I’m hoping they will grow bigger with the purest (rain) water acting as a catalyst....
PLANT TALK
Monsoon season is the time I’ve been waiting for the whole year and, probably my plants, too. My preparations started just before the rains did.
I repot my plants either during the spring or the monsoon. So, I began with repotting my crotons and rubber plant, as I had been noticing only a negligible growth in both these plants. This was a clear sign that their roots needed more room. Now that they have a bigger home, I’m hoping they will grow bigger with the purest (rain) water acting as a catalyst.
Another task that I did only this month was to take cuttings from the spider plant, coleus and periwinkle and put them in small pots for the sake of propagation. I do most of the propagation in this season, because the chances for the new plants to thrive are almost one hundred percent. On the other hand, cacti and succulents are best propagated during dry seasons.
Then, there is the sweet potato vine (light green and purple) climbing on the walls that I so desperately want to cover. I think that’s the best solution to hide those scrappy walls, whose paint never stops peeling off. I wonder why it didn’t occur to me earlier. Now, all I got to do is to put cuttings of sweet potato vine in the soil at intervals, along the walls. Once the roots are established, these vines are going to spread like a wild fire and I’ll be jumping for joy seeing my dual-coloured living walls!
Another creative addition to my garden landscape has been inspired by the videos that I watch on the YouTube. I took a branch from my mango tree and fixed it horizontally in a corner; its ends rest on the two adjacent boundary walls. This has provided me with a place where I can hang my String of Hearts, Wandering Jew and Ferns. I’m sure my plants are going to feel great in this corner, showing off their stunning foliage.
Last but not the least, I fertilized my plants with the powdered eggshells that I had been collecting for quite a few months. This enriches the soil with calcium and potassium, thus strengthening the roots of plants. After all, healthy roots are essential for healthy plants.
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Done with all that pre-monsoon gardening chores, here I sit with my plants, getting soaked in the heavenly shower. In my heart, I know that Mother Nature has waved her magic wand —time for my soul to rejuvenate and my plants to turn over a new leaf.
