Last week I had to make a choice between relocating my Jasmine tree or my Curry Leaves tree. They were both thriving but in the near future, if I don’t do something about it, they will be competing for the same nutrients, soil, water and sunlight. They grew so well that I have failed to anticipate that the space they are in – is not enough.

Which one of them is more important to me?

The one ‘more important’ get’s to stay where they are whereas the other one will have to be dug up and relocated. With a risk of it dying during the process. The Jasmine flower, if my memory served me correctly, was a plant I bought from Shopee at least 3 to 5 years ago. At the time, I wanted something fragrant to be put into my green tea. I also wanted something in my garden that smells sweet. Something that reminds me of gracefulness yet sturdy. There was a time when it was stunted and it just did not want to grow until I placed it in the current soil. That was when the leaves started turning green and soon enough more branches were sprouting from the original tree. So far a few buds were already out, waiting for the time to just bloom in full force.

The curry tree was originally in a pot. Then, I de-potted it and placed it on the ground. To my amazement, the tree began to grow from the height of just my calf to now above the knee. In fact, new branches are erupting so freely that the leaves were becoming so bushy. I have been plucking the leaves for my curry, cucur and buttermilk chicken dishes. The smell itself is so aromatic that sometimes I’d just walk past, so that I could smell the fragrance which brings on the meaning of a home-cooked meal.

My final choice

I kept my Jasmine tree and relocated my curry tree. The Jasmine tree to me was a plant very close to my heart. There is something very personal about it. Furthermore, I believe that the curry leaves tree will somehow survive it all. It is a strong, spicy tree. Of course, it is currently dying but I believe with time, given the right motivation, it will grow sturdy again.