Flowers from my dad's garden (Part 1)
Deta (my father) has an undying passion for gardening and he goes to great lengths for his precious plants, both flowering and non-flowering. He is happiest when he is in his garden. There have been so many occasions when he is back from office in a foul mood and blasted us for no reason. The next instant, we would hear him humming some old Mohammed Rafi tunes in the garden, singing for his beloved plants and flowers, while we would be fretting and fuming inside. He would come back to the house, forgetful of the fact that only a few minutes back he had yelled at us. Maybe gardening worked as a soothing therapy for his frayed nerves! (And what about ours, you may ask.)
I was going through my personal folders and found these pictures of orchids that we had clicked on our visit to Guwahati home this January (2013). Unfortunately, as much as Deta is into gardening, sis and I are that much ignorant of the whole thing. We have no idea about the names of the orchids or other plants, although I am aware of some generic terms. Deta has this habit of telling an amazingly long botanical name if you ask him about a plant. Generally, a conversation goes somewhat like this:
Random Guest: Oh! Such lovely flowers you got! What is the name of this pink one?
Deta: This one is hicusficus hilipilicati (that’s what it sounds like most of the times)
Random Guest: Oh! I see…. (and promptly forgets whatever he/she had heard)
It would have been much simpler to tell that person that the flower’s popular name was Camellia (for instance).
One summer, when I had come home from Delhi after the exams, sis asked me quietly, “Noticed any change in our garden? Especially the trees?” I looked around and saw that every tree, big and small, in our garden had orchids tied onto them! Deta was carrying out experiments, it seems. But still, it was hilarious to see orchids tied to a scrawny guava tree!
Anyway, let me share with you a few pictures from his garden. There are loads of pictures but maybe these will do for today.
That's a great going. Your dad seems to love his plants the way he loves you and your sis. Those chrysanthemums are great, and so are the orchids.
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Thank you so much, but I wish we had embibed some of his gardening skills as well. Maybe it's not too late yet!
DeleteNice garden, beautiful flowers and great shots...
ReplyDeleteAjeeth boaz
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Thank you :)
DeleteSuperb photos. I wish if I could visit the garden and take lots of photos of lovely flowers. TY for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Paresh! We visit our dad's house only once a year now...miss the garden a lot..
Deletewow! the captures indicate how lovingly they have been nurtured to look their very best .. worth all the praises- ur dads garden :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! My dad is mad about his garden, he can forget everything but not his plants. In fact, even if he reaches home in the middle of the night he will water his plants. Uff!
DeleteWow lovely photos...all the plants look so healthy and beautiful.. Would love to get some gardening tips from your father!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aditi! So you love gardening, too?
DeleteI have grown up seeing both my grandparents do it...but I've just started... Though don't have much space in my balcony. Last month I had some beautiful lilies and I've recently planted hibiscus and coriander... Waiting for results!! :)
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