Tag Archives: summer

It’s raining – bananas!

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bananas


The banana plant in the backyard was drying up as expected in the summer and was awaiting the chop in preparation for some colder weather. But as the gardener went about his job, this is what he noticed.
We actually had summer bananas! That, even to his experienced eye, was unexpected. That was a couple of months ago!
Today, however, to our surprise, the fruit has actually begun to ripen and it should be ready to eat in a few days.

The bananas, however, are relatively smaller in size than what we got in the winter. That, of course, also led to the plant collapsing under its own weight, and that, too, when the fruit was raw. The result was we did not get to have the full benefit of the crop. Almost all of it was given away to cleaners and other workers, who were delighted to get their hands on the giant-sized fruit. Most of these workers, from Bangladesh and the South Indian state of Kerala, cook raw bananas as a delicious coconut-based curry which we from North India do not.
Since these pictures were taken a couple of days ago, one of the stems has collapsed, but not before the bananas were well on their way to being “yellow”. Many of them I have given away to friends, while some being devoured as dessert in our kitchen over the next few days.
There is almost nothing growing in the garden in these hot summer months, at least until the end of September, so these bananas are like the proverbial breath of fresh air! Of course, this is the natural cycle in this part of the world when the soil replenishes itself for the very productive season ahead!
There’s nothing without a reason as far as nature is concerned!

It’s hot out there but not for them

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The blistering summer is upon us in Bahrain – in all its fury.
Temperatures are touching an average of 45C (113F) in the sun, making everyone broil – literally.
However, these remarkable animals – camels – the ships of the desert – seem to be the only ones not affected by heaven’s fury, out in the heat and grazing away on dried grass.
Nature has its own way – and has made each living being differently – camels being among one of the most unique.
There was a time – not any more, of course, when the camel was man’s best friend in this part of the world – giving the locals meat and milk, as well as acting as a beast of burden, tilling land and carrying loads.
But, more than anything else, the camel was the only transport available to the ancient Arabs. Of course, motor vehicles were there as well but few and far between. It were only these rather unstable looking beings that that could often mean the difference between life and death.
These days, however, they are only used for their milk and meat and that, too, not very often. There are only as many camel farms in this country because the numbers of those involved in this trade are fast dwindling.
Sadly, these majestic creatures are now also mostly of interest to the tourists who want to see the “ship of the desert” in the desert!
Just for the record, camel milk and milk products, as well as camel meat, are quite expensive – and could cost four times as much as cow milk and beef!
That’s rather exclusive!

 

Burnt out

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The summer is severe every year, with August being the worst in terms of temperature – and that is when it turns into a virtual sauna out there.
However, this year, its been the “worst in  many many years” if those who are in the know are to be believed.
I personally thought it was the same this year as well and it only seemed to be “worse than before”. But I realized there was basis in all those statements when I stepped out into the garden to take a close look at all those plants that normally are green throughout the year.
And this is what I found.
The croton, the mint, the jasmine, the papaya and even the banana, which had hundreds of bananas just a month ago, as well as the perennial rose, have all withered as if someone has burnt them. And, this despite extensive watering twice a day.
Sad to see this has happened but the gardener seems to think most of them will sprout again as soon as the weather eases, perhaps by the first week of September.
I hope he is right! Until then, it’s up to the weather Gods – and nature!

Bananas in Bahrain

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A little more than a year ago when I got the gardener to plant a couple of banana trees in our little garden, he was skeptical. He insisted these plants would just “create a jungle” and become unmanageable.
A few weeks ago, he insisted he had been “proved right” since the plants had grown all over the roof of ours and the neighbors house, and there was no sign of any fruit. I gave him the go ahead to chop them off and create some free space, at which he seemed quite pleased.
But, then, this happened. Two “flowers” appeared. While I was elated at my “patience”, the gardener seemed quite surprised and in disbelief. Now, more than a month after the “chop” discussion, we have two large stems, with a couple of hundred bananas, showing themselves off.
I look at them several times a day and watch them “grow” and each day, they seem bigger and better.
We never imagined there would be bananas grown in hot and humid Bahrain, where there is hardly any rain at all and which is far from the tropical climate these plants need to flourish.
I got the plants from a friend who said in many years he’d had them in his garden, they had borne fruit only once and that, too, were “a few”. He was desperate to get rid of most of them and that is when I “acquired” two. The thing with a banana plant is that it keeps sprouting all around where it is planted. The “kid banana plants”, as they are called then “take over” the larger stems that eventually wither away and die. Also, once the stem bears fruit, it has to be removed and discarded so that it makes way for the “children” to flower and bear fruit.
The ways of nature are wonderful and more wonderful is being in a position where one can appreciate it’s beauty.
In our own small way, we have that luxury.
What next, I wonder!

Bahrain’s Bougainvillea bazaar

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The Bougainvillea is out in force in Bahrain. It’s everywhere, in full bloom.
While this hardy plant is perfectly capable of weathering the harsh summer, it’s rather colourless, dull and drab. But, come October and the easing of the heat, it comes out with a vengeance and shows its true element.
Our own garden, in keeping with the “mood” everywhere, is in full bloom as well!