The weather is perfect for a stem to survive
As you know from my previous updates, my success rate with planting stems is very high - almost a hundred percent. The only critical thing that needs to be taken care of is providing them with a cool, chilled environment to survive initially. Once they manage to survive the initial period, they start growing roots; that is exactly how stem cuttings work, right? So, as I mentioned in my last post, I decided to make the most of this severe rainy weather, utilizing the drop in temperature to pot a few fresh stems that will hopefully grow into thriving plants. I cut these stems from some established plants in our housing society that have the potential to grow quite large. This is aligned with my next year strategy of filling the garden with perennial, all-season plants so we can have a steady supply of flowers to offer to God. Of course, these perennials won't flower during the winter, so we will still need to rely on seasonal winter blooms. But hey, winter anyway only lasts for two to three months nowadays! Having plants that can provide flowers for the remaining nine to ten months of the year is a massive advantage.
This one is a rescued plant right in my garden ( someone abandoned) , so put few stems of this as well.
Cut and put some inca stems as well - if they survive then they can be helpful for Winter.
And these chrysanthemum saplings are finally ready for transplanting, and they look incredibly fresh, cute, and full of life. I actually potted them just before my trip to Kochi, and seeing how beautifully they have thrived since then, is a wonderful surprise. These saplings cost 30 rupees each (based on last year price) in the local nursery, but honestly, you really can't find saplings this healthy and robust anywhere else. Since they have grown so well, my plan is to select a couple of the best ones for my garden and then donate the remaining ones to our housing society, so everyone can enjoy them. To add a bit more variety and brightness to the setup, I am also planning to pick up a few more chrysanthemum saplings in different vibrant colors to mix in with these.
As these plants grow bigger and their root systems establish, they won't require frequent watering. I am even thinking about installing a drip irrigation system to automate the process. Since I frequently travel between my native place and this home, automation is crucial. It ensures that no one else has to worry about watering them while I am away. Especially now that my son has moved out for his studies, I have a lot more responsibilities to manage on my own. Transitioning to larger, hardier plants may make garden maintenance much easier - at least that's what I think.
However, not everything has been smooth sailing. The recent SO CALLED mini-cyclone, Arnab, brought its fair share of damage. Lately, we have been noticing a strange weather pattern where the winds become incredibly powerful after the main cyclone passes. This time, the tail-end winds were strong enough to strip the leaves right off some of our plants, which proves it was no small storm.
Compare this to the above photo, you can easily make out. Hopefully, things will completely settle down in a day or two, and we will be right back to our usual routine.
And now some bad news, there is still no sign of life in the seedling tray. I have kept them indoors, safely covered with a sheet to trap the moisture and encourage germination. Despite my best efforts, nothing has sprouted after four days. Fingers crossed, but I am well-acquainted with gardening failures! If these don't work out, I will simply bring some saplings from the nursery, as said in my last post. Gardening is all about patience and adapting to nature.
Next week, I am taking a short break to visit my native place and hit the pause button for a while. Once I return, it will be non-stop activity to get everything ready in time for the fast-approaching winter season, but that's just part of my plan. As a gardener, you must learn to leave room for the unexpected, because you truly never know what surprises nature has in store for us.
Shot with Samsung S25 Ultra
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