November 7, 2020
The whole world was moving at such a fast pace. Higher-rising buildings and bigger malls started popping up, people were roaming the streets and there were parties every night, and the population just kept booming!
We didn’t want to stop – but COVID-19 happened.
We stopped building condos, we closed the malls, there were less vehicles on the streets, we canceled all the events, and people stayed at home. People were forced to slow down, and we didn’t know what to do or how to handle it.
There was one thing we did do though, and that was returning to our roots.
Words by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
Communities have been pushed by the pandemic to evolve and adapt to a new normal in order to survive. Something that used to be as simple as going outside, now comes with a variety of health protocols and certain requirements or limitations. | Photo and text by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
One of the many things that this pandemic has produced, is the growing community of Plantitas and Plantitos. (Both puns intended). A portmanteau of plant and tita (aunt) or tito (uncle), as they are the guardians and caretakers of their green babies. | Photo and text by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
Every Plantita and Plantito each have different preferences when it comes to plants - varying from flowers, indoor plants, cacti, even herbs and vegetables. Others even have special interests in exotic plants like Venus flytraps and much more. | Photo and text by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
Stuck at home with nothing to do all day, people are finding themselves obsessed with collecting, nursing, caring for, and appreciating plants - awakening all the green thumbs that were and all that were yet to be. | Photo and text by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
Being a Plantita or Plantito requires a lot of hard work and research. Some plants require more sunlight, some only need little water, some prefer open spaces, some only thrive in cooler temperatures, and much more. It's like allergies with kids, only your kids are your plant babies. | Photo and text by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
With the lock downs, import of goods and produce in markets or groceries are limited. As a Plantita or Plantito, however, we can have our herbs and produce straight from our gardens. Now, that is as fresh as we can get them! | Photo and text by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
In the spirit of community, having mini gardens right in our homes give us the opportunity to share our plants and produce to our families, friends, and neighbors. Plants and vegetables are even being traded in the Barter Community. | Photo and text by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
In more ways than one, being a Plantita or Plantito is good for the environment. Recycling coffee grounds, eggshells, and fruit peels by mixing them into the soil or using rice water to water your plants in order to give them more nutrients. With this, almost nothing is ever put to waste! | Photo and text by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
Other than the food or products themselves, their bottles and containers can also be recycled as pots, nurseries for seedlings, and such. It truly lessens the effects that single-use packaging cause in our society – going straight to the dumps, our sidewalks, and our sewage systems. | Photo and text by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
More plants mean more oxygen, and more oxygen is good for the ozone layer in which we have severely damaged with all our pollution. In little but collective ways, we are giving back to our environment instead of adding to its destruction. Giving the planet more time to rest and more time to breathe. | Photo and text by Alessandra Sophia L. Diaz
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