I was exploring the lush world of plant parenthood, where every sprout whispers greenery and every leaf blooms with life, was a journey that transformed my world.
When uncertainties shadowed my life, my kids gave me happiness to cherish. I became a plant mom, fulfilling their needs, nourishing them with care, and satisfying them to beautify my house.
But things were worse sometimes! I made them cry unintentionally; some left me forever, while some got into trauma, never to recover!
Here’s my journey of becoming a plant parent: reverberating the good, grieving over the bad, and regretting the worst.
Plants have fascinated me since childhood. As a tiny girl, I loved to throw some leftover soulful seeds of fruits, veggies, and spices into my backyard. With utter surprise, this turned into tiny samplings of adults with little to no care.
Taking responsibility for being a kid isn’t easy, right? But one fine day, I found some random flowering plants wilting due to excessive heat. I ran to grab a bucket of water, and the next day, they were blooming happy. That essence of empathy triggered a gush to get one step closer to the intricate lives of the plants.
With time, I collected seeds, became a twig-thief of neighbours, and gave them a new life in my garden. Slowly, my single baby multiplied into hundreds.
I craved seeing my little kids turn into young saplings, followed by wiggling, bushy adults. They became an integral part of my life, brushing up my tired day, giving me a vibe of greenness, and producing a shower of fresh air.
But time doesn’t remain constant! At times, I acted like a serial killer, leaving my babies in scorching heat, and some went away without uttering a word! It feels so sad! This incident occurred when we went on a vacation without any secondary caretaker. When I returned, my heart churned around to see their condition. Again, many times, I had drowned them in water.
Some other times, I allowed the monstrous mill bugs and caterpillars to attack my plants. Uh! That was again a dark period where some of my kids sought goodbye!
Here Are Some Lessons I Learned Being a Plant Parent:
- Water is an essential part of plants; however, quantity matters! Don’t go under or other water. I learned a “two-inch finger dip technique.” Dip the finger in the soil; plants don’t need water if the finger comes out wet! If not, they need.
- While on a short vacation, place the plants in shade with watering alternatives. But if the vacation is extended, leave a person to make them happy.
- Avoid the plants from pests and insects. This can ruin the plants if not treated properly.
- When seeds are sown, tiny saplings emerge in a few days. To protect them from birds, they are covered with tiny paper cones.
- Plants need food, too; organic kitchen waste composting is the most efficient compost plants can get.
So yes, I have had the good, bad, and ugliest experiences as a plant parent! But with time, I have learned to make them bloom in my garden with flowers, fruits, and veggies and have never looked back.
So, what’s your story of being a plant parent?
Happy gardening!
Last Updated on by Anoushka