A passion for plants |02 August 2021
In the following article, Dr Ariel Rodrigues da Rocha from Panafricare Clinic, tells us about his love and passion for plants. He also shares with us some of the benefits that having plants can bring into our lives, as well as his tips for any beginners who would like to create their own personal plant sanctuary.
Seychelles NATION: Tell us about your passion for plants and how it begun.
Ariel Da Rocha: It’s impossible to talk about my love for plants and not mention my grandma.
When I was growing up, my grandmother lived just a few houses down the road. Both my parents worked full time, so my sister and I spent a lot of time there playing outside, gardening and cooking with her. I can remember being small enough to stand on a chair in her kitchen helping her to stretch bread dough. The few hours we spent there every day between the end of school and my dad coming to pick us up after work always felt peaceful.
The front yard was filled with many types of plants, flowers, and trees, and it was there where my grandmother and I spent most of our time. She used to talk to herself whenever she was gardening or maybe she was talking to the plants, I don’t know, I never really asked, but now I understand that was her moment to feel grounded. Without a doubt, my grandma was the one captivating my love for plants over the years.
As I grew up and moved abroad for my studies, I had neither the time nor space for plants. To be honest, I completely forgot about it, until 3 years ago when I finished medical school. Returning home and seeing my grandmother and my sister so into plants made me want to pick up this hobby right from where I left.
Before moving to Seychelles, unfortunately I had to give away all my plants. I only gave it to people I knew would take good care of them. Sometimes when they are blooming or shooting a new branch, their new owners send me pictures, which makes me feel strangely happy.
Here in Seychelles, I have already acquired a few plants. In my house, there are plants pretty much everywhere, from creepers to orchids, philodendrons, succulents, cacti, air plants, etc - all of which are growing just fine, well, at least most of them are. I still struggle to keep some plants alive here and there.
Ariel Da Rocha: I go through little crushes with plants but always find my way back to Pink Princess Philodendron (laughs).
Seychelles NATION: What are some benefits of having plants around us, and what values do plants bring to your life?
Ariel Da Rocha: There are several interesting studies published over the years showing how the presence of plants can lead to reduced anxiety and stress levels, increased productivity, attentiveness, memory retention, alertness, and enhanced work performances.
Plants stopped being merely interior design pieces for me. They have become an important part of my lifestyle and mindfulness practice. Whether indoors or outdoors, the act of plant care is a grounding exercise.
There is a phrase that goes “How lovely the silence of growing things.” Caring for plants can be a beautiful, yet challenging experience. It demands that we learn how to be aware, how to observe and to be patient. Plants make us slow down our hurried life experiences. They invite us to be one again with nature. Does that make sense?
Seychelles NATION: What are your tips for beginners who would like to create their personal plant sanctuary?
Ariel Da Rocha: Indeed, I spend a lot of time caring for my plants. I’m successful with most of them, but I have also killed my fair share of plants, but from mistakes, we learn. Every new plant is a challenge, as I try to find a perfect spot for it, figure out its light and watering needs in my apartment.
A word of warning though, easy on the water! A plant is more likely to recover from dehydration than from overwatering. Think like that, a person can live around 3-4 days without water, but they'd die if submerged for more than 3-4 minutes. Plants need air too and soggy soil can easily drown them.
Different plants have different needs and caring for them means learning their little peculiarities. Low maintenance plants are ideal for beginners. If you're the forgetful type, ZZ plant, Snake plant, Aloe Vera, Kalanchoe, Cacti, Air Plants, and Philodendrons might be more your speed. If you're working with a dark room, give low-light options like Pothos, Prayer-plants, Monstera, Peace Lily, Dieffenbachia, Chinese Evergreen, and Dracaena a try.
Monstera
The beauty of low-maintenance plants is that they can survive and even thrive despite being seriously neglected.
I have a couple of low-maintenance plants myself, they are just here, relaxing in the corner. Sometimes I water them, sometimes I don’t, and we live in perfect harmony.
Seychelles NATION: Tell us about your Instagram feed.
Ariel Da Rocha: On Instagram, I go by @JunglePlants_ and it’s all about plants. Recently I also started sharing about underwater life experiences; diving is a hobby I found when I moved to Seychelles.
It’s been so much fun being a part of the plant community, sharing plant care tips and helping others with their plant problems.
If you are looking for guidance and good quality content, I suggest you follow @planterina and @farmernick on Instagram. They talk so passionately about plants, and you can learn enormously from them. There are many other amazing people, but these two are my favourites.
Seychelles NATION: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Ariel Da Rocha: Buy plants!
F. P.
