The reality behind the farming of flowers may not seem to be as pretty as the flowers are in the bundles and bouquets that are gifted to loved ones on Valentine’s Day.

The flower industry has a significant impact on the environment of Cameron Highlands, which is where most florists in the Peninsular Malaysia source their flowers from.

At a chrysanthemum farm in Blue Valley, workers were seen spraying pesticides on the flowers and barrels of chemicals with a pungent smell were placed on the ground.

Chrysanthemums do not usually make it on Valentine’s Day bouquets but the mode of farming is similar at the six percent (451.2ha) of Cameron Highlands farms that produce premium cut flowers like roses, carnations and gerberas.