The joy of seeing a plant grow after you’ve planted it from seed, stem or bulb is very rewarding to anybody. Imagine the process to a child – it is nothing short of amazing. Take it from a person who grew up in a riverine area and planted a black- eyed pea plant as a child. Memories remain of the process from germinating the seed in wet newspaper, planting the seedling, watching it grow, watching it bear and the heart-rending process of watching it die when the Pomeroon River inundated the land. But it’s the process that counted; the joy was akin to a miracle.
This year, as in previous years, when the Horticulture Society of Guyana hosted its 29th annual show, there was a children’s category.
Here are some tips to help your child get started with his garden, plant box, or even just one plant.
Garden plants
Many of these plants are easy to grow. Try pumpkin, ochro, eggplant (boulanger) or legumes. The bonus is that your child can harvest the vegetables and contribute to the family meal. What better way to get them to eat their vegetables, or maybe sell them to the neighbours for extra pocket money.
Aloe plants.
This medicinal plant may interest even a pre-school age child.  Taking a leaf and cutting it off to get the gel out is fun for children because they get to play with it.  But not only that: they learn that this cactus-like plant is actually a popular healing plant.  Show them how to “harvest” the gel so that it can be used to heal burns.
Bromeliad plants
These interesting plants can be grown in rocky crevices, rocks or soil.  The different varieties offer different looks.  Some are watered not from  their roots, but by holding moisture at the centre of their rosettes.  Many flower only once ,then create offshoots.  The foliage can be ever-changing, offering youth something different to look at.
Succulents and cactuses.
Cactuses interest children because of their prickly attributes.  Some flower, some don’t.  There are those that appear to have sharp thorns but are actually soft.
Spider plants
Spider plants are a universal favourite. The plants which grow in hanging baskets purify the air and once mature, will create baby plants. Children will like to see the babies growing while attached to the mother plants. The leaves change as the plant grows older.
Herbs
Herbs are among kid-friendly plants as they grow much faster than vegetables and are harvestable sooner. Mint is one herb that your child might like as it smells like mint candy which children know about.
The information sheet issued by the society said that in the children’s class, plants can be grown in a bottle, sink, pan, pan, kettle and old shoes.
Getting your child interested in the intrigue of gardening adds to the beauty of your home and gives them a head-start on a lifelong hobby.