The Verdant Veranda

The collection of green potted plants along with other vibrant and exotic flowers is the lifeline of tea memsahabs. A tradition started way back in the '80s, the flower show continues to this day and the ladies keenly display all their ferns, foliage and cut flowers with immense pride and enthusiasm. Of course, the momentos and prizes (for the rarest of the rare plants or the best brought up) are a cherry on top of the pleasure that comes from bringing up these plants with tender care and love. The maalis too, with their green thumb, play an important role in their upbringing.

Just a few months into my adventure with tea, my husband had often pointed out to the verdant potted plants flaunted in the verandah of the other bungalows and I felt as if he was mocking my baby plants. So I too dived into this competition and went on this spree of collecting exquisite potted plants and soon developed it as a keen hobby. Though there was always a tussle between me and my husband for acquiring this swath of greens, I emerged victorious most of the times. A few years later I could gloat about my eagle Boston ferns, philodendrons, Erica palms, asparagus, coleus and many ornamental house plants. I even had a collection of many begonias like Richmond begonia which could make anyone feel renewed with energy. Now and then with a smug smile on my face, I would admire my plants.

One winter afternoon the tea tasting lunch was to be hosted in our bungalow. Each one of us including the bungalow staff was on their toes polishing, dusting and setting the crockeries and cutleries. The starched napkins were placed and alongside them the floral arrangements placed strategically so that they would not miss anyone's eye. The potted ferns, palms and the greens were also placed in the corners after the pots were coated with red oxide. Making the most of the lovely winter sun, the lunch was served alfresco, overlooking the lush green manicured lawn which was bordered with thick Chinese bamboo hedges typical of most of the northeastern tea estates. The eyes would also meet the colourful winter flowers, bed of regal roses and tall and shady trees growing abundantly along the compound.

The planters gathered around the semicircular pinewood bar set in the veranda of the sprawling bungalow. They were enjoying their vodkas and bitters, gin and tonic & fresh lime and soda. My husband and I had taken keen interest to do up the bar before the guests had arrived. In each corner of the bar in a shining well-polished bowl we had proudly displayed a rare and exotic table plant. Both of us had stepped away from the bar, hawk-eyed admired the plant- happy that we had paid an exorbitant price for this rare collection. So much so that even the marketing head from the Head office was admiring it. My husband offered him the same plant stating that we could always procure it from the flea market in Siliguri again.

On hearing this, the senior manager of another estate walked into the area of the bar and burst out laughing. Everyone stared at him in stunned silence, that's when he enlightened us about this so-called rare plant. He told us that this is a type of bamboo and the displayed portion is its stem. Each and every labour house of the tea estates were fenced with this bamboo hedge. That's when the bearer of the bungalow walked in with a pail of ice cubes and added that not only his house but his neighbours' houses too have been fenced with this bamboo.

Haahaa! So much for me and my collection of rarest of the rare plants. Red-faced and abashed I intently listened and discovered that this is called Dracaena. It's a household plant that s easy to care for and grows well in indirect sunlight. The lucky bamboo is one of the most popular feung-shui cures. It is also said to bring good luck and prosperity. The bamboo is the perfect combination of strength and flexibility. It is also known to enhance the flow of positive energy in home and office when placed in the eastern corner of the house.

For me, my dream turned to reality when I saw my collection growing plant by plant, rare or not.