The easiest excuse is to say you don’t have time. Sarmistha Sen Das admits that she could have spent much more time on her plants was she not running two organisations — one for artisans and one for the elderly. But her work, she says, is her passion and her plants her addiction. And so Sen Das happily manages the plants on her balconies and backyard, and is always looking to add to her collection.
When our co-operative building was getting built, I was tempted to etch out a patch of green in the backyard. So when the other residents welcomed the idea, I cleared it out, filled it with soil, treated the same with nutrients and now it is a sight for sore eyes.
I have 12 varieties each of Hibiscus and Roses. In winters I grow Pumpkin, Gourd, Pui Shak, Broccoli, Coriander, Cabbage… I have lovely little green plant, growing in a water container, called Water Cabbage, too. But these aren’t edible; they are simply called so as they look like cabbages. And now that I’ve tasted success with aquatic plants, I’m on the lookout for Water Lotuses.
In monsoon, people trim their plants and throw out the excesses so whenever I step out I’m looking around to add to my collection. New Town being a developing township, many houses are getting painted. Again, I have my eyes on the discarded empty paint cans so I can recycle them as flower pots.
I’ve cut up old 20l mineral water bottles too and planted large trees like Kamini, Kathchapa and Guava in them. I’m also attempting a Banyan bonsai in one such bottle.
Another plant I’m proud of is an ornamental Orange. I keep it in my balcony and, though the fruits are too sour to devour, there are some hanging from the branches even in this heat. But my balconies have no space left and I’m moving some plants to the back yard, especially those like Hibiscus that need lots of sunlight.
I pick up plants from wherever we travel to. My husband warns me that we’ll get stopped at the airport and I tell him I’ll happily gift them to the officials there if that ever happens. Lucky no such thing has happened so far and I can count succulents from Mirik and Passion Fruit from Ooty among my collection.
If you have a garden you tend to yourself, send your address and contact number to The Telegraph Salt Lake, 6, Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta 700001 or email to saltlake@abp.in
