Moka has the right climate – neither too warm nor too cold – for growing plants, especially roses. Harry Seenauth, who has established a reputation as a first-rate horticulturist in the region, shares with us his passion for every garden’s crown jewels.
The flower whisperer
Just like every morning for the past 18 years, Harry starts his day at 6am with a walk around his greenhouse. He never tires of taking care of his plants, which are a great source of pride for him. Now aged 55, this resident of Moka had initially chosen a career in mechanical and electrical engineering. However Harry realised that working on the land was his calling. “It’s in my blood!” he says. He actually inherited his love for plants from his father, who had himself inherited it from his father; it runs in the family and he now shares his passion with his wife and two sons. It’s his wife who runs their charming flower shop, Harry Flowers Centre on Bourbon Street in Port Louis.
The visit continues into his greenhouse, where an explosion of colours awaits us. There are flowers for every taste and for all occasions: carnations, gerberas, gladioli, gypsophila… But if there’s something in the garden that catches the eye, it’s the area dedicated to rose bushes. There are no less than 300 types of roses there, each one as fascinating as the next. “I have no preference. To me, they are all equally beautiful,” he says.
A great place for growing roses
Moka is a lush green region with plenty of plots of land dedicated to plant cultivation, including Harry’s. The climate is ideal; it is not as warm as in Port Louis nor as cold as in Curepipe. The heart of the island has a very pleasant temperature. According to Harry, it was his grandfather who started off flower cultivation in the area at the time. Driven by his passion, Harry has followed in the steps of his grandfather that he unfortunately didn’t get the chance to know.
The expert’s advice
When he’s not busy tending to his garden, Harry carries out his role as President of the Mauritius Horticultural Society. He takes part in exhibition sales across the island with his colleagues and conducts learning workshops on plant cultivation that delight curious minds. Roses bloom throughout the year, but they need pampering to facilitate their spread. Green-thumb Harry shares three simple and effective tips with you to help you grow your own rose garden:
• It is essential to schedule watering for the early morning hours. Rose leaves do not tolerate water after dark.
• Roses like the sun. Avoid planting them in the shade of trees or against a wall.
• To naturally control parasites such as aphids, try 100% organic neem oil.
To learn more about rose cultivation in Moka and discover his flowery world, Harry invites you to visit his greenhouse from Monday through Sunday. That’s right, there’s no rest for the enthusiasts!
