The Agriculture Department at Gannoruwa, Peradeniya and Galle Agriculture Department Damitha de Silva (retired), Padmini de Silva and Deputy Director Tamara Pushpalatha too were supportive. The others were the Southern Agricultural Department in Labuduwa, Ambalangoda, Chapa Lasanthi Balapitiya Agricultural Instructor and Padmini Silva, Galle District Chamber of Commerce, Galle District Entrepreneurs Association. I also contribute in the capacity of Secretary to the Galle District Flower Growers Association and was the President of the Galle Agromart Foundation.

Q. What are your achievements in family life and business?

A. I have long standing customers and although there are a number of other plant nurseries, I have maintained my margins. The business gives positive returns and it is a pleasure to note gardens blossom with Hewage Orchids.

As I mostly have orchids I have a wide range of customers from Galle, Hikkaduwa, Bentota and Aluthgama. The boom in the tourism sector has benefited the venture immensely as hotel trade requires flowers on daily basis. I have followers but I am not affected by their presence.

Q. What is your message to society?

A. Practical success is the ability to go from one success to another without losing your focus and without getting carried away with it. Adversity is a great teacher hence it is important to face challenges with courage and move forward tin reaching your goals.

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