自然と闘う「サルスベリ」の生態を見る

【画像をクリックし、拡大して見るとサルスベリの生きざまが垣間見えます。】

　昨日、庭のサルスベリを観察していたら、ご覧の通り、枝が２か所で割れてることに気づきました。枝は横に長く張り出していることから、先日「降った雪の重さに耐えられなかった」と咄嗟に判断できました。

　一般的に、サルスベリの枝は毎年切り落とされるようですが、私は「自然の姿を求め」育ててることから、このようになったのです。枝の真ん中で裂けるように割れてるので、多分、根からの養分は枝先に届いてると想われます。果たして、この枝は７月に開花するでしょうか。全体としては例年のように開花するでしょう。

　サルスベリの原産地は中国南部といわれ、本来は、雪など体験しない樹木でしょう。百日紅とも書くように７月から３ヶ月ほど咲き続けます。それにしても、樹木は厳しい自然の中で身を挺して生き、花を咲かせることが実感できました。

　一方、人間の私は、これほど苦難に耐えられず、真剣に生きているかと自らを振り返ります。どうしても安きに流れ怠けてます。冬の期間、休みであった地区の「ラジオ体操会」が３ヶ月振りに今朝から始まります。「柔軟な筋肉の動きや、正しい姿勢こそ」健康の基盤と考え、毎朝、出席し、お腹を空かして朝食をしっかり摂ります。

【昨年の開花です。】

　

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

　....................................

　Yesterday, while I was observing the crape myrtle in my garden, I noticed that the branches were split in two places, as you can see. Since the branches were long and overhanging, I was able to quickly understand that the tree was unable to withstand the weight of the snow that had fallen in this district the other day.

　Generally speaking, the branches of crape myrtle are cut off by human every year, but I raise it without cutting off because I like looking for a natural appearance. The branches are split in the middle, so I think that nutrients from the roots are probably reaching the tips of the branches. Will this branch really bloom in July? Overall, the flowers will bloom as usual.

　As you know, crape myrtle is said to be native to southern China, so that the tree that does not normally experience snow. Also you know as crape myrtle, it continues to bloom for about three months from July to beginning of October. Even so, I was able to realize that trees are able to survive and bloom in the harsh environment of nature.

　On the other hand, as a human being, I can't endure hardships and reflect on myself when I encounter like this serious situation. I can't help but go cheap and get lazy. Not change the subject, but the district's "Radio Gymnastics" which were closed during the winter, will begin this morning for the first time in three months. I am believing that "flexible muscle movement and correct posture are the foundation of our good health," I will attend it every morning, and recall the proverb that Hunger is the best sauce and then eat a hearty breakfast.

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１１月下旬、寒さに弱い植物を室内へ

　１１月下旬は例年、寒さに弱い植物を家の中の日当たりの良い廊下に入れ、寒さ対策をしてやります。特に、アフリカが原産地と想われる君子蘭はこれからの日本の季節では葉が萎れてしまいます。今まで、折角、良く成長してきたので引き続いて冬の管理を徹底します。

　私の予想では、いわば、この暖かい温室の中なら来年１月下旬には開花があるかもしれません。例年１月１１日から日の出時刻が少々早まるので、もしかして、それを察知し、１月中旬には蕾が出て来るのではないかと内心ワクワクしてます。それ程、今までにない今年の君子蘭の成長ぶりです。植木鉢ごとの重さは３０～４０Kほどあり、それを庭から６鉢を室内に入れたので腰を心配しましたが、今のところ大丈夫です。

　一方、生来、日本の気候に慣れてる日本シャクナゲは大きくて持ち上げられないこともあり、庭で冬を越します。群馬県北部に位置する嬬恋村の「愛妻の丘」周辺には同じ日本シャクナゲの群生があり、ここの気温は今後、氷点下になるのですから、日本シャクナゲは低温には大丈夫でしょう。

　その代わり、西洋シャクナゲの運べる大きさのものだけ室内に入れました。こちらは銀嶺と命名され、花は白の中に薄いピンクが微かに混ざります。その他、現在咲いてるハイビスカスや芙蓉、来春咲くアマリリスも室内に入れました。

　このため、殺風景だった室内は途端に家族が増えたように賑やかです。併せて、年末から正月にかけては娘たち家族が泊まりに来るので、静まり返っていた我が家は蜂の巣を叩いたように活気に満ちます。

Dear my friends abroad who like rhododendrons

　In late November, I usually enter the plants that are sensitive to cold into the sunny hallway of my house to protect them from the cold. In particular, the leaves of kaffir lily which is believed to be native to Africa, will wither in the upcoming Japanese season. It has been growing well so far, so I will continue to manage them thoroughly during the winter.

　My prediction is that in this warm greenhouse, so to speak, the flowers may bloom in late January next year 2024. The sun rises a little earlier than usual from January 11th, so I'm secretly excited, thinking that the buds maybe appear in mid-January. This year's growth of kaffir lilies are unprecedented. Each flowerpot weighs about 30 to 40kg, and I was worried about my back as I brought 6 pots indoors from the garden, but I am not suffering from lumbago so far.

　On the other hand, Japanese rhododendrons, which are naturally accustomed to the Japanese climate, are too large to be lifted, so they overwinter in the garden. There is a cluster of Japanese rhododendrons around Aisai no Oka that means the hill for beloved wife in Tsumagoi Village, located in the northern part of Gumma Prefecture, and since the temperature here will drop below freezing point from now on, so that the Japanese rhododendrons will be fine in low temperatures.

　Instead, I only brought indoors items that were enough to carry Western rhododendrons. This one is named Ginrei, and the flowers are white with a slight hint of pale pink. In addition, I brought indoors the hibiscus that are blooming now, and Confederate rose and the amaryllis that will bloom next spring.

　As a result, the previously bleak room suddenly became lively, as if the family had grown. Additionally, my daughters' families come to stay over the holidays from the end of the year to the New Year, so my once quiet home becomes as lively as a beehive.

※上記の英文をネイティブの発音で聴くには英文をドラッグしてコピーし、次に貼り付けて下さい。なお、右上の欄を必ずUS Englishにしてください。https://ttsreader.com/ja/