Ayesha de Kretser/Shanghai Daily news

The joys of a flower market ... endless choices of shapes and colors to warm your home in winter. And, of course, the sweetest of smells.

What better way to make your home feel a little warmer this winter than by filling it with fresh cut flowers? And what better place to buy them than the new Lanling Flower Market at 1539 Lingshi Road in Shanghai?

The flower market, which opened yesterday, is a one-stop shop for everything you could possibly ask for when it comes to floral arrangements, whether it be vases, potted plants, cut or live orchids or even artificial flowers.

The market, which has replaced the Jingwen Flower Market in Maoming Road, smells nothing but sweet and makes for one of the most enjoyable experiences one will find in the city.

At weekends, the market is likely to be filled with visitors, eager to find the freshest and brightest flowers. But if you get up early and arrive before about 10 in the morning, it should be easy to navigate with arms full of bundles of flowers.

One of the most impressive features of the market is the orchids, which come in all shapes and sizes. While you might expect to pay ridiculous amounts of money for these truly awesome looking plants, they're actually very inexpensive compared with prices in other countries.

A potted orchid with around five or six beautifully flowering stems will cost between 150 yuan (US$18.52) to 200 yuan and the buds will continue flowering if cared for correctly.

Sufficient light is the first must for successful cultivation, and these flowers prefer an east or lightly shaded south-facing window. Avoid west-facing windows as these can become very hot during certain seasons, causing the flowers to burn.

These plants will adapt to a range of temperatures, and can stand temperatures of up to 37 degrees centigrade if air circulation, shade and humidity are increased.

They only need to be watered once or twice a week, and you should do so during the day so that they are dry by night. Try using mineral water to avoid polluting the soil with unwanted bacteria, and spray it gently on to the stems when new buds look like they're about to bloom.

Another great buy are the potted trees, with huge ceramic pots included in the price. For between 150 yuan to 500 yuan you can pick up all sorts of trees, from small to big and everything in the middle.

In many countries you wouldn't even be able to buy soil to fill the pot for so little money, and the trees are healthy and, if cared for properly, will live for a very long time.

The shopkeepers will tell you that the plants can stand direct sunlight, and they're not lying. As long as they're well watered during the hot summer months and left somewhere where they can also enjoy a little shade in the afternoon, these plants will mostly thrive.

Winter is a different story, and many tender perennial plants need to be moved indoors. Make sure they are located somewhere with good natural light and that they are not diseased or infected with insects before you bring them in, as these spread more quickly among indoor plants than outdoor.

It is also a good idea to bring these plants inside before the coldest of winter strikes, giving them more time to adjust to the change in temperature and humidity.

Relocate them while you are still able to leave the windows open so that the change is gradual, rather than bringing them directly from a frosty winter to a dry, heated room.

If you're worried about having to lug your plants home you can rest assured that nearly all of the shops will deliver them to you, and often for less than the cost of a taxi. Make sure you are able to describe your address in Mandarin, as not many stall keepers can speak English. Having your address and phone number written down will help immensely.

Cut flowers are equally as impressive, and while prices don't vary substantially, often the cheaper ones do not last anywhere near as long as the ones which cost a few yuan more.

Bargaining is certainly acceptable, however there is no need to go overboard as you might at somewhere like the Xiangyang Road Fashion And Gift Market where the first price offered is usually ten times the going rate.

Sometimes subtle discounts are manageable, but generally the staff at these stalls are honest and friendly.

It's the interaction with these shopkeepers that makes the Lanling Flower Market such a pleasant experience. There's hardly any touting, pestering or need for shouting, so don't be put off by the fact it might be crowded at times. Perhaps it's the wafting floral aromas that keep everyone sedate and happy.

Flowers and plants really can brighten up any home, no matter its size or shape. Whether you're after a small table arrangement, a huge bouquet of sunflowers or something more dramatic, like oversized lotus flowers or lily pods, you're sure to find it at this flower market.