Gardner Reena Nandani pursues her love for planting flowers despite the losses she incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Ana.

The cyclone damaged more than 100 of her pot plants including her nursery, which was badly affected by flood waters.

The impact has not dampened Ms Nandani’s passion. In fact, the circumstances have motivated her to keep going.

“I have many different kinds of flowers – ginger, roses, lillies, vibrant red bougainvillea, hibiscus, orchids, anthurium, frangipani and many more,” she said.

“I had lost many in the recent flooding, …but at the moment I am now spending time planting more.”

Ms Nandani said the estimated cost of damage was more than $2000.

“During the weekdays, it gives me enough time to dedicate my hours to planting, where I do a lot of experiments and come up with new ideas,” she said.

“Our main source of income was from selling pot plants or doing other sales at the Labasa Market.

“My daughter and husband are always supporting me and mostly they will spend their weekends in the nursery.”

Ms Nandani has been in the flower business for the past six years.

She also does sales from her home in Korowiri. The prices range from $5 to $200.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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