Green Thumb by Khai

Green Thumb by Khai - September 2024 Scholarship Essay

Nature is my classroom and I am the teacher. Each time I step outside I learn something new; about the dark clouds, the condensation on the leaves, and the bugs I’ve never seen before. I crave more than what a simple biology or chemistry textbook can teach me. Recently, I've developed a passion for nurturing plants. It fascinates me how the soil and the roots from my Monstera Deliciosa soak up the water. I often find myself wondering how the plant forms its notable holes in each new leaf. Horticulture classes are not offered at my school but my love for plants continues to grow even if I’m the only one tending to it. This passion has sparked a deep curiosity to learn how I can nurture my plants to their fullest potential through independent study.

The minute I brought it home I was off to research how to best take care of my plant. A simple Google search helped me find that there are three important things to keep in mind when caring for a Monstera: keep it in indirect sunlight, use the bottom-watering method, and only water it when the soil is visibly dry. I’ve lived by these rules ever since, of course. While these simple tips helped me get started in my horticulture hobby, my curiosity grew. I asked myself questions like what temperature should the water be? Is tap water fine or should I collect rainwater? What do unhealthy leaves look like? When should I upgrade it to a larger pot to prevent the roots from crowding? With no one around to answer these questions, I took the initiative and spent days researching, even sneaking in some reading during class downtime.

Independent research has been beneficial for me. It allows me to explore any topic I want in greater depth. It doesn’t confine me to a certain path of learning and I get to enjoy the things I research. Since caring for my Monstera, I’ve realized that independent study is my favorite way to explore and engage with topics that captivate me.