Kerala   

Where small is beautiful

— PHOTO: by special arrangement

Little wonders: Joseph Attipetty in his bonsai garden.

The green stretch located on the city’s outskirts has over 200 varieties of dwarf trees grown in different styles. For the gardener, over and above the ornamental value it carries, this is a place to unwind and relax.

This trimmed patch of greenery developed in the backyard of Joseph Attipetti’s house in Puthuvype, has different species of bonsai trees ranging from a 150-year-old banyan tree to a three-year-old gooseberry plant.

Mr. Joseph, who had a liking for gardening even as a lad, took to the art of miniaturising plants under the inspiration of one of his friends.

He began the pursuit by planting a coconut tree in 1987, but soon turned into a bonsai grower after his retirement from the army in 1990.

At present, the garden boasts 12 varieties of banyan trees apart from tamarind, orange, mango and various other fruit trees.

He spends over four hours a day to look after his “little friends”.

His wife and two sons too share the passion. “You need to care for the bonsai plants like a child and they require sunlight, water, fresh air and balanced nutrition, just like any other plant,” Mr. Joseph says.

All the plants here have been turned into novel shapes using thin metal wires as he believes the attraction of a bonsai tree is all about its shape. “While making a bonsai, the selection of the pots is important as they should have proper holes to drain the water. And every four years, replanting should be done to ensure the plant’s health” says the bonsai enthusiast.

The plants grown here have been procured from different sources, mostly from estates and forests in Munnar and Wagamon. Some of Mr. Joseph’s friends, who share his passion, too have given him seedlings. At the centre of the garden is a pond with ornamental fish varying from gold fish to shark.

Mr. Joseph also breeds, on a commercial basis, rare species of birds including American pheasants and different types of pigeon. But he is firm on not selling his bonsai plants. In any case, he says, “There are only a few customers in the State for bonsais”.

With one of the best collections of trees perfected in the bonsai art, together with the pool and waterfalls built artificially at one end, this garden of miniature greens is a spectacular spot by all standards.

Hiran U.

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