Gardening has a way of teaching us valuable life lessons. It’s a journey of nurturing, patience, and resilience, and it’s a journey that I embarked on when I acquired a small pot of Prosperity Flower about eight years ago from a fund-raising event at my church. This unassuming plant, with its vibrant pink flowers, has been a symbol of hope and perseverance in my life.
I remember the day I brought my Prosperity Flower home from church. It was Cass who chose the plant among all the plants and items on sale that morning. It was a modest acquisition, a tiny plant with just a handful of leaves and, notably, no flowers. But it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Over the years, it graced Cass and me with stunning pink blossoms that never failed to bring joy to our hearts.
As with any journey, there were hurdles to overcome. My beloved Prosperity Flower began to show signs of distress. Its leaves started to curl inwards, wither, and eventually drop. The plant was fighting an unidentified disease, and my heart ached each time I witnessed its struggle. My MIL took drastic measures, pruning the plant until only a small branch remained. She also initiated a transplant to another pot, hoping to save what was left.
Throughout the pandemic, the plant was very ill with leaves that would grow and then sadly curled inwards and withered. She stopped bearing her vibrant pink flowers. She mirrored the challenges and uncertainties we all faced during those difficult times. It was as if my beloved Prosperity Flower felt our struggles and pain.
But then came a turning point. One day, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I added organic fertilizer to all my potted plants and herbs on the condo balcony, including the beleaguered Prosperity Flower. I meticulously fed my green companions with kitchen scraps like fruit peels, tea leaves, rice water, and eggshells. I also upped the watering frequency to two or three times a day.
And then, the magic happened. My plant started to grow more leaves and the disease seemed to have been healed. The leaves no longer turn inward and wither. The organic fertilizer resuscitated the Prosperity Flower and other plants that were lacklustre.
A week ago, I noticed tiny flower buds beginning to sprout on the Prosperity Flower. My heart danced with excitement. Cass was excited too. Today, those buds blossomed into vibrant pink flowers once more. It was a moment of triumph, not just for my little plant, but for me as a new gardener.
I almost gave up on my Prosperity Flower when all that was left was just a short trunk and a branch no longer than 10cm with no leaves, no flowers and devoid of life. Luckily I gave her a second chance to prove herself.
Not only did my Prosperity Flower resurrect after I fed it with organic fertilizer, all the other plants that I fed fertilizer with suddenly grew beautifully. The pandan plant gifted to us by my mil’s friend doubled up in size with beautiful green aromatic leaves. I was elated. I have really underestimated what the food of life aka fertilizer can do to plants.
My journey with the Prosperity Flower has shown me that plants, like humans, require tender loving care, nourishment, and consistent support. They respond to our efforts and thrive when we are diligent in tending to their needs. It’s an allegory for life itself, where resilience and nurturing can lead to beautiful outcomes.
As I watch the baby pink blossoms each time I walk into my balcony, I’m reminded that life is filled with ups and downs. Just as the Prosperity Flower rebounds from adversity and an almost hopeless state of salvation, so can we. I’ve also discovered that I’m developing a newfound passion for gardening. The wish for a larger balcony to cultivate more edible plants, and vibrant flowers is now on my mind 🥀 🌺🎍 🪴
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