Most of us are parents and grandparents now. All of us have brought up
our children and now are looking after Gen Z. We gave our children and their
children the best of best.
With that as an opening remark, let me shift focus to gardening. I am no
expert on parenting or gardening. We went with the tide of highs and lows. The
churns and turmoil. Even if we consider ourselves as perfect parents, can we be
perfect gardeners?
The answer in both cases would be a big NO. When you look back, there is
something more which could have been done. Things could have been done
differently. There is no perfect template which can fit all.
One saw the kid take baby steps, then their growth stage and then they
matured and ready to bear their own children. What is in store in the future?
No one knows.
Having said that, let me return to the topic of Gardening. This would
interest gardening enthusiasts. Are you a perfect gardener?
My plants are not growing well. They are not flowering. Their leaves are
yellowing and falling. I fed them with the best manure and still I do not see
results. I water them daily and maybe twice a day, still they are drooping. My
plants are not healthy etc…. etc.
If a plant is given a healthy environment and sunlight, there is no
question it won’t grow well. However, genetically if there is an anomaly, it
will have issues. It could be teething issues, which can be overcome.
A plant which has been sown today, will not start flowering on arrival.
It has to mature and then only can it bear flowers and fruits. One has to be
patient. Remember how much time it took you to make you baby learn the table of
two.
Seasonal plants are like cousins who come for a holiday. Once the period
gets over, they go back to where they came from. Not all cousins are perfect.
Some are naughty, some are boisterous, some are calm and so on. Some of them
are your favourites too. But finally, they have to go. You may cry a bit, but
then you look forward to the next holiday season.
How much do you feed your child? What happens if you over feed them?
Either the child will bloat or puke. But then parenting is such a thing that it
always appears that your own child is undernourished if not malnourished. Stuff
him. Is this correct? NO.
Food and nutrition have to be balanced. With age, we move from mother’s
milk to cereals gradually. Similarly, plants need manure, rich with minerals
which they absorb slowly.
Chemical fertilizers are like steroids. We all know the effects, side
effects and after effects. Some chemical fertilizers, if given in limits, may
do wonders. But too much Complan and Horlicks is not good for the health of a
child.
Can we prevent a child from getting stomach aches/ coughs and cold even
when we have taken all precautions? Every child has to go through this process
to get used to changing seasons. Chances are that the plant will live through
but there are chances that it gets affected. Immunity is what we need to work
on.
Some children love to bathe and won’t get out of water. Some do not like
water at all and can throw tantrums. But, how many times should a child be
bathed in a day? Not more than once. In case he soils himself playing in the
dirt then maybe two. Similar is the case with plants. Water them as per need.
Even drinking water has to be controlled. Too little and the child’s
bowel movement suffers. Too much and they will keep wetting the bed. Nowadays
we have diapers but plants do not have the same luxury.
If you hear your child cry, what is your reaction? You want to find out
the reason. A child gives hints if he or she is not well or has an issue with
the body. Similarly, plants give adequate warning that something is not right.
If one can pick it up, it can be cured in time, if not then you need a doctor’s
intervention.
One has to be pleased with imperfections which one learns with
experience. Then when you come of age can you tell or teach your children how
to go about bringing up there’s.
The same is the case with me. Having learnt gardening the hard way, now
one can see and anticipate a few things. Remember, in gardening you have to be
at it, like you are with your child. One slip and the child can fall.
Does this make sense? I wonder!!!!!!!!
JAI HIND
©® NOEL ELLIS
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