Learning something new

Islamabad:The Floral Art Society (Magnolia Chapter) held its monthly meeting at president, Wiqarunnisa Boolani’s residence, beginning with the recitation of Holy Quran. Show chairperson, Huma Ehsan introduced the expert of the occasion, Kehkashan Khwaja, a seasoned educationist and an amateur gardener.

Kehkeshan taught the members how to make a paludarium - a living ecosystem where all of the living elements and non-living elements interact with one another, making four paludariums from scratch, using pickle jars, coffee bottles and a big glass container. An ecosystem was created using crushed stones, leca balls, sand and vermi-compost and she explained that the most suitable plants for a paludarium are the ones that like humidity as the container is placed in indirect sunlight along with a proper cover. Some of these plants are spider plants, weeds, mosses and oxalis.

Though it was a lengthy demonstration, she successfully managed to keep the audience captivated and fully engaged, after which the hostess thanked her warmly and presented her a token of thanks. In conclusion, three new members introduced themselves; birthday girls were given small gifts and the meeting ended on a happy note with the guests enjoying delicacies and chitchat.