SHANTI Prasad stole the show with her winning court creation at the Suva flower show yesterday at the Suva Civic but Kadavu lad Aminiasi Naidike was one of the happiest participants.
He did not mind being the only male participant at a show usually associated with women.
This is the second year, Mr Naidike joined the show and made four arrangements.
His arrangement was first in the Landscape category and his Christmas decoration won third place. Mr Naidike, who works at Colonial, said he always had an interest in plants since he was young and his wife supports him.
"My wife Emily, is a graphic designer and helps me with flower arrangement. She tells me the colour combination I should look for."
Mr Naidike's talent showed last year when he entered as a beginner, and ended up scooping most of the awards at that level.
This year, the organisers told him to enter the advanced category and brushed shoulders with women who have been doing flower arrangements for more than 10 years.
By participating and competing with other ladies is a good feeling and boosts my confidence in arranging flowers," he said.
Mr Naidike added that he has learnt a lot since joining the Horticulture Association and by participating at the Suva Flower Show, despite being a new face on the block.
One of the organizers and pioneers in the Horticulture Association, Akosita Raicebe said this year's theme is "Back to Nature."
Mrs Raicebe who participated for the past 13 years now, said it is important for people who love plants and flowers to start thinking of planting their own food.
"With financial difficulties that we are facing now, we are telling our members to plant their own food and flowers that they usually buy and save for the future," Mrs Raicebe said.
