Monthly meeting of All India Kitchen Garden Association chapter 8 was held on January 30th 2024 at Bengal Sweets, Safdarjung enclave. Scheduled time was 11:30 a.m. and the guest speaker Smti Ila Sharma reached well in time to speak on the preparation for the flower show on 2nd and 3rd March 2024. Convener Shrimati Manju Jain ie Manju bhabhi hosted the meet. Tea, coffee, soup and snacks were taking the rounds to give time to members to settle down. The last date for submission of entry forms was January 25th 2024 to which the members adhered.
Ilaji listed out points to be kept in mind by the participants while preparing themselves for the show. Patience is the first quality to be developed by each and every participant. Since the number of exhibitors is large, the entry point is crowded. There are traffic jams because of tempo trucks and cars carrying exhibits. Everybody seems to be in a hurry to reach and make a decorative layout in their numbered stall and be conspicuous. This is the test of your patience at entry point or placement confusion or section wise demarcation of exhibits.
It is essential to go through the entry form properly so that you do not indulge in avoidable mistakes. Judging is not your job so do not try to impress the judges by lips service or chasing them wherever they are. It may lead to negative marking. Labeling plants is very important. Labeling should be done in such a manner that it is legible, clear and section wise ie flower pots, vegetables, herbs, medicinal plants should be classified properly otherwise they will be disqualified.
Health of plants is an important feature. Diseased plants cannot go for display so also pesticides sprayed pots. Spray has to be done in advance. Avoid sending over ripe fruits or vegetables. It should have the bloom but not over bloomed otherwise it will start withering. Minimum 4 to 8 pots in good shape and form should be selected for entry.
For garden entry planning should start at the initial stages. Layout should be such that plants get the maximum Sun and for a longer time. Sun rays are the basic food of plant and gardens growth. Overall impression plays a big role in judgment. Garden should be well planned with demarcation for flower beds, pots, and walking space between flower beds. Flower beds should have flowers of one variety and one size. Height wise it should look good. Starting from lower height to big size. Variety of flowers gives the garden a riot of colors. Garden should be free of pest and disease. Liquid spray of phosphorus and npk is most needed requirement of garden at regular intervals.
Garden requires separate storage space for tools, for example lawn mower machines, scissors and different types of kukries, organic manure etc. It gives a neat look to the garden plus safety tools and Maalis need another small area for mixing and mulching of khad and manure before using it. Water body with birds around adds charm to the garden. You can have step corners where you can plant bananas at the top and cacti plant in the steps. You can glorify your garden as far as your imagination and passion of course with basic needs in mind.
Ilaji was happy with the tips session as the members wanted to know more about the flower show. They came out with the question and she tried to clear the cobwebs in mind regarding the ensuing exhibition. It was a homely atmosphere where we were enjoying snacks with tea, coffee and soups.
Thank Ilaji for all your guidance and tips for the show. We all enjoyed the hospitality of Manju Jain, the convenor. Manju bhabhi’s hospitality is always at its best and this meeting was no exception. She survived on fresh lime soda and we did justice to everything on the table from snacks to main course of South Indian dishes and North Indian tandoori kulchas, makhani dal, Punjabi chanas ending with kulfi. Thank you bhabhi ji for adding onto our weight. Bharti Agarwal gave the vote of thanks followed by clapping. So this was the closing ceremony of our meeting.
