Ruhsara Bashimova grows houseplants in her greenhouse year-round. The experienced gardener lives in the village of Magtymguly, Bitik gengeshlik, Farab etrap, Lebap velayat, and has dedicated her entire life to flowers.

Ruhsara developed a love for houseplants at the Seyitnazar Seydi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute, where she studied in the Chemistry and Biology Department. She then spent some time growing them as part of her work at the Young Naturalists Club in Ashgabat, where she was assigned a greenhouse. Together with the members of the circle, she grew various plants and flowers there. Returning to her native village with her husband, Rukhsara went to teach chemistry and biology at the village school, while her husband found work as an agronomist on the collective farm. The couple built a greenhouse on the plot next to their home. Rukhsara and her husband devoted all their free time to caring for their exotic houseplants.

While in her greenhouse, you can study the geography of the world, because each bush here represents a country.

-Look at these ficus trees, - says Ruhsara. "Their leaves come in dark green, red, and even khaki-colored Bengal varieties. These plants are common in tropical countries, but I received their seeds from Holland. They belong to the mulberry family and grow up to twenty-five meters tall in the wild. What you see here are ornamental varieties that are in high demand among those who want to create a microclimate and beauty in their home or office.

Her greenhouse is home to alocasia (elephant ear), oleander, schefflera, crassula, palm, zamioculcas, rosemary, China roses, aloe, almond, rhododendron, lemon balm… She brought her seeds from Russia and China. She herself has visited Uzbekistan, Türkiye, and Iran, returning with ornamental plant seeds.

Over 40 years of flower growing, Rukhsara has acquired regular customers from Turkmenabat, Kerki, Ashgabat, Turkmenbashy, and Mary. Flower shop sellers, businesses, institutions, and individuals purchase her plants.

Now, another greenhouse on her plot is planted with Chinese roses, which, by all accounts, will bloom by early March, meaning many women in the region will receive flowers grown by caring hands as gifts on March 8.

Source: Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper