Within the bustling district of Thrissur, Kerala, Lathika Suthan has carved a distinct segment for herself on the earth of floral cultivation. She has amassed a surprising assortment of almost 100 lotus plant varieties and 80 water lily species at her dwelling.
Apparently, Lathika grows uncommon and prized lotus specimens, such because the Historical Maple Leaf and the 1,000-petal lotus. These varieties are hardy and widely-known. She says these bloomed for the primary time in Kerala in her backyard.
This exceptional feat garnered consideration from magazines and social media, sparking widespread curiosity in lotuses and attracting quite a few lovers to her doorstep.
“By way of this, many individuals got here to find out about lotuses and began contacting me. I began giving tubers to people eager on cultivating these beautiful crops. After which I assumed, why not make a enterprise out of it?” shares Lathika.
Seizing the chance to share her ardour with others and recognising the potential for a flourishing enterprise, she reworked her pastime right into a worthwhile enterprise. Each month, the 51-year-old manages to earn as much as Rs 40,000.
We sat down together with her to hint her journey from being a major faculty instructor to turning into a flourishing lotus entrepreneur and mastering the artwork of propagating these unique flora.
Blossoming pastime right into a enterprise endeavour
Lathika’s love for gardening dates again to her childhood, the place nurturing and witnessing the expansion of crops introduced her immense pleasure. “Ever since I used to be a child, I loved gardening and I used to derive happiness simply by seeing these lotus blossoms,” she provides.
Whereas she went on to change into a major authorities faculty instructor in her early 20s, she couldn’t resist herself from following her ardour.
In 2018, she delved into commercialising her water lilies and lotus crops. Began initially as a pastime, this intrinsic ardour led her to transition from instructing to pursuing her green-thumb ambition.
Venturing into uncharted territory, Lathika launched into a quest to uncover and analysis the various world of lotus flowers and water lilies.
“I discovered that there have been 100 sorts of lotus and water lilies however out of those, only some varieties have been obtainable in India. The remainder have been imported from international locations reminiscent of Thailand, Vietnam and Japan,” she provides.
Regularly, Lathika began investing extra time in studying easy strategies to develop lotus and water lilies at dwelling. “I began shopping for native and imported saplings from nurseries throughout the nation. Earlier, I used to buy new sorts of saplings which have been very costly. Each new selection can be costly when it’s simply launched to the market. Nonetheless, its worth finally drops after a yr or so,” she says.
“As an illustration, to start with, I bought lotus tubers as costly as Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000. Presently, they value solely Rs 250 every tuber,” she shares.
To get an in-depth understanding of cultivating lotus and water lillies at dwelling, Lathika attended quite a few workshops and lessons carried out by the agricultural division within the district. “I additionally took assist from different people who find themselves into lotus cultivation. Then, I began experimenting myself and learnt throughout the course of,” she says.
Drawing on her expertise and information gained from workshops, lessons, and interactions with business consultants, Lathika finally honed her abilities in rising these crops.
Rising a whole bunch of lotus & lilies effortlessly
Lathika’s sustainable strategy to plant care units her aside. She advocates for the use of pure fertilisers. At her dwelling backyard, she makes use of dried cow dung, used tea leaves, powdered eggshells, and generally DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) to nurture her botanical treasures.
Emphasising the significance of daylight, water, and high quality soil over chemical fertilisers, she demonstrates the simplicity and ease of managing lotuses and water lilies, making them accessible even to newbie gardeners.
In addition to her spectacular assortment of lotus and water lilies, she additionally grows orchids, begonias, aglaonemas, creepers, and different indoor crops. She says, “In comparison with different crops, managing lotuses and water lilies is approach simpler. As soon as planted, it is going to begin rising and giving flowers with out a lot care.”
Lathika’s journey and the transformative energy of pursuing her ardour and embracing the fantastic thing about nature’s wonders, Suthan Thozhuthumparambil, her husband, says, “I’m deeply impressed by her work and I take delight that she is embracing her childhood ardour even at this age.”
“I used to be working in Qatar for a few years up to now however later I made a decision to retire and assist her run the enterprise. Every time I might come again dwelling, I attempted to be a serving to hand to her. She has taught me the way to water all these unique crops and repotting methods. We take pleasure in our gardening time collectively,” he shares with The Higher India.
Lathika manages to promote over 150 lotus seedlings and over 100 water lily seeds each month. She will get bulk orders from hospitals, lodges, and resorts.
Nonetheless, past the monetary good points, Lathika finds profound fulfilment and solace in every blooming flower. “Greater than cash, I really feel very content material and proud of every bloom of flowers. These crops are a respite to me from the every day stress,” she provides.
Edited by Padmashree Pande. All images: Lathika Suthan.
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