Most people grow their plants on the terrace, balcony or indoors. But Asoke Dalui can lay claim to even the lofty trees on the boulevard outside his EE Block home. He planted those trees and still looks after them. The stairway leading to his apartment too has soothing shades of green in several pots and Money Plants adorn his walls and even curtain rods indoors.
When I moved to Salt Lake in 2002, the first thing I did was to pour six sacks of soil in the boulevard outside as well on either side of the roads. Back then, the place was simply covered with rubbish but I planted Krishnachura, Radhachura, Eucalyptus, Saptaparni etc. I wanted to bring some shade to our streets and today, despite the no-parking sign, app cab drivers seek respite under these trees on hot afternoons.
In the backyard, a beautiful Birds of Paradise plant blooms, as do fruit trees like Chiku, Gondhoraj Lebu, Pati Lebu, Bel and Amloki. The Batabi Lebu tree yields some fruits each season too, but we never get to relish them, thanks to the slippery fingers of passersby.
I have some Lemongrass plants and add their leaves to my tea. Not only does it taste good but it also protects from the common cold. Indoors I have potted Rubber trees, Crotons, different varieties of Money Plants and Snake Plants. I’ve always had these but during the pandemic I learnt that they produce a lot of oxygen, thereby justifying my hobby even more.
The terrace has Cherry, Rangans and some beautiful cacti that I got from Durgapur. My grandson’s favourite animals are the tortoise and elephant so when they had come over during the Pujas last year I got some pots shaped like these animals and put plants in them.
The trees in the boulevard have withstood even cyclones like Amphan. I believe this is because of the strong foundation I’ve given them with the soil. I’ve fenced the boulevard with bamboo but I’m growing Kamini plants around them hoping that they grow into a natural boundary wall.
I’ve also devised a way to water the plants in the boulevard. I’ve attached a hosepipe from my third floor veranda that crosses the street outside overhead and reaches the divider. I’ve appointed a chap there to take the other end of the pipe and spray the plants while I sip tea in my balcony and watch the plants getting showered.
⚫ If you have a garden you tend to yourself, send your address and contact number to The Telegraph Salt Lake, 6, Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta 700001 or email to saltlake@abp.in