Obsessed to gardening (PART I)
Gardening as hobby, leisure time activity and obsession
I love gardening! Since I was a child when I helped watering some of the pot-plants planted by my mother. People always used to tell me, I might possess “tangan sejuk”, directly translated as “cold hands”.You may nod agreeing to this typical expression which exists in a typical Malay community, Malaysian especially. Actually, it can be indirectly defined as, once or as you plant a plant, it will easily grow and grow and finally bloom.
On the contrary, I tend to always think, whatever you do, even planting, do it with knowledge. In parallel, with God’s will, then it will grow, InsyaAllah.
Since I got married to my beloved husband, my inner obsession to planting plants tremendously flourishing! With his great support, and also huge appreciation to my mother and father-in-law, for giving me the permission to take care of the plants that they have earlier like “bunga kertas”, the green plants and so on! I keep planting and seeking more and more information about any plants that I see.
Even now when I am in Germany, I am so glad that I have a small garden, which is actually not included in the house contract. However, I could not stand seeing the front small garden of the landlord’s not being taken care of. Therefore, since the beginning, I started to plant flowering plants like Geranium (Pelargonium), Hortensia (Hydrangea), Lavender and so on depending on the season.
This morning, actually, something just struck my mind! What if I grow some of the plants in Malaysia. One particular plant that I could easily see them through my apartment window is Hollyhock. At this time, it grows wildly in my small front garden, I assume, every summer, since I never plant it in the first place. Maybe, it was already planted by the previous tenant or the landlord of the apartment.
Image 1 : Hollyhock as scientific name is Alcea rosea.
Before I go back to Malaysia, I will InsyaAllah try to save some of the seeds and plant back home. I am not sure whether it will grow or not! But, no harm to try! Give it a try! For now, just try to seed them first!
Refer these websites for further information about the plant:
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Malvaceae/Alcea_rosea.html
http://plantsbulbs.suite101.com/article.cfm/hollyhock_alcea_plant_profile
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/perennials/14731
Referring to my quick readings from the internet, “Hollyhocks are perennials or biennials depending on your climate” and “Hollyhocks prefer rich, well-drained soil and full sun. Light shade is tolerated but wet winter soil is not” as preferred conditions. I could not wait to try planting them in Malaysia.
Anyway, see some of my collections of Hollyhock.
Image 2: A tall Holyhock which is nearly 3-meter tall before it went down facing the ground after a strong windy day in spring this year. Spot me through the flowers: camouflage!
Image 3: Traces of branches left which then became my house fresh flower decoration. Isn’t it great! Just taking fresh flowers from your own garden!
Friends and families, like I told you, truthfully, this is why gardening can be a huge and refreshing obsession! Anyone interested in joining me having gardening as hobby?
Care to join?
AMIZON
