My ramblings

15.2.2021

 

For the  past few postings  on my ig, I  have been reminiscing on past events. I focused on the plants around the house. Their history . I think I have covered most of them, the Tongkat Ali tree(Eurycoma longifolia) The Jambu Mawar tree (Syzygium jambos) , the Curry leaves tree  (Murraya koenigii) and the Pokok Mengkudu tree (morinda citrifolia)

There were a few other trees that my husband planted when we first moved into the house back in 1984, but they were cleared when we did major renovations on the house. The mango tree , the spot is now taken over by the Jambu Mawar tree. Well it had the same history as the jambu mawar tree. No fruiting but plenty of leaves! We tried to apply some of the tips given to us by the experts in gardening but the tree stood on its own ground, ie. no fruiting none so ever! When the Jambu mawar tree was acting up,my BIL recommended using leftovers of rice from the cooking pot. Everytime we cooked rice, there will be crust of rice at the bottom of the pot. To clean the pot, we would soak the rice pot in water to soften the crust. And we would then pour that remaining bits of rice  on the soils around the tree. And yes, the trees started to grow , new branches started to sprout, plenty of green leaves then covered those branches. The curry plant next to the jambu mawar tree also flourish! And soon my curry plant became the target of this one particular person who would come  to literally snap a few fresh branches! He would do this everytime there were fresh branches to replace the lost ones. 

 

But soon another hazard came into place. The rice scattered on the grounds invited rodents ! They came in droves. There was plenty of  rice to feed a whole army of them! And utimately they not only came for the rice offerings but soon to venture into the house! And before we knew it, we were faced with a problem on how to eliminate this pests! Ultimately my husband thought the best solution was to stop feeding them and the plants with the leftovers. And that affected the plants especially the curry leaves plants.The leaves are not so ‘healthy’ as before. Currently, we are back to using organic manure which my BIL (lots of positive testimonials on this manure). So we will take it from there.

 

I am still waiting for the day that the jambu mawar tree will start serious fruiting. The tree has started to flower in abundance, but once the fruits started to form, the fruiting  process stopped halfway, stunted and soon the small green fruits fall off! To be honest, I was not too concerned back then, those working days. I was too busy concentrating on my career! But now that I am a pensioner and with the current restricted movement, I am more focused on things around the house. And lol and behold! Gardening is now my new favourite pastime , a husband and wife favorite pastime actually!  Gotta keep the  body and mind healthy. With the partial lockdown this the best option and routine to keep the body and mind healthy. 

 

I am trying my best to create healthy habits and not restrictions. To try to reach that balance and harmory between body, mind and spirit. In short, wellness.

When you face difficult times, know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They’re sent to promote,increase and strenghten you. 

Insha Allah, we will get through this together.

 

                                                                 Pokok daun curry( Murraya koenigii)

Pokok Jambu Mawar( Syzgium jambos)