Better A Late Bloomer than Never a Bloomer: My gardening journey

 

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. 

Flower Power

I have not had the Monday blues this week, instead, a deep purple has been the colour of the day. Two lovely deep purple Portulaca flowers greeted me this morning and set my heart aflutter. I bought the plant last week in Pune and carried it all the way to Mumbai. Luckily it survived the journey and now shows off its blossoms in all glory and splendour. The younger son who is quite a pro helped me transfer it from the little packet of mud that it travelled in to Mumbai to a medium-sized pot. 

My gardening skills are improving slowly but steadily. I do not have many gardening tools, in fact, I get by with just a broad blade knife at the moment.  I have learnt a little about mulching and watering and compost and manure. It is nothing but exciting to watch a plant sprout tiny leaves and then watch the leaves grow. You impatiently wait for a bud to open, checking on it every day and when it opens you are thrilled to bits.    There is

a pale peach  Hibiscus bud unfolding and a tiny orange rosebud that will add to the riot of colour in my balcony. The Periwinkle continues to thrive, the branches and flowers growing right outside the balcony.   A

plant bearing deep crimson flowers keeps the purple variety company now.

Age is just a number and here I am to prove the adage true. It is never too late to cultivate a hobby or pursue a passion. Just go with it and let it light

up your life...