Friday, February 08, 2008
Back To BasicsBalsam is a permanent fixture in my garden. Irregardless of how many times I attempt another invasion to get more space for my CPs, they always return, and with a vengeance. You jut can't beat the dark side, sometimes. My mom's enthusiasm with them doesn't help either.
I first learnt about balsam, not during Science lessions in primary school. Rather, mom taught me to make a poultice out of balsam leaves for minor abrasions and wounds. Ah, training to be a (witch) doctor at such a tender age! In any case, I never thought I might like them one day. Which I did, as a matter of fact.
We went to Malaysia as usual for the festivities, and a single stand of balsam plants caught my eye. We all know the usual balsam hybrids - those with multiple petals and which come in red, purple, pink and white and everything in between. These plants though, are single-petalled. Can't quite explain it, but I just had to have them. About 200-300 seeds are now sitting in my room. Can't wait to sow them and have single-petalled balsam plants! I'm now starting to have dangerous ideas, as I guess Yx would have called them. What if I replaced every single hybrid plant I have in the garden with their original species, back to the basics? Wild rose (not that I have any), wild ixora, zinnia, marigold, gladiolus, amaryllis? Would be very interesting indeed, I guess.
Oh, and I found an aquatic Utricularia there which I have never seen before. Shall have to research into it.
The highlight of this trip had to be the 2-hour Thai massage I got. A masseuse (friend of my aunt) came over and honestly beat the living daylights out of me. She was GOOD. Like getting at problem areas I never knew were problematic (brushed off as little aches and pains) and I felt supple as a newborn child after those 2 hours. More is in order, I reckon. Age is catching up, huh?
Enjoy the hols, everyone!
Wenky
9:52 PM
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