As I walked late in the evening yesterday, defiant to the fever, the guilt of not having done enough to procure the right pesticide for the plants (especially the cucumber) gnawed deep. I finally called the Just-Dial people. As I spoke to them, their characteristic efficiency was heard as a faint blip of a new message received on the cell. I thanked...disconnected and was just about to view the message they'd sent, when I received a call. An unknown number. "Hi Sir, this is Mr Gopi Krishna...this is with regard to your query for pesticide dealers etc etc."
I, like anyone get sold on efficiency and competence. Mr Gopi Krishnas' voice exuded both. The long and the short of it is...I got to speak to his boss, Mr Neeraj (proprietor of a pest control shop--see www.skeeterfree.in) . I explained my predicament. A patient listener, who seemed to have the ability to empathise without many words. I also mentioned of this blog, to explain to him of what I was doing. And then the unexpected happened. He offered to see the plants and do the first treatment himself. I knew, it'd cost a bomb. Home visits generally do. But I was desperate. So we fixed a time for today morning at 9.
At 2 minutes to 9 today, having driven a bit more than 30 km, Mr Neeraj called me from a very prominent pre-decided landmark. I led him the short distance home. He was accompanied by Mr Gopi. For their time and actions for the next hour or so, I'd like to rechristen them as Angel 1, Angel 2.
They saw the plants. They were almost sure, it was some fungal disease. Then they got to action.
I, like anyone get sold on efficiency and competence. Mr Gopi Krishnas' voice exuded both. The long and the short of it is...I got to speak to his boss, Mr Neeraj (proprietor of a pest control shop--see www.skeeterfree.in) . I explained my predicament. A patient listener, who seemed to have the ability to empathise without many words. I also mentioned of this blog, to explain to him of what I was doing. And then the unexpected happened. He offered to see the plants and do the first treatment himself. I knew, it'd cost a bomb. Home visits generally do. But I was desperate. So we fixed a time for today morning at 9.
At 2 minutes to 9 today, having driven a bit more than 30 km, Mr Neeraj called me from a very prominent pre-decided landmark. I led him the short distance home. He was accompanied by Mr Gopi. For their time and actions for the next hour or so, I'd like to rechristen them as Angel 1, Angel 2.
They saw the plants. They were almost sure, it was some fungal disease. Then they got to action.
They'd got these along with them...
The oil a mix of three essential oils viz. Neem oil, Citronella oil and Geranium oil in proportion. So two table-spoons of baking soda and a tablespoon of oil was mixed to a litre of water. The three oils are hydrophobic (implying they don't mix well with water). The baking soda helps in overcoming that. The solution was put into the pressure sprayer. Necessary pressure was built and then began the treatment...
From all conceivable angles, for all the plants. Now it's a repeat after a days's gap. Then it's a wait and watch for the next 4-5 days. If it works--great!!. If it doesn't, I get another Angelic visit with some other solution.
I'm positive, it'd work. For angels fly, I believe in magic and there seems to be a divine presence looking after the entire adventure. Also, angels don't charge you. I insisted on paying for their time, the expertise, the hardware and the cost of material. They refused to listen. I guess, it's a long-term investment into a great friendship.
I'm off again for the next five days. Shankar is aware of what's to be done. I'm sure, it'd be an anxious me entering home five days later.
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