My excitement knew no bounds when I spotted the first
bud on my hibiscus plant, and it was sheer joy that I felt when, a few days
ago, I woke up to the beauty of a white hibiscus in full bloom. It’s been
about 6 years since I became a plant parent, and I am enjoying every moment
of the journey. My heart skips a beat every time I see a tiny new leaf or a plant I'd
given up bloom again. There is no destination here—it’s simply a
process of learning, planting, enjoying, and growing.
Growing up, I watched my mother tend to her potted
garden with so much love and care. It was her little world. Yes, I liked
looking at pretty flowers, but I never took much interest in the gardening
process. Mom retained her love for gardening until she passed away.
I was well into my fifties when I felt a stirring as I
looked at pictures of the most beautiful gardens, plants, and flowers posted by
friends and folk on social media. Friends encouraged me to give it a shot.
“Growing plants is therapeutic.” “Getting your hands dirty helps your health.”
Slowly but surely, I took the plunge – I was eager to
grow flowering plants but did not know the first thing about how to grow them.
Hence, I started with a few crotons and succulents and added a few easy-to-grow
flowering plants like hibiscus.
Some thrived and some died, but my enthusiasm began
to grow by leaps and bounds. Even to this day, I do not know the nitty-gritty
of gardening and rely on YouTube videos and tips and tricks from friends.
Currently, I’m a proud plant parent to a money plant, syngonium, jade, hibiscus, peace lily, Monstera deliciosa, and a coleus, or flame nettle.
There is something so satisfying and joyous in
watching your plants grow, and so sad when they wilt away. I even feel a twinge
of guilt when I have to trim them.
I don’t have many gardening tools, and my go-to plant
tonic is soaked vegetable and fruit peelings, a kind of rudimentary compost (especially onion skins), and my plants are doing well.
I believe my plants are quietly teaching me patience, the joy of nurturing and consistency, staying firmly rooted, and learning to bloom wherever you're planted. I grow as I watch them grow.
What is your gardening journey like? Do you have a favourite plant or memory from your own garden?
This prompt is part of the weekly Blogchatter blogprompt challenge.
Plants are therapeutic and there is nothing like the joy of seeing the first flower bloom. I feel that patience is the one main quality that you learn when you turn into a plant mother. The beauty of Mother Nature ejo teaches you lessons in survival!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Deepti, and for your insights on the post.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you on becoming a plant parent.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by Geethica.
ReplyDeleteI am not so much into gardening. A few plants on our balcony are taken care of by my wife. But I do love plants. It's nice to have them around and seeing them grow is quite delightful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on the post. It's nice to know that you, too like plants.
DeleteCongrats on winning the trophy in the blog hop.
ReplyDeleteI'm a lover of plants too. I nurture a garden around my house. Not much. But plenty of colours. And some vegetables too.