The Flowery Path

Last year, somewhere in the mid of the rainy season, I had developed a strange liking towards plants and flowers. I was inspired by an individual to whom I follow in twitter. We both work for the same organization. He is very senior to me and leads a particular business division. He shares great interest in cooking and terrace plantation or farming, whatever you may call it. 

We worked together on one occasion. I was one of the coordinators for the session in which he was a paneled speaker. During that time, I found out that he is very active in Twitter. That’s when I decided to follow him. With his posts and tweets, I learnt about his passion. He often posted about the vegetables such as Eggplant, Okra and Drumsticks that he grew in his terrace. In fact, he used these organic items in the dishes he cooked. 

Watching him do all that inspired me to do something similar on my own. Well, I haven’t got a big house or a personal terrace like he had for his disposal. But I had a feeling that there is a scope given the space available in my balcony of the rented flat. 

Unfortunately, living in a cramped city like Mumbai there isn’t much room for activities like this. The duplexes, luxurious flats or penthouses may be an exception but the concept of terrace gardening or farming, for that matter, is not at all prevalent. To top that, residing in a rented flat have its own challenges or limitation that are often laid down by landlords.

What developed as an interest initially led to an inspiration and that soon transformed into a craze. Before the zeal could die or my exuberance subside, I put up a proposal to my wife, to do something on a smaller scale in the direction of plantation. Her ‘Yes’ was very important for me. I knew it is not possible to pull off a stunt like this all alone. I needed her support too.

I expected some reservations from her side. To be honest and fair, she has got enough on her plate. On the contrary to my apprehensions, it wasn’t difficult for me to convince her. She agreed without much of a fuss. She does surprise me at times.

My wife suggested to start slow and low, and rightly so. What she meant was - maybe we could start with a few plants and then see how it goes. We should check if we can take care and do all the necessary things, that too out of our busy schedules, to maintain it. In the hindsight, I feel that was one of the wisest suggestions I ever received from her. She didn’t stop there and suggested to consult my mother as well. She is quite experienced in these things. In fact, I forgot that my mother also has a variety of plants in her balcony.

So, I consulted her. Perhaps, for the first time I saw that area which was donned with the flower plants – Jasmine, Rose, Marigold and Verbena (the one that was in the small basket that hangs). She also has a chilli plant and one each for coriander and curry leaves. Depending upon the availability, she often uses those leaves and chillies for consumption. 

I never asked about her hobby before which she picked in the recent past. She discussed with us intently and vibrantly about how she began. It was quite ironical. What I picked up from a stranger, in a way, was also being practiced at my own backyard by my mother. I hardly paid any attention earlier or showed any interest. 

Anyways, then on one of the weekends, we decided to visit the nearby nursery. My wife’s friend recommended a better one, approximately 5 kms away from our house. Thus, I locked down the location at google maps and navigated towards that nursery. While driving I could see the lush green landscape on either side of the road, as it remains during monsoon. It was there to be seen always, now as well as before, but for the first time I was noticing them so intently.

For the record, I live in Mumbai, not at the town side but at one of its suburbs that falls under Thane district. Roughly, some 65 kms away from the main city into the remote areas. The advantage is that we do not have taller buildings or skyscrapers, like we do in the main city, but have significant portion of the land covered with more trees and greenery. That is why my locality is lot cooler comparatively. The winters and rains provide magnificent landscape and very pleasant weather over her. For that, I don’t need to travel far. The view of green and dense vegetation just protrudes out in front whenever I stand in my balcony. The mountain, that can also be seen, glows and appears to be carpeted with fluorescent green patch. It literally shines when sun comes out briefly pausing the rain.

I jumped past the location by some 20 meters. Had my wife not read the sign board, I would have kept driving. Google maps too reacted late. The nursery was located right at the edge of the road. I reversed a little to position my car near the entrance, but I couldn’t find one. Hence, I stopped next to the sign board that my wife had pointed out. 

Unlike foreign countries, where nurseries are covered with the walls made up of glasses, transparent to allow penetration of the sunlight, the nursery that I visited had nothing of that sort. It was completely open and uncovered. 

We stepped on the damp and muddy ground, an effect of heavy rainfall the night before. The weather was clear, and it wasn’t raining that day. Perhaps, I did my homework very well in picking up the day and time to visit. 

As we walked in the muddy pavement, I observed that my son was very excited. Just a day before, he had learnt the chapter about the types of plants at school. The visit here was just like his revision to everything he was taught. While walking with me, clutching my hands, he told me the type of plants that were available in the nursery. He could exactly point out which were shrubs, and which were herbs. I was baffled as well as happy to see him implement what he studied during his schooling hours.

The nursery was quite huge and blended well with the nature. We could see a small hut built in the center, surrounded by variety of plants. There the owner had stored pots of different shapes, sizes and colors. I could also see some of the tools which appeared useful for digging. Perhaps, they were meant for the people who took gardening or farming seriously. We asked the owner about the section where the flower plants were kept. He gestured to show where it was and asked us to follow him. 

On the outlook, that section looked like the bed on which all kinds of flowers with different colors and types were rested. I am not a pro in identifying a flower or calling them by names. Hence, apart from the regular ones that I had seen before, there were many which I never saw it so closely with my naked eyes. It appeared quite soothing and pleasant. The gathering of colorful flowers on that patch invoked the desire to have a small nursery at my home. I even contemplated of becoming a part time florist.

Amongst those, I knew how Rose and Rosemallows looked like and I had seen Marigold at my mom’s place too. But I learnt about Mogra and Sewanti with the help of the owner. Sticking to our plan, we zeroed-in for two flower plants - Rosemallows and Rose along with Tulsi and Money plant – which my mother insisted, courtesy an old belief that its growth reflect the sign of prosperity.

We went for two bigger pots for the flower plants and two medium sized ones for the other two. Apparently, the mud cake to which these plants were rooted and kept in the section weren’t enough. Hence, the staff added more mud and mixed the required fertilizers – that smelled like a cow-dung, and eventually filled the pots with the plants installed in it.

While I got the planted pots in the car’s boot, my mother and wife bargained tenaciously to save as much as they can. I never muddle up in such negotiations, not because I don’t support it, but I am awkwardly weak in this area. I knew that both of them would never step back in saving their money if the opportunity presented. So, I consciously left the scene and let the ladies do the talking.

My son and I waited for them in the car. They looked happy while walking towards the car. Their chatter continued as they triumphantly spoke about the discount that they were able to coax out of the owner. As I drove, I was curiously thinking about the next step. The plans began to formulate. I had keenly listened to the helper’s instruction and thereby resolved to take better care of my new family members.

Days passed and it has approximately been 8-9 months. Fortunately, all the plants that I bought then are doing extremely well. My wife and I are taking great care. We had been watering them as instructed. The plants have grown much bigger now. My wife, as a part of prayers and rituals, offers Rosemallows and Rose subsequently to Almighty.

I feel that they soon would require bigger pots. I am not sure how long I can continue with the same one. It has also been quite a while that I visited to that nursery. I think the time has come for another visit. During this visit, I shall check about other plants as well. Especially, about the ones that we can grow vegetables given the premise we have.