At the break of dawn, when the sky is spreading light, I climb the steps to the second floor terrace, to look at the sky, the clouds,birds chirping and enjoy the cool breeze on my face. During the last week, this daily routine was pleasantly distracted by a welcome sight on the parapet wall, which comes into view, as I ascend the steps. I could see this cheerful yellow greeting me at the same angle , past few days..
First day sighting of the flower, taken from mobile
View on the parapet wall and from the road.
Some gourd variety, the flowers are cheerful
First it was one flower, today ,three. I look at it, feeling a kind of warmth spreading over me,bringing a smile on my face. I welcome the flower and go near it to see its bright yellow color, which can be seen from across the road, by the apartments lining our opposite colony. I am grateful that my garden is spreading cheer ,to the passer by in the morning, since no one can overlook that color and the big flowers. The bees are soon engaged with the flower, and within no time, I see the flower closes, say by 9 a.m.
I am curious to know what is the fruit going to be , a pumpkin/dosakay or whatever.I am not methodical gardener, I do not keep record of what I germinated. I do not know when the seed was sown, and how the plant grew. I only knew it was fighting even the terrible summer and withstood my scanty watering. Once the rain started, it simply revived itself and now flowers! On the first day , I could not see any female flowers, second day too, many male flowers were blooming. In frustration I plucked out some buds , which I presumed are male. Today , I find the plant is giving female buds too..Hey…. You can see them ,in the picture.
I do not know whether it can withstand the fruiting, or fruiting will be a success, since the pot is too small for such a sturdy creeper. I have tried to give some support, and gave a good dose of nutrition. keeping my fingers crossed for the first pollination and fruit development.
Today some more..
another one on 20th..
After all the plant gave me a message – be cheerful, anything can happen!
So waiting… cheerfully!
Linked to http://dreamspaces.blogspot.in/2012/07/bright-and-cheerful-in-morning.html, to facilitate submission in Indiblogger
Pattu's terrace Garden 
Lovely yellow flowers.. Looking so fresh on a rainy morning.
Thanks Jas. I was rumbling to Indi that my blog was not accepted. I am having problems with submissions:-)
Lovely pics! Yes, the flowers are a cheerful colour. 🙂
Thanks Manju!
That’s a pumpkin vine, Pattu. It looks healthy so just keep feeding it and you should get some great pumpkins. Do post some pics when they fruit.
Thanks Jeanne, I will. This time I hope I get one fruit at least.
Hi Pattu, These yellow flowers surely represent the pumpkin. I’ve noticed similar flowers in Kumarhatti also. Farmers here grow this gourd in plenty and pick them when the flesh inside is still green. The baby pumpkin doesn’t require peeling of the skin before cooking. Because it’s a sweet taste we add varian to make the preparation little savoury. I hope you’ll be blessed with some fruit. Waiting has its own charm!
Thanks Uppalji, Nice to get connected with you. When are you coming to the plains?
Hey Pattu, you are indeed blessed twice over — to find such lovely plant gracing your terrace and to find life lessons in such a simple phenomenon 🙂
Oh Zephyr, how sweet!
the joys of nonmethodical gardening… if these are pumpkin flowers, you can wait till you have the fruits you need and then use the next lot of flowers to add yellow to your diet. they taste awesome batter-fried… that is if you can get yourself to batter fry those lovely flowers…
Subhorup,you are master of all, you write so well, speak so well, know so much about tea, you have balcony garden , and you post recipes! ( Lucky Mrs.S.D.).
Such a good idea to use the flowers. You might have noticed, in south it is unheard of.It is usually adorned on the gobar, in the Kolam( Muggu) in the front yard.
I want to try it out sometime. I have been trying to grow that pumpkin since two years, and failed so far. Let me see now.
A non-methodical person, like me, ends up with a messy garden too, but I imagine that I am brining in thebutter flies,bees, and the birds 🙂
Pumpkin, wow! I have tried many times to grow pumpkin, the creeper comes out fine. I even had flowers once or twice but never a single fruit :(. Isn’t it amazing to see it! My youngest son planted some tomato seeds and now there are small plants with 2-3 tiny tomatoes. The excitement on his face as he checks the plant everyday is priceless :). I have to put up the pics too.
Yeah Rachna, I understand how the failure of not getting fruit feels. I have not succeeded so far. Most of the flowers are male, and may end up as Subhorup’s suggestion soon.( today). Female ones are coming up, but with a slightly withering look ( Is it due to excess rain we are having since 4 days?).
Loved that tomato story. Congrats to your son, and to you for encouraging this . Waiting for the pictures of tomato and the grower..
Hi
Thanks for visiting Sushma’s Page and promoting some of its content on Indi.
Great knowing.
Cheers
You are welcome Sushma!
How exciting! It’s true, anything can happen.
Thanks Mami!
what a charming post.not only the bright flower but your spirit as well has a wonderful rejuvenating feel.I also let them grow as they come and sometimes am blessed with such beautiful sights.
thanks for this cheer spreading post.
Thanks Namita. Just back from Bangalore after a0 days.
hai Pattu mami I am gita from hyd.like to visit your garden pl call me at***** then I shall call back & fix an appointment I am the Gita that vidya suri wrote to you about
gita
Hi Gita. Welcome here. Thanks. I will call you.I am removing your telephone number from comment 🙂