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Everyone knows that gardening is an activity that is full of enjoyment and fun, especially if it involves the picking or harvesting of vegetables such as kai lan, cabbage or salad vegetables, or the collection of fruits such as tomatoes, ciku, mangoes, or even kedongdongs.  

This is when it gets more and more interesting, which may lead to the cultivation and harvesting of expensive fruits such as musang kings, provided the expanse of the area permits.

Since ancient times when plants started to be intricately linked with humans, there was initially the picking and taking from nature which later progressed to growing and producing them to satisfy the needs of an expanding human population.

This is when back-breaking scenarios started to appear as most had to work extra hard to make ends meet.

Even today, the term is often bandied about when faced with heavy tasks such as when unloading or shifting a tank of LPGas, a bag of topsoil, a 50 kg bag of fertiliser or a large sack of mangoes.  

Now these are all heavy stuffs which may need some extra effort or special means to get the job done.

Depending on the size of the area available to grow a few plants, it has now become a norm for Sabahans to grow something within their compound as in the case of landed properties, or within their non-landed residence as in the case of flats, apartments or condominiums.

Many of the varieties that are much loved and cultivated by Sabahans include those grown on the ground such as the fruit trees, flowering and non-flowering ornamental shrubs and trees, and large palms such as royal, areca or red palms.

Those plants that are not set on the ground has to be in some kind of container as in container cultivation.  This includes the use of clay pots, porcelain jars, large tin cans, discarded buckets and pails, and even containers of all shapes and sizes that have been thrown out of the kitchen.

These types of containers are considered good for growing various kinds of plants in them, depending on its size and its potential to grow larger and taller.  

However, with green fingers and capable hands, plus some basic horticultural knowledge, it is possible to grow even the larger varieties in pots that measure from 30-60 cm in diameter.  

For instance, red palms which are very popular as ornamentals, are able to reach 15-20 metres in height when grown on the ground.  But when forced to stay put in a pot measuring 50-60 cm in diameter, the palm may only reach2.0-2.5 metres in height after a number of years.

Another example is Pachira aquatica, which is commonly known as money tree or money plant.  This variety makes for a very attractive ornamental once they have been properly trained and shaped, more so if they are kept in large jars or pots where its size and height may be severely controlled.

However, once grown on the ground, it is fully liberated from any root environment constraint, which therefore allows it to grow to 15-20 metres or even taller with an appreciable shady canopy.

Many other varieties are also suitable for container cultivation.  The simple rule is that container bound plants require more care and attention compared to those grown on the ground. 

For this reason, there is a necessity to shift or move potted plants around, that is, either in the indoors or outdoors.  

This is usually to meet the needs of certain occasions such as during festivals, birthday or anniversary parties, or just to celebrate a dear one’s success in gaining admission into university including IIUM, UiTM or UMS.

When the need to move potted plants arises, therein lies the problem.  Normally plants in 15 cm diameter pots are insignificant.  

But plants grown in 30-50 cm pots, which weigh about 25 kg, may feel to be extremely heavy especially when the task is done by middle aged aunty aunties or uncle uncles.  

Of course it is possible to move them on a flatbed trolley, or several wheeled trays that are low and round in shape.

Unfortunately, most plant lovers have a tendency to make do without them, which is why they need to have strong backs, bulging biceps and rippling triceps.

These strong and healthy bodily parts are necessary to do the moving and lifting work when dealing with potted plants.  The most worrying moment is during the pre and post lift moments when it is necessary to lift the pot, move it and place it at a chosen location.

It is during such critical moments that the bending of the back needs extra care to avoid spraining lumbar area muscles or bones.

In the absence of trolleys or wheeled trays, the easiest way out is to improvise by using several commonly available items such as strips of cardboard, polycarbonate sheets or even pieces of discarded plywood.

Once they are available, just set these out lengthwise on the ground next to the potted plant.  From here, it is light work to squat while moving the plant to sit on one end of the strip.

After this, it is just a matter of pulling lightly at the other end and leading the pot to the designated spot. That is the ease of lifting and moving heavy pots to beautify any location.

The pulling and delivering task may be made even easier and lighter by lengthening the strip that is used to move the pot. With long strips, it is possible to move several pots at once without breaking into a sweat.  

However, it is necessary to ensure that the reverse face of the strip is free from quartz sand or other metallic particles as these are likely to cause scratches if pulled over marble or other tiled floors.

This improvised method therefore rewards the plant lover with much reserve energy without tiring out, which therefore allows him/her to go for a good rest plus a cuppa or a few bottles of his/her favourite beverage.

 

# The above writer may be reached at: onggrow@yahoo.com