I was expecting five seedlings from King's Mums and was gifted with a sixth chrysanthemum which makes that one more special. They arrived in a small UPS box which I can't imagine is a very pleasant experience for a tiny plant. However, they arrived intact and their sojourn in the confines of a dark box was brief. That is more than most of us can say. I can remember whole seasons in my life when I confined my spirit to darkness and limitation. Well, no more. The journey of these rare flowers will lead all who follow their path into light.
After shaking the seedlings gently from the dark soil in the plastic bag, I untangled their roots. My flute teacher is guiding me on the intricacies of the chrysanthemum path and advised me to plant them in little peat pots. That way I won't have to disturb the delicate roots when I transplant them into the large green planter boxes awaiting them. Speaking of which there weren't enough drainage holes in the planter boxes and mayhem resulted when I had to empty all the soil out to drill more holes. This is a lesson. Don't rush the process.
I tried to keep track of what variety each little plant was and then decided not to bother. After all, the plants will announce their colors and beauty as they bloom.
The seedlings will be moved from the little peat pots, sitting in red pots eventually into the planter boxes. They will tell me when they are ready.
Chrysanthemums should not be overwatered per instructions in the booklet, King's Mums sent me as this is a leading cause of chrysanthemum demise. -Not a pleasant thing to think about but life and death are so intertwined that it is really impossible to discuss one and not the other.
The seedlings will stay in the peat pots for one week while buds form. My understanding is that three buds are allowed to grow on top of the plant and others are removed. This is so that the chrysanthemum plant grows in the formation of the trinity; mother goddess, daughter and holy spirit. Well- this is my interpretation.
My flute teacher said to polish the buds with the mind. That when you are caring for your chrysanthemums you think of nothing else other than the flower. One is to bring full awareness into the care and nurture of the plants. Outside thoughts and the world must not intrude on the process.
Poetic meditation upon plants destined for perfection prepares the spirit for growth. Perhaps tonight, I will dream about my tiny seedlings, with all of their potential for striking transformation into creatures of dazzling beauty. But I must not anticipate and must enjoy fully their current small green, delicate nature. One must enter fully the moment the plant is in at all times.
Eventually, if they all survive I will have a 1) Golden Rain Spider 2) two Fleur De Lis Spider, 3 Orchid Spider 4 (Icicles Spider and 5) the gift spider of a Golden Splendor.
The summer stretches before me as a miraculous pathway into pristine beauty and perfection. I wish my skin was the magenta of a Fleur De Lis and my mind; icicles white. Well, the journey of these rare flowers will unfold all in good time. All we must do is follow.
