BEING sold for a whopping 8 million baht at the southern region’s World Plant and Cactus Fair that was launched today (Jan. 27) in Hat Yai city is a beautiful Philodendron Black Cardinal No.1 plant, Naewna newspaper said.
With over 10,000 species of plants on show it is this 8-million-baht dazzler that is the star of the show.
This is the first fair of its kind in the southern province and is running till Sunday Jan. 30 at the Central Department Store in Hat Yai. The show was opened by Deputy Governor of Songkhla Mr. Wongsakorn Nunchukhan who was accompanied by Mr. Sulerrit Sriphochanart, a representative of the Southern Plant Lovers Committee, and other dignitaries.
Within the hundred stalls are all types of plants including cacti, polka dot and exotic plants as well as those good to grow in a vegetable garden.
There are also workshops for newcomers who want a career in this field.
However the highlight of the show is of course the 8-million-baht Philodendron Black Cardinal No.1 which the stall operator Mr. Patikit Thongkaemkaew, from Suan Ruedeerak shop in this southern city, said is this costly because it is hard to find nowadays.
He added that this plant is popular and was previously exported in large amounts to other countries. As a result, it has now become scarce, difficult to find and difficult to multiply.
The hefty price tag reflects the perfection and beauty of the plant, with this also being much higher than Philodendron Black Cardinal No. 2 and other plants.
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The plant that is being sold for 8 million baht. Photo: Naewna