My Purple Passion !

I had been dreaming of a small pond filled with lotus flowers in my garden. Whenever I got a ground floor house I tried to create a small water body having lilies and other water plants along with some hydra greens. It didn’t happened in last station since it used to rain a lot over there. Moreover temperatures were not suitable for water gardening.

Seasons and soils play major role in gardening. Fortunately my dream is shaping up. Slowly and beautifully.

I am so happy ! Thanks to the present city and current season that finally I am a proud owner of my small ( very small ) pool with purple lotus floating in it !

Yes, purple lotus ! I am so grateful to the gardener of “Chitvan Jungle Lodge” for making my dream come true. How?

Last year during my Kanha National Park trip we stayed in Chitvan Jungle Lodge.(one of the finest resorts of Kanha National Park, Madya Pradesh) There was a big man made water pool at the entrance on which small wooden bridge was made to connect the road and the entrance of reception area of the resort, While my husband was busy tying up for morning safari with the manager of the resort I stood on the bridge and kept on admiring gorgeous blooms in the pond.

In the meanwhile the gardener came there and started telling me about this rare variety of lotus. I don’t know how he guessed that I wanted those flowers. He went away and I started clicking photos.

It was our third and final day of safari and we were leaving after having lunch. While we were packing our stuff he came to us holding a polythene bag. He placed it on the table. I took the bag to check the stuff inside it. I was so surprised to find the saplings of purple lotus , neatly packed for us to take home. He said that it won’t go bad for another three days. I just had to remove the polythene sheet and plant it in a big vessel filled with half water and half sand mixture. He gave few more instructions on how to take care of water plants.

We were so touched by his gesture that inspite of having my inhibitions, I took that packet and thanked him for such a beautiful return gift. I came home and took a flat earthen pot and planted it carefully.

My husband, Tarun got a small rectangular pool made in the garden. We transferred the saplings in the pool. Tarun, kids including my house help, maid had their doubts about it but they were taking care, monitoring and watering it regularly. Leaves became bigger.

In three weeks the results were showing and we could see the water body filling up with new leaves.. Voila ! There were some more buds floating !

And here came the first and most special lotus !

Absolutely stunning ! It brought smiles to our faces and happiness to our hearts. We as a family could feel a sense of achievement. Our efforts and constant monitoring had paid off finally.

My water plants were expanding so fast that soon the rectangular space seemed less. We had to take an early action. I selected another space in my garden and called the mason to dig deeper and broader. Tarun suggested circle and I wanted an oval pool.

I am the queen of my house so it had to be an oval ! The bigger ( oval ) pool was ready to fill in the water ! Where was the delay ?

One more shifting was required and now it looks like this. We have to do the finishing touch. I think some white round pebbles will look good around the boundary, no?  Can you suggest something else to make it an eye appealing feature ? 

The blooms are going to be like this in summers and monsoon. I am not sure about winters. Let winters arrive. I will check on net. Any advice on lotus care in different seasons is most welcome. Presently enjoying the much awaited monsoon. Rains…..

In response to Serendipitous Photo Prompt 2015- 9