27th March 2025 Mr Nandakumar
This is the story of a bonsai I received as a gift from my friend Mani Menon nearly four decades ago. The gift was a live plant belonging to the Adenum obesum species. At the time I received the plant, it had the makings of a bonsai. It was healthy and growing very well under the care of Mani and Taraji.
They were planning to move to Chennai on job assignments. Their love for their plants was bothering them. One day, Mani said, “Why don’t you take this, Nandu? I know you will look after it well.” I jumped at the offer and took it home. Initially, I was a bit sceptical about how to keep it growing. I placed it in a safe corner of my garden, and soon, it started flowering, which gave me immense pleasure. Occasionally, we would exchange notes on Adenum.
Later, we moved to our house, which is now the present home of our Dear Adenum Obesum.
I suggest choosing to gift plants, and soon you’ll gift a greener Planet for the next generation.
Thank you, Mani & Tara