Thursday, January 22, 2009

Desert Island Challenge

Shirl is doing a meme about what three plants you would want with you on a desert island, with the caveat that the food crops are already available, you don't have to worry about the climate, and any plant will grow.

I'm such a practical sort that my first choice would be a large bamboo plant (though it might already be available since people do eat bamboo shoots). I could construct fences, houses, furniture frames to make my life more comfortable. I could make wind chimes and flutes to feed my soul. I could make fish spears to supplement my diet. I can't come up with a more useful plant. Plus I love the look of bamboo groves.

My second choice would be rattan (one of the thinner species) to be used for basket weaving, ties for my bamboo construction, comfortable seating, even carpets. The berries also make a nice peach dye. It isn't a pretty plant, it is just practical, but hard to beat for its usefulness.

I thought about using my third choice for some clothing, if I did it would be flax (cotton is much harder to process by hand), but I decided to pick a frivilous plant that would make me smile. Flowers are wonderful, but to me the scent of a plant is much more important. I grow box in my garden just so I can brush by it and smell it. No, box is not my pick. Jasmine is my pick. It is one of my favorite scents and I can't grow it here in the north, so I'll put it on my island.

21 comments:

  1. Lovely choices Daphne, like you I chose Bamboo, ummm - I didn't think about clothes ...
    Jasmine is also a delightful choice, scent is so important.
    K

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  2. Oh, jasmine is perfect! It just shouts tropical island to me. I didn't even know there was a plant rattan, just thought it was another kind of bamboo. Maybe that would give you another choice? It sounds like you would know how to build great stuff with your first two choices, but like to know that you see the wisdom of all work and no play! :-)
    Frances

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  3. Oh yeah, I forgot about Jasmine, great pick.

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  4. Great choices Daphne it wasn't an easy task. I'm glad that we already have our veggies on the island for me that's enough actually. What could possibly be more lovely and beautiful than the Brassicas.

    Tyra

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  5. A few others have picked bamboo too. Interesting to me. You must be very industrious-like Frances-to want to make crafts on a deserted island. I think all I'd do is sleep!

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  6. Karen, lol yup I don't think anyone has picked clothing producers yet. I think I've been the practical person. I obviously need to grow more flowers in my garden ;>

    Frances, actually all my plants are tropical island plants. Strange that I picked only those. I didn't try. Actually there is lots of play. I'm a beadweaver by trade and I swear it isn't work. It is play. Rattan weaving ought to be just as fun.

    Darla, thanks. I so wish I could grow jasmine in my garden here.

    Tyra, that would be much harder, picking veggies instead. The worst part would be what to leave behind.

    Tina, I actually get bored really easily. My husband and I travel to the Caribbean occasionally. I can't stand sitting on the beach. I want to be snorkeling or hiking. Talking would be fine, but my husband is not the loquacious type, so I definitely want something to do.

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  7. Hi! Hasn't this been a most interesting experience...viewing what other bloggers have chosen? I haven't a very practical side (!) so I am hoping that you are on the same island or within swimming distance! I would love to learn to weave and bead! Love your choices btw!

    gail

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  8. Interesting choices. You are going to be very busy, especially when everyone else realises they are going to need clothes and chairs (lol)

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  9. Great choices Daphne. And, really, how much clothing do you need on a desert island anyway? ;)

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  10. Gail, sure anyone can join as long as they help weave. ;>

    easygardener, busy is good, but I'm sure some would help me out at least if they really want a chair.

    Michelle, I think it depends upon who is with me on the island. Then again without my SPF lotion, you may want quite a bit of light gauzy clothing.

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  11. Great choices Daphne! I didn't even think about practical plants to have on hand. :) You are too clever!

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  12. Hi there Daphne, sorry my ship was delayed by a few hours ;-)

    We need some practical people too! The bigger the mix the merrier ;-)

    Ah, we are together on the bamboo for the first choice. I had thought I might build a tree house up in my cherry tree with mine ;-) I love your frivolous plant! Excellent choice, the scent is wonderful and perfect for the Island. Nice to meet you through this :-D

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  13. I can almost smell the jasmine! I can see your bamboo hut from my island!

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  14. Wonderful choices! I can smell the jasmine and hear the bamboo clicking in the wind. This was such a fun challenge!

    Karrita

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  15. PerennialGardener, thanks.

    Shirl, a ship? Does that mean I can get off the island?

    Layanee, since our islands are so close, maybe I can make a raft and visit some day.

    Karrita, It was pretty fun. Maybe I took the fun a little out of it by being practical, but it does show you a little of the personalities of the writers.

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  16. Another person being practical! I chose medicine for my "thinking ahead"!

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  17. Dawn I definitely want to share my island with you, or have you close enough to raft over to. I didn't think of that part until I saw echinacea as some people's picks. I was thinking when I saw them that it would be a very good plant to have around.

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  18. Practical & sensory choices, I like the idea that you would be making lots of things out of the Bamboo. I never considered including anything practical. I just want to look at my plants while sipping a large, fruity drink from my hammock. (This is a fantasy after all.)

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  19. Mr. McGregor's Daughter, I'll tell you what. You bring me those fruity drinks and I'll weave you a hammock ;>

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  20. I'm glad someone practical is going to be on this island! The rest of us would be admiring all the lovely flowers, sitting on the hot sand and wondering where we were going to sleep at night:)
    The smell of jasmine sounds heavenly; it might help us forget we were stranded.

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  21. Well, lets all hope that in this little game we are all on the island at the same time- in this case, I'm glad someone is practical! Can I borrow some clothes, please? If we're not than I'm perfectly happy using a few leaves that might already be there or just run around in my birthday suit :)- thanks for dropping by!

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