The Orange Hibiscus

Last year, on the World Environment Day, we brought home an orange hibiscus plant. This plant was actually on display at the 'mini' plant exhibition held at the office,celebrating the day.It was on full bloom and naturally, caught my attention and that's how it landed in our home. We started petting it from the moment we brought it home - watered it dutifully,fed it manure once a month & even patted it now and then!

Over time, slowly, my petting came down and eventually, I forgot even that this plant existed! After a period of such 'hibernation', I was jolted back to reality when one day I discovered the plant in a very pitiful state, with just a few leaves left on it. I knew I had to do something - anything to save my plant. First thing that came to the mind was insecticide! I knew I had 'some' insecticide which I bought 'some'time back, which was meant to kill 'some' kind of insects. At that moment, these 'some's din't matter. All I wanted was an (any) insecticide. So I brought the bottle out and quickly sprayed a generous amount. That, I thought, would rid the bug that was feeding on my plant.

I went back to my religious routine of petting/watering. But, to my disappointment, the plant showed no improvement. Over the next couple of weeks, it withered further and lost a few more leaves. I knew the insecticide dint work. I heard loud sirens ringing in my head. I had to act and act fast. That's when I took out my laptop and started reading extensively about this plant and the possible pests that can attack it. After a few hours of research, I could finally nail down the nasty culprit. I learnt it was a mealy bug attack & from the condition my plant was in, quite a severe one! I read all I could about the damn mealy bug, homemade remedies to get rid of it and lastly the proper pesticides that can be used. My mission was to save the plant at any cost. I started acting on the bug with a vengeance - left no stone unturned. After a few weeks of battle, the bug finally gave in. I could get rid of it completely!

A couple of days later, my plant started leafing again..voila! Though the recovery process is slow, the plant is definitely coming back to life. This World Environment Day, as a token of its spirit to survive, the plant bore two tiny buds.

The experience totally revived my long lost love for plants. I am now more aware and sensitive to plant needs - they are living beings too! Thanks to my orange hibiscus, I now have learnt how to pot and take care of young plants.
One would definitely find more plants at our home now, than ever before.




I also started looking at Environment day as a thanks-giving day to the nature & try to do whatever little I can to protect & nurture it.

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