31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13: 31-32
On 29th June 2024, a group of orchid curious and orchid enthusiasts gathered for an informative walk led by BGST alumni Tim Wing at the National Orchid Garden. The garden is nested in Singapore Botanical Gardens, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site. Dr Yam Tim Wing is a veteran orchid researcher-writer involved in conserving and breeding orchids.
(Aranda Lee Kuan Yew)
There were many interesting new learning points for me as a green novice: I have very non-green fingers, having lost air plants, terrariums, cacti and other so-called hardy plant. Tim Wing highlighted several interesting orchids including the orchid named after Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Aranda Lee Kuan Yew) and also another orchid hybrid named after Mrs Lee (Vanda Kwa Geok Choo) [1]. There were many orchids also featured other “VIP Orchids”, reminding me of our history and current context.
(Vanda Kwa Geok Choo)
Tim Wing also educated us on the various types of orchids and I realized there are indeed various uses of the many types of orchids. Some make good house plants, some can be eaten (vanilla ice cream!) while some have healing properties.
The point that struck me most was how small orchid seeds are. These seeds are in fact like dust! When I saw the orchids that these specks of seeds grow into, I was moved by the smallness of the seeds, the small beginnings.
(Small Orchid Seeds)
As one who is relatively new in social work education with giants working alongside me, I often feel small. The smallness of the orchids remind me of the potential and possibilities. I just need feed this plant the right things and be in the right environment. How the seed looks to our naked eyes really has little to do with its final state. Though the seed does have a huge impact on the final state. What kind of seed am I? What am I feeding myself?
Written by: Sophie Cheng
Sophie Cheng is a social work educator. She is currently a member of the BGST Collective (Alumni Resource Team) and she worships at Kingdomcity.
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