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11-foot shrub gets a place in Limca book
THE ELEVEN-FOOT wonder has helped Ajit Darbari get his name registered in the coveted Limca Book of Records. Nature astonishes us and it did once again when Darbari managed to raise a tomato plant that rose to the an unimaginable height of 11 feet.
THE ELEVEN-FOOT wonder has helped Ajit Darbari get his name registered in the coveted Limca Book of Records. Nature astonishes us and it did once again when Darbari managed to raise a tomato plant that rose to the an unimaginable height of 11 feet.
Way back in the year 2003, Hindustan Times had published a story on the remarkable plant. "It was an astounding thing to realise that a shrub could gain such a height and thus the idea to intimate about it to Limca Book of Records came to my mind. The authorities concerned sought the details in the year 2004 and surprisingly my efforts were noticed," said Darbari, who is a retired senior professional service officer of a renowned pharmaceutical company.
Interestingly, the plant, which has fetched a place in the coveted book, was cultivated without the use of any chemical fertilizer. "Only cow dung manure was used," claimed Darbari.
The tale behind making the record is interesting too. "After spending a couple of months at my village, something new was awaiting me at my home. A few saplings of tomato had grown in my small kitchen garden. I decided to raise one of them. When it started branching and acquired height, I allowed only one branch to grow and pruned the others. The single branch grew strong and healthy. After a attaining a particular height, I allowed two branches to thrive so that if one dies, the other could survive," said Darbari.
The experiment was a success and when the plant reached seven feet it was allowed to take support of a rod. And with the continuous care of Darbari, the plant advanced to the height of 11 feet.
"Being a seasonal plant, it is no more in my garden right now," he said. However, with the limited space, he is able to nurture only few plants in pots and not without the support of his wife Ratna, who herself is an ardent gardener.
Darbari, who is at present enjoying the fruits of his efforts, is busy nurturing a betel plant, which he got all the way from Vishakhapatnam. He is also raising peepal, banyan, pakad, China rose and lemon.
