Orchids and Meals

I was fascinated by Orchids.

My obscession was on Wesak Orchid. 

I propagated it for over 35 years and it's actual age is over 55 years. It was propagated when I was living abroad by my elderly relative who is almost blind now. 

15 year gap was my stay outside of Ceylon.

My relative gave me, bulk of the remaining orchids, saying with poor eyesight he could not care for them. 

I guessed his poor eyesight was a direct result of medical misadventure. I have heard many similar accidents and I am prudent enough not to probe into his individual incident. 

Damage is already done and it is painful to probe such incidents.

It is not fate but facts hidden by the medical fraternity.

Coming back to Orchids, Google AI is a poor academic source for study of botany.

Anthurium is not a type orchid to begin with. It is not an epiphyte to begin with. 

It's flower is nowhere near a real flower.

The modified leaf is attractive but not a flower. 

Flowers are arranged in a specific pattern. Orchids are known for their attractive flowers.

However, anthuriums need similar growth requirements and thrive where orchids are grown.

In actual fact, I HATE all anthuriums.

1. Orchids are epiphyes.

They grow on other plants but not as a parasite. 

Good example of parasitic plant is පිළිල. Parasitic plant derive nutrients from the host plant and almost kill the host. Crows carry the seeds of පිළිල.

2. Orchids grow under shade. 

They derive water and nutrients from the atmosphere.

3. They need lot of humidity.

4. Cocoa Plant is the best tree to support orchids. Cocoa plant needs lot of water.

The secret of cocoa plant is they harbour black ants in their roots. These ants help the growth of orchids. Additionaly, if you have nasty red ants, they decimate them in 3 months. 

So, if you have tiny black ants help them survive.

Mind you, soldier black ant's stinge is as painful as කඩියා stinge.

5. I accidentally found a rotten cocoa fruit in Mavanella on our way back from Colombo.

Only two seeds grew to robust pot plants, the rest of the seeds did not germinate.

I had a lovely collection of orchids including Kandyan Dancers whuch, I got from Peradeniya Botanical Garden.

All of them bloomed except the Wesak Orchid.

My reason, for Wesak Orchid not blooming is global warming.

6. I was all alone for three months and I neglected our rooftop garden and both cocoa plants wilt away killing most of my orchids. 

I quickly dished them out to plant lovers.

7. Two years in Australia, I guess nothing left in the rooftop garden without watering.

8. Water is the most important ingredient.

9. By the way, I never used Coca Cola in my gardening but drank a lot of them during the dry season. 

I use coco cola as a toilet cleaner.

10. I would never tell you my secret compositer.

You are free to guess.

11. I never used rice as a fertilizer since majority of rice have arsenic in them. 

Please, do not listen to these Chinese guys and girls in the YouTube

12. Retirement is the best time for gardening. But since you are a pauper in Ceylon, in retirement make sure YOU collect all the items necessary for gardening, five years before retirement.

I befriended a Tamil vendor in Silverdale shopping complex and collected everthing I needed.

Silverdale is the place I went for an occasional meal and a drink.

Casamara outlet moved out of Colombo, Street. 

For Rs250/= I could give a good late lunch to all my staff without liqueur.

I think under NPP/JVP regime, one cannot get a "Bath Packet" under Rs. 350/= in the  "Punarudaya" time.