The gourd tree I planted has flowers.
Hello..!!
My Dear Friends,
I am @storytan
I like to write about anything.
Hello my dear steemit friends, how are you.? I hope you are all well. By the infinite mercy of Allah, I am also well.I am a writer. I love to write about different topics. I write stories and poems. I like to hide myself from public places. Today I am here again with a new story or poem. I hope you will like the poems and stories I have written The gourd tree I planted has flowers.. Let's get started.......
Introduction & Background:
Living amidst the mechanical life of the city, many of us forget that nature is a remarkable teacher. While we stay constantly entangled in work, studies, traffic, or technology, nature quietly continues its rhythm—often unnoticed. It was from a desire to reconnect with that very nature that the dream of creating a rooftop garden took root in my heart.
It all began one afternoon when I stood on the roof of my house and saw only concrete, bricks, and cement—no trees, no greenery, no birdsong. I thought, why not bring back a little patch of green myself? Thus began the plan for my rooftop garden.
Among the vegetables, I chose bottle gourd (lau) because it holds a strangely nostalgic connection with my childhood days in the village. I still remember sitting under the cool shade of gourd vines, reading books while the breeze gently blew. Holding onto that memory, I decided to plant bottle gourd.
Preparing to Plant:
First, I selected a large pot where the plant could grow and spread properly. Then, I prepared the soil—a mix of three parts loam, one part cow dung, with a touch of ash and decomposed organic compost to create natural fertility.
I drilled holes at the bottom of the pot to allow excess water to drain out—a crucial step, as stagnant water can rot the gourd’s roots. I also ensured proper drainage and designed a bamboo trellis so that the plant could climb upward and receive adequate air and sunlight. This preparation phase taught me that any fruitful result requires proper planning and a suitable environment first.
Importance of Climate, Environment, and Soil:
Bottle gourd generally thrives in warm and humid climates. The weather in Bangladesh is ideal for growing gourd, particularly from late spring to early summer. I sowed the seeds in the last week of March.
As the rooftop gets intense sunlight, I arranged partial shade during noon to protect the leaves from burning or wilting. To keep the soil cool and moist, I scattered crushed dry leaves over it. Thus, I started observing and respecting the plant’s adaptability to the environment and its climatic needs.
From Seed Sowing to Plant Growth:
I bought high-quality seeds from a local nursery. Since bottle gourd seeds are quite hard, I soaked them overnight to encourage quick germination.
Within 7–10 days of sowing, the seeds began sprouting. Initially, two leaves emerged—the seed leaves—followed by the true leaves. As the vines started growing, I gently guided them onto the bamboo trellis. Watching the plant every morning became a daily ritual. The emergence of each new leaf and the stretching of each new tendril felt like a celebration of life itself.
The Significance of Blossoming and Observations:
About one and a half months later, I noticed a small yellow flower bloom one morning. Although surprised at first, my heart filled with joy. Later, I learned it was a male flower—it only provides pollen and does not bear fruit.
The following week, another flower bloomed with a small gourd-like bulge at its base—this was the female flower. I realized the plant was reaching maturity. As there were no bees or natural pollinators around, I hand-pollinated by transferring pollen from the male to the female flower.
That moment was profound. Alongside a sense of biological engagement, I realized how deeply interconnected humans are with nature.
Care and Dealing with Challenges:
After the flowers bloomed, plant care became even more crucial. I observed issues like yellowing leaves, pest attacks, and flower drop due to excessive heat.
I opted for natural remedies—spraying homemade pesticide made from neem leaves, garlic, and chilies. This ensured the flowers and fruits remained unharmed. I also applied organic fertilizer weekly to supply nutrients during fruiting.
One memorable incident occurred when a stormy night broke the trellis and the plant fell. I carefully tied it back myself, and to my amazement, the vine began climbing again! That experience taught me that nature never gives up—it only asks for patience.
Personal Experience and Emotional Impact:
The experience of seeing flowers bloom on my bottle gourd plant brought an indescribable sense of peace. Every morning, I looked forward to discovering whether a new flower had bloomed or a tiny fruit had appeared. These small joys washed away life’s monotony. I began to understand patience anew, and the rhythm of nature more deeply.
It felt like a reflection of life itself—from seed to sprout, from bloom to fruit. Everything happens in its own time; nothing can be forced. Just like in life, rewards from hard work come slowly and gradually.
Environmental Awareness and Future Plans:
This journey inspired me to think like a small-scale urban farmer. In the future, I plan to grow more vegetables on my rooftop—tomatoes, bitter gourds, okra, long beans, and more.
I'm also encouraging my neighbors to start gardening on their roofs or balconies. If every home grows ten plants, the whole neighborhood can turn into a little green village.
Not only does this help the environment, but it also contributes to food self-reliance, mental peace, and physical activity. I hope one day, the bottle gourd I planted inspires others to grow their own green havens.
Conclusion:
“The bottle gourd plant I planted has bloomed”—though this may sound simple, it holds within it a long story of labor, love, environmental awareness, and emotional fulfillment.
From seed to flower, and from flower to fruit—this journey teaches us patience, planning, care, and how the true beauty of life blooms in harmony with nature. I believe that these small green efforts will one day build a beautiful, conscious, and sustainable Bangladesh
Thank you so much for reading my post. Tell me how you liked the poems and stories I have written through the comments. I hope you enjoyed reading the poems and stories I have written. Thanks again everyone, stay well.
Best Regards
@storytan
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You have discussed your gourd cultivation method very well. However, I would suggest that adding a series of pictures and descriptions of any plant planting method would make the post more unique. At the same time, try to make the post more interesting by using markdown in the post. The post only contained pictures of flowers.