Passing far to the north side of Bandung City is an interesting experience. Not only Lembang, cool air will invade the body when visiting Cihideung. This area deserves if anointed one beautiful tourist area of West Bandung regency, West Java. Besides the cool, the region has a myriad of interesting sights.

If the park playground and a culinary tour of Kampung Gajah and strawberries "own strings" Lots and Houses Strawberries Strawberries've become your destination, it's time you looked into along the way to both locations.

As far as the eye could see, you will see hundreds of ornamental plant traders along Jalan Sergeant Bajuri, Cihideung. Various kinds of colorful flowers and ornamental plants burst Cihideung accompany your travel.

Green Gold

The majority community has Cihiceung livelihood as traders flowers and ornamental plants. For example Wacih Herawati (39), he chose the chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum) and kastuba (Euphorbia pulcherrima) as the mainstay that sells flowers.

No wonder when entering Marlina Flower Studio, as well as plant nurseries owned stores Wacih Herawati, yellow and white chrysanthemums and the "flame" kastuba presented in front of his red eyes. Flowers kastuba offered USD 10 000 per tree and chrysanthemum USD 5000 per tree.

In total there are 15 species of ornamental plants and flowers are sold Wacih, but chrysanthemum and kastuba dominate. The reason, both types of plants was being favored. Like some time ago, when Bougenville become a trend, too much selling Bougenville Wacih. Similarly, when anthurium or hunted many people love the waves until the price soared to tens of millions. In fact, this plant was called the "green gold" because the price is high.

Planting and care of chrysanthemums and kastuba, Wacih words, spelled trouble taking things easy. Chrysanthemum, once planted, can be 7000 poly bags. While kastuba poinsettia that has another name, can reach 1500 once Semal polybag.

Each polybag contains a mixture of husks and manure that become nutrients for plants. Flower nurseries every 2-3 weeks. Seedling cuttings this way also the reason for the two types memllih Wacih for this plant because it feels easy.

Kastuba plants ready for sale after the age of six monthly. While chrysanthemums faster, ie the age of 3 months. Both types of these plants are not spelled out "fuss" as long as the sun gets intake, water, and adequate fertilizer.

"This plant had to be (getting) a lot of sunlight. If not, the interest can be a little later. But, too much sun exposure also affected badly. Because, the leaves can be to become blackish like charred For fertilizers, NPK fertilizers are given once every two weeks. Once fertilization, NPK fertilizer can be 1020 points, "explained Wacih.

On average each plant has a flowering period for about two monthly. In this period of flowering, Wacih suggested that plants were not given fertilizer. Therefore, fertilization during the flowering plants capat causing flowers to be too large. Flowers that are too big not balanced with proprosi plant itself.

Consequently, the stalks that are too heavy to support interest rates will make crouch down.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent crop pests such as flies do not attack, caterpillars, and aphids, spraying pesticides conducted during a week when plants were young once. After the plants grew, the spraying is done in 2 weeks.

Accessibility Constraints

Most buyers of ornamental flowers and plants in Cihideung derived from the Bandung area. However, not too few buyers coming from out of town, such as Semarang, Cirebon, Jakarta, Garut, and Palembang. In fact, there are also buyers from overseas, such as the Netherlands and Malaysia, and Japan. However, like the wheels are rolling, sometimes above, sometimes well below, the business of selling flowers and ornamental plants in Cihideung also experienced the highs and lows.

Scintillating flower sales period is about the year 2006 to 2007. However, after that, sales dropped drastically to flower this year.

"Once, about three years ago, usually sold 300-400 plants per day. Most came from the Sumatran region of Palembang and Lampung. They came with big trucks and bought plants. Now, no more. Purchase mostly by individuals who only buy one or two crops alone, "said Wacih on Saturday (07/17/2010).

Declining sales turnover rates make Wacih decrease the number of seed plants, which will inevitably affect the number of workers. Of the 15 workers, Wacih cut the number to be seven people.

When asked the reason decline the purchase, Wacih shook his head weakly. He claimed to not know anything about what happened. The competition selling flowers and ornamental plants on Cihideung really tight. However, each seller of flowers and ornamental plants has its flagship plant itself, such as lily or orchid. Not all plant chrysanthemums and kastuba.

Wacih had thought in mind, to divert his efforts into the garden strawberry. However, his love of flowers and ornamental plants to make it discouraged them.

Constraints surrounding the "Road Thousand Flowers' in Cihideung this is accessibility. To reach the beautiful sights in this Cihideung, visitors must pass through the narrow, steep sections Jaian and potholes.

This road is difficult especially if it was passed with four-wheeled vehicles. You must be patient when it bumped into another kencaraan or buses carrying tourists. Therefore, improvement of road network should be a major concern if the area would be Cihideung natural tourist destination in the north of Bandung.

Cihideung would be more compelling if promoted as a tourism package. Tour the garden strawberry, playground Kampung Gajah, and botanical tours along the road section will be to become a form memories Cihideung an enticing pleasure.