Gifting roses won't be a bed of roses on Valentine's Day

New Delhi, Feb 12 (UNI) Love hurts, it sure does! And who would better vouch for that than those mushy couples who would have to pay through their nose to court their sweethearts in view of thriving black marketing of roses two days before Valentine Day's this year.

With love swirling in the air, rains adding to the romantic milieu and Cupid casting its spell, Valentine's Day is round the corner in its full flush but 'love bud-rose' may play spoilsport and prick 'love birds'.

As the demand for roses is climbing by the day during the Valentine season, which starts on February 8 with Rose Day, the prices for the flower are expected to soar to the skies, leaving lovelorn pairs high and dry.

But relentless lovers are still in no mood to give up and don't mind going all hog for the day.

Despite the fact that roses are being sold at rip-off prices, lovers don't mind buying them.

''Roses are the best way to express your love on Valentine's Day and I don't mind paying extra to make my woman feel special,'' said Rohit Khanna, a college-goer.

Today, a rose stem is sold between Rs 25-30, but expected to skyrocket to touch the mark of Rs 80-100 per stem on D-Day.

Roses, which were being sold at Rs 80 for 20 pieces two days ago, are now being sold at Rs 200 for 20 pieces on the wholesale market, Shiv Kumar Thakur, President of the Connaught Place Flower Mandi, told UNI.

The demand for roses is also climbing because they are still being exported to Europe, Japan, Australia and Singapore. Normally, the export of roses in this season comes to a close on February 5 but it is continuing because the severe cold in Europe has destroyed its crop.

The prime quality roses are normally grown in Bangalore, Nashik, and Pune but their export has led to an increase in their prices.

Roses are not the only flower which might shock you with their skyrocketing rates but carnations and zerbras might also.

As the demand for carnations and zerbras is also high their prices are steep - Rs 80 for 20 pieces from Rs 20 for 20 pieces on the wholesale market.

The Valentine season kicks off with Rose day on February 8 followed by Proposal day on Feb 9, Chocolate day on Feb 10, Slap Day on Feb 11, Hug Day on Feb 12, Kiss Day on Feb 13 and Valentine's Day on Feb 14.

Its not only the florists who are laughing all their way to the bank but various commercial brands are also raking in moolah hand over fist. With various schemes and themes based on Valentine's Day to attract love birds big brands are playing the love game in a winning style.

Theme parties and games are being organised at various shopping malls where youngsters are turning up with gusto.

Even mobile companies are not far behind. To cash in on the season they are offering various schemes such as love songs, poetry, love compatibility games and hello tunes based on Valentine theme.

UNI