A PLANT LOVERS THOUGHTS

A PLANT LOVERS THOUGHTS

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

22/VI/2022

As you step out of the house and look at your plants, the satisfaction one gets if all of them are green and kicking is inexplicable. Especially for us, as we moved from a very contrasting weather and climate, where it was hot and humid and received rain for almost six months. Now we are in the midst of a desert, scorching hot, with dust storms and loo.

Most of them are five years old or even more. It is more like your child adjusting to a new school and a new environment when you move on posting. New atmosphere, new school bus, new peers, new friends, new teacher, new bench mate and so on. But then the child finds his place.

Having suffered a few plant losses, which was obvious and we were prepared mentally, we moved on. The first thing one looks at is the weaklings. Is there any change from the previous day? Hope it is not dry, hope there is no pest infection. Not that they are favourites but such pots get the maximum attention. Plant lovers may agree with me.

Having done that through inspection, then one looks to the others. Not that they are any less. The very fact that they are decorating your life & garden is proof enough that you love them too.

Then starts the watering spree. Should you fill the pot to the brim, just a sprinkle, no water as the soil is moist, is now by heart. Each pots speciality is well known. ‘Isko dhoop main karo, is ko chayan main, is ko adhi dhoop-adhi chayan. Isko khaad, isko prune. All these are a continuous process.

One lady taking a walk asked me, who is your Mali? I frowned. I said, Mam the one standing infront of you. Her expressions said it all, as if she wanted to get hold of her husband by his throat and drag him here, “seekho kuch in se”. My husband loves plants but remains busy, she said. I nodded. I could make out the sudden respect she showed when she gave one whack on the bum of her dog who was smelling one pot for marking. Sorry, she said.

We have had two showers recently and buds in our rain lilies are sprouting. Peeli, pink, white and choti pink. Mind always goes to the place where they were placed in our previous garden. Every spot had been fixed for a particular variety. When the ‘Birds of Paradise’ came up, it was ecstasy.

How does one know that the garden is living? It has new buds & leaves. Hibiscus are in their second cycle of flowering now. A welcome sign. Leaves which had shrivelled in the winters are now back to their full size. Some leaves are yellowing & falling off. Luckily there is no sign of pests. Heart breaks when a bud is about to open but it falls off.

Another sign of life in the garden is when new shoots sprout. This is what happened to Dragon fruit saplings. A small widget is showing at the tips. I shall have to transplant them soon. They are enjoying their stay with us.

I can understand the plight of the farmers who depend on rains. They sow and wait for the rains. When I saw the bird feed we spread in a bed, seeds of Bajra and Jowar have sprouted. One will have to devise new methods for their feeding the birds. One spell of rain has brought them to life.

Another idea has struck me, to plant seeds in pots to grow. We now spread quality grains. Birds will get attracted to the pods. One will have new subjects to shoot in action at close range.

The portulacas are just too happy to flower. Last couple of months they have brought so much happiness. I am looking for new colours to add to my collection. A little beg, borrow, steal would have to be done.

This morning it was a sight to watch when a spider caught hold of a bee. The bee eaters are having a ball, eating away so many which fly around, but this is for the first time I saw a spider holding on to a bee which was not caught in its web. It was holding it tight on our lamp post.

Breakfast had been served for the spider and so was for me. I wound up the show for the morning. Today, the plants were to be spared from watering due to a passing shower last evening. Every day is a revelation, every day is a challenge, every day is a learning for gardening enthusiasts’ life.

Plant lovers can understand what I mean. Isn’t it? I wonder!!!!!!!!!!

JAI HIND