You've probably all been watching the images of riots, looting and criminal damage. It was shameful and disgusting to watch. Hubster and I joined in with the Ealing cleanup on Tuesday - we couldn't just sit back and do nothing. It was a reminder that there are people in this country (and no doubt around the world) who manage to be materialistic and greedy while putting no value on belongings.
I wouldn't dream of comparing damage to my plants to the losses faced by the poor families I've seen on the news. I would give up my whole garden without a second thought for the sake of my own family. And yet the sense of perspective didn't make this any easier to deal with on Monday night:
This was Bastard the Cycad. Less than a month ago he started flushing, and by the time we went away this time last week for my brother's wedding, he had a good six inches of growth. I came back to find all his fronds snapped off and laid in the pot next to him.
I tried to think whether it was a strong gust of wind, or an animal. But wind would have sent the broken pieces across the garden, and an animal would have eaten the bits (hopefully getting the staggers afterwards). The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced this was human. We have guys who work next door to us, but they are lovely friendly chaps who know how much my garden means to me, and I am sure that if one of them had knocked Bastard accidentally, they would have said something. So I'm discounting them.
Which means I'm led back to our nasty new neighbours and their builders, and I reckon this time it was deliberate. The fronds were put back in the pot. But because I was away I have no means of proving this. I just feel gutted that I'd spent all this time nursing Bastard back from near death, and now he won't have this lovely full flush of seven fronds that he was growing. If he's lucky we'll have two full ones.
I'm fed up of people who vandalise other people's property. I hate these builders, and the criminal tenants employing them. I'm disgusted by the far, far worse destruction and wrecking of people's lives that has gone on in the past week. And I'm angry because I am absolutely powerless to do anything about it.
I wouldn't dream of comparing damage to my plants to the losses faced by the poor families I've seen on the news. I would give up my whole garden without a second thought for the sake of my own family. And yet the sense of perspective didn't make this any easier to deal with on Monday night:
This was Bastard the Cycad. Less than a month ago he started flushing, and by the time we went away this time last week for my brother's wedding, he had a good six inches of growth. I came back to find all his fronds snapped off and laid in the pot next to him.
I tried to think whether it was a strong gust of wind, or an animal. But wind would have sent the broken pieces across the garden, and an animal would have eaten the bits (hopefully getting the staggers afterwards). The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced this was human. We have guys who work next door to us, but they are lovely friendly chaps who know how much my garden means to me, and I am sure that if one of them had knocked Bastard accidentally, they would have said something. So I'm discounting them.
Which means I'm led back to our nasty new neighbours and their builders, and I reckon this time it was deliberate. The fronds were put back in the pot. But because I was away I have no means of proving this. I just feel gutted that I'd spent all this time nursing Bastard back from near death, and now he won't have this lovely full flush of seven fronds that he was growing. If he's lucky we'll have two full ones.
I'm fed up of people who vandalise other people's property. I hate these builders, and the criminal tenants employing them. I'm disgusted by the far, far worse destruction and wrecking of people's lives that has gone on in the past week. And I'm angry because I am absolutely powerless to do anything about it.
Yuck. I don't get people sometimes. Our garden plot used to see senseless vandalism all the time, plants torn up, unripe fruit picked and scattered. Luckily it seems like your cycad is a resilient little bastard.
ReplyDeleteI've got a vast sago palm in a pot in my front garden, which gives me what looks like a rash every time I touch it, so I hope it did the same to whoever vandalised your plant.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, come to think of it, you're very welcome to it if you would like it for Jurassic Park?
I'm hoping Bastard is as resilient as cycads seem to be, although SomeBeans said it can take them a while to realise they're dead!
ReplyDeleteVictoria, I do have a second cycad (imaginatively called Bastard II), but if you're looking for a good home for yours, then that would be lovely. Are you doing your open garden again this year?
Hi, Julia, yes, I am opening my garden, on Sunday 28 August from 2pm to 6pm. If you can come, that would be lovely, but if you want to come over another time and look at the cycad, you're very welcome. I'm at home the week of 21-28 August.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to come for your open garden! I'm back at work from the 15th, so there won't be a lot of time during that week, sadly.
ReplyDeleteI was drawn into reading your blog through my own love for plants and fossils ..then was SO saddened to read this happened to you . Dont give up on your beautiful Cycad...I,m sure he will surprise you and spring forth yet again : )
ReplyDelete