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Burgeoning hobby

An avid gardener has hit upon a novel method to grow orchids

IN FULL BLOOM Orchids in Baburajan's garden

A thing of beauty is a joy forever/ Its loveliness increases....

This is exactly what one feels on seeing orchid blooms. Unlike most of the other flowers, orchids retain their freshness for almost an entire month. Once, growing orchids used to be the purview of the expert, but today it is within the reach of the layperson. And if you are a city dweller with just a small balcony or limited terrace area, so much the better in this particular endeavour.

Novel method

An orchid enthusiast recently hit upon a novel, environment friendly method of minimising cost and maximising flowering. Baburajan, a former deputy chief engineer of Kerala State Electricity Board, had been growing orchids in the tedious traditional manner in special pots with pieces of coconut husk, brick and coal to hold in moisture and nutrients.

"Ten years ago, it was Ravi, our neighbour, who introduced me to the world of orchids. He had many flowers in his garden and gradually I was also drawn by the beauty of the flowers," says Baburajan.

Dispelling the notion that it requires expertise to grow orchids, he says, "Orchids are something that grow naturally in our climate. They are hardy plants that do not need to be pampered. I learnt through a trial-and-error method." That his wife, Usha, is a botany professor may have also helped.

Initially, Baburajan stuck to the methods followed by most gardeners. The plants were positioned to receive 25 per cent diffused sunlight and toted up substantial bills in the form of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides and expenses in connection with frequent re-potting.

All that changed with the innovation he introduced, at first experimentally, and thereafter on a regular basis. As against 500 plants on a terrace area of 1,000 sq feet he now has four times the number of healthy plants. The modus operandi used is quite simple and cost effective.

Young orchid shoots are first tied on to pieces of coconut husk and exposed to rain and sun. At the end of six months these are then bound at different levels on to an old four-inch A.C. pipe and watered four times a day. Within a fortnight, the plant accepts the new medium and sends out new roots. Manure in the form of supernatant of cow dung or cow urine is sprayed weekly. A twice-daily watering schedule and direct sunlight are the secrets of the prolific flowering seen in the plants grown in this manner.

Different varieties of Dendrobium thrive in the hot and wet climate of Kerala. Excess of rainfall does not harm the plants in anyway since the young shoots have been subjected to a process of toughening. Varieties like Sonia 28, Sakurapink, Pramot, Rinappa, Nuwani, Tongai Gold and Emma white are hardy and, as the deeply coloured blooms are spectacular, are well suited for commercial cultivation.

Advantages

As against a cost of Rs. 20 for a plant, potting in this method costs a mere Rs. 3. The terrace stays clean and dry without any danger of leaks to the structure. Snails, enemy number one to the orchid grower, give this new-generation garden a wide berth as there is no space to hide from the fierce sunlight. The only hassle is fungus attack during the monsoon, which can be tackled with a minimal use of fungicides.

On a 500sq feet terrace area a maximum of two thousand plants can be grown. Return to investment is assured with the growing demand for these blooms and for young shoots. Baburajan says that he spends about two hours among the flowers. But that he says "are the happiest two hours."

(Baburajan can be contacted on 2300198)

SHANTHI RADHAKRISHNAN

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