Plant craze

 There used to be a few 'nurseries' (or more like plant wholesalers) near my home where I go to get potted plants and garden supplies. Recently they were all evicted as the huge plot of land is earmarked for housing development. One of the 'nurseries' rented a shop space that used to house a bank. When it opened its door I was awed because it was a far cry from the sprawling damp and dirt tracked shop it once was. Instead the decor of the new outfit was quite avant garde with arrangement of plants in stylish pots that provide creative ideas to decorate your garden and home. Needless to say the pricing has also gone upmarket although they also brought in many new varieties.

Today's BT features the rise of 'boutique plant retailers' with the introductory paragraph "The latest must have item for the home isn't iconic designer furniture, but potted plants....Instead of spending money on new bags and shoes, shopping for plants has become the latest fashion accessory". Haha I laughed to myself , for once I can be considered cool and in vogue because I have a whole garden of potted plants. However when I read on and learnt that someone paid $40,000 for a "rare and exotic Philodendron Spiritus Sancti" I realise they are talking about another customer league altogether. I always think people who buy bags costing thousands are nuts but a single plant costing tens of thousands is madness. What if the plant dies after a few days?

Curious I google to see how exotic the plant is.

  Oh my. This $42K?

OK maybe this is a much better version. 

Apparently a new plant craze is raging led by 'plantfluencers' showcasing their rare plant collections and millennial collectors forging 'emotional connections to their plants going as far as naming them'.

Doesn't this again tie in with the millennials' pursuit to be unique and extraordinary and to stand out. What a hype. 

As someone puts it "A gardener learns more in the mistakes than in the successes". How many thousands of dollars will these new breed of gardeners have to splurge? As for me nothing is more satisfying than propagating new plants from old and being surprised when with patient nurturing, a half withered plant springs back to life. That is the true emotional bond.

My perspective from my window

 Came across an article in Rice where the writer asked 10 people to share a view from a window they often look out of and what's on their mind since the introduction of Phase 2 restrictions. Apart from sharing how they pass time indoors many expressed anxieties and disappointment especially when things were beginning to look good prior to that. There is longing for home visits (for foreigners trapped here) and missing out on socialising with friends. Amidst all these you can sense a tinge of resignation with not knowing when there will be another flare up and when life can resume some normality. There is a lot of inner reflection too. 

For me I am blessed with a view that looks at my mango tree from the dining table where I usually work or do my reading. We planted this tree 2 decades ago and I have never treasured it more than the past year when cooped up at home. Nowadays when I read the newspaper with page after page of endless tragedies (Covid catastrophe in India, political violence in Myanmar and Palestine and destruction of animal life and nature from raging climate change) heaviness sets in the heart inevitably. For relief I look up at my mango tree, its refreshing green leaves spreading out from a solid brown trunk. It radiates an ambience of stability, a sense of  "suchness". 

With volunteer work and fitness classes all suspended and self isolation from hairdresser, facial/body masseur, weekly routine seems to evolve around household chores which makes them seem more monotonous and tedious. When boredom and listlessness set in, the mind reflects on life's purpose. 

In normal times, working with children and travelling add sparks to life and excite my senses. Now I ask myself while looking at the tree, 'Is life only worth living when one's senses are filled ?' 'How then will one live when age catches up, restricting physical activities and confining one to live with oneself most of the time?'

I do not yet know their answers. I go out and touch the tree, resting both hands on the trunk for awhile. Its quiet assurance gives me hope one day I will find the way.