Watering a passion

Orchids have fascinated people for long. Some people take to collecting and growing orchids as a hobby. Some find it therapeutic, while for the rest, it is serious business. Many say that growing orchids is like raising a child.

Most of the members of the Orchid Society of Karnataka are passionate about growing the plant. The members of the Society meet regularly and all the information they exchange and conversations revolve around orchids. SG Ramkumar, a businessman, finds it a rewarding process.

“It’s the flower of orchids that drew me to collecting them 15 years ago. Now, I have the rarest of orchids in my garden. Growing an orchid is like solving a puzzle,” he says. Sriram, a young professional, finds it a de-stressing affair and says that after a demanding work schedule, he finds the balm in his orchids. “It not only engages you in the most creative way, but also unravels the potential in you,” he says.

People also grow it within the limited spaces of their homes. “You don’t really need a large garden to grow orchids. “You need a large heart and the will to sustain it,” believe these orchid growers. Nageshwar, an employee with Tata Power, and a member, has been collecting and maintaining orchids for the last 28 years and has over 1,500 plants on the terrace. “My orchids have become prized exhibits as most of the people who come visiting us never leave without viewing them. When they ask me questions, I am more than happy to answer them all,” he says.

Growing orchids have a therapeutic value and has a meditative effect as well. Sanjeev wakes up at 5.30 in the morning to tend his orchids and spends quality time with them. “I always liked gardening and it is the rare flowers that attracted me to the cultivation of orchids,” he says. Rama, who runs a small-scale industry, says the hobby inculcates a sense of self discipline. “You can’t afford to relax when you are an orchid grower. These plants need the right amount of care and you can never have an excuse to not cater to them. Orchid growing also teaches you time management,” feels Rama. 

Agreeing with Rama, Sandhya Mahesh, another avid orchid grower, says she wasn’t interested in orchids until she saw her father-in -law spend considerable time and effort on them. “I now spend a lot of time watering my orchids and in some ways, it is therapeutic,” she explains.

The members of the group meet regularly and all their meetings are abuzz with infectious energy with each member waiting to share something new. Gayatri, another grower, says that it has been a great experience thus far.

“I have about 200 to 300 orchids and spend a lot of time trying to understand the requirements of orchid growing and readjust my work according to the requirements,” adds Gayatri.

The group has people from all walks of life but Dr Parvathi, a medical practitioner, says that she took to orchid growing only after she retired from active medicine.

 “My life revolves around orchids and everything to do with it. People may call it an “obsession” but I find it the most rewarding process,” says Parvathi. Orchids are expensive but orchid growers, like Nalini and Kalyanpur, call it a good investment.

 “I shop for orchids wherever I go and believe that it is a good investment. I sometimes, save up to buy these orchids,” she says. Kalyanpur, who was earlier in the Army, says, his transferrable job made it difficult for him to sustain his hobby. “But, I took to it seriously, only after I retired from the Armed Forces. My house is full of orchids and I don’t know how time flies when I spend time with them,” he says.

The members can be contacted at [e-mail]