JP Lieutenant JG Ras El'Heem & Ensign Juliet Banks - Tropism Pt. 2
Ras El'Heem
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DATE: 240207.07
RECIPIENT: Ensign Juliet Banks [NL-337-050]
SUBJECT: RE: Requesting Botany advice
MESSAGE:
Ensign Banks,
Of course. Happy to help. The Khitomer crew sort of has a reputation for a work hard, play hard mentality. I had seen that you came aboard just before the last mission, so you see what kind of stress we are under. You’ll get used to it. The Alpha Isles come with a bit more risk than other postings, but because of this, we seem to bond quickly.
There is a Kressari plant from Sylvana Prime that would fare well. They are usually hard to source outside of the Kalandra system, but I think I can get you one. Lethvora talsenya. It is a small rather squat fern-like plant that will do well in your quarters. It will take some time to get it, but I will let you know when I have received one.
I am happy to see you are being careful but you are slightly mistaken. Zamioculcas zamiifolia has no known allergy causing compounds, however it does contain calcium oxalate crystals that can be irritating to the skin and eyes.You are partially right though, those with sensitive skin can have a reaction. I will have Chief Ohnari notate it in your medical file.
In regards to your question about the Sansevieria trifasciata, the Laurentii cultivar can grow up to 120cm tall and would do well in a floor pot.
If you are indeed interested in becoming more learned in botany, I would be happy to help set up a grow system in your quarters, but I will warn you that it is a slippery slope. Soon you will be knee deep in greenery!
| Should I just look for standard soil (potting mix? Is that the right thing?) at DS33, or are there better growth mediums for a shipboard environment?
This is an astute question! These two plants require a different composition of substrate to one another. Sansevieria trifasciata is very prone to root rot and requires a well draining soil. I would recommend a proportion of soil composition as follows:
50% inorganic material such as sand or perlite.
25% organic material such as composted bark, peat moss, or coco coir.
25% standard potting soil
And a 10 or 20 grams of an additive such as charcoal or lava rock
The Epipremnum aureum requires a more aerated but more water retentive soil:
75% standard potting soil
20% orchid bark
5% coco coir (by volume, or about 25 grams)
I hope this helps, feel free to reach out with any more questions. If you do end up going to the Arboretum, either here or on the space station, please report back on what you find.
Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem
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DATE: 240207.08
RECIPIENT: Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem [RE-080-999]
SUBJECT: RE: Requesting Botany advice
MESSAGE:
Hello Lieutenant El’Heem,
I definitely see what you mean about the stress of the Alpha Isles, that was quite a first mission. If I’m candid I was quite nervous coming to the Khitomer, it being my first posting and a shipful of strangers, but honestly I’ve been met with nothing but kindness and support, and I’m very appreciative.
Thank you for the kind offer of a plant – yes I would love a Lethvora talsenya! I looked it up in the reference database and it does look quite easy to care for aboard ship, and the bright leaves are very attractive. I was interested to see the database said some species find it has a pleasing smell; are humans amongst the lucky species in that regard?
And thank you for the correction regarding the Zamioculcas; I must have misunderstood the reference material. I’ve never had any real problems with sensitive skin, so I should be okay with the ZZ Plant, so I can pop it back on the list of future possibilities. (My allergies have mostly been histamine reactions to dander on several animals commonly kept as pets on Earth and the Moon, particularly dogs and cats. Although I understand Lieutenant Zerva has a dog, and I haven’t noticed any reaction in his presence, so perhaps I should ask Doctor Ohnari for a new allergy workup. Cat-petting might be back in my future again!)
| In regards to your question about the Sansevieria trifasciata, the Laurentii cultivar can grow up to 120cm tall and would do well in a floor pot.
Perfect – so I could have a Sanseviera trifasciata Laurentii and move it to a floor pot once it’s large enough, an Epipremnum aureum for my shelves, and eventually a Lethvora talsenya on the desk. (Out of curiosity, does the Lethvora have a colloquial or common name among the Kressari?)
Thank you for the info about the growth substrates for each plant; I’ll make sure to get some of each. And a grow system sounds good, but I don’t want to overcommit too early – are there basic systems that aren’t too elaborate? (Honestly, knee deep in greenery doesn’t sound like a bad thing!)
I wanted to ask about the Arboretum on the Khitomer actually; who’s responsible for it? My cadet cruise was on a ship with a small Arboretum but I was so busy I hardly ever spent time there. So I’m not really sure about the protocols for doing anything other than just sitting in it enjoying the ambience – is it permitted to take cuttings or soil? (I assume not, or at least not without limits?)
Despite the fact that we live on Deck 14, practically next door to it, I haven’t really explored the Arboretum yet – I’ve been doing a bit of ship exploring while we’re in dock and I’m not getting in people’s way, just learning the layout and the systems so I know where everything is in a crisis. I’m trying to be thorough, but there’s a lot of Khitomer to cover!
What do you enjoy doing on Shore Leave? Any recommendations for things I shouldn’t miss before we leave? (On that note, if you’re looking for a good meal and the Mellow Mushroom didn’t completely turn you off, I can recommend their aubergine parmigiana – it’s hard to cook without making it soggy, but theirs was delicious.)
Thanks again,
Ensign Juliet Banks
P.S. I’m mindful of our relative ranks but if it’s not inappropriate off-duty please feel free to call me Juliet if you prefer informality.
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DATE: 240207.08
RECIPIENT: Ensign Juliet Banks [NL-337-050]
SUBJECT: RE: Requesting Botany advice
MESSAGE:
Attachment: ↯ Nebula Magazine, 2401, Vol. 404 (1)
Juliet,
You may call me Ras, then, although I will still request you address me as your superior when we are on duty.
You will get used to the strangers. There are frequent comings and goings and it becomes more normal the longer you’re an officer. Glad you are settling in well.
| I was interested to see the database said some species find it has a pleasing smell; are humans amongst the lucky species in that regard?
Juliet, do you have any experience with Pinus ponderosa on earth? There is an old tradition there to scratch the bark of the Ponderosa Pine when you are out on a hike. It has a smell like vanilla or butterscotch. The Lethvora talsenya has a very similar scent, although more subtle. I believe you will have to judge for yourself if you like it. It can vary between individuals, not just species.
| (Out of curiosity, does the Lethvora have a colloquial or common name among the Kressari?)
It has a Kressari name that I would roughly translate as “Pocket Fern”
As for the grow system, I would not put you in over your head. We’ll start with something basic. I won’t even need to requisition engineering for spare parts.
| I wanted to ask about the Arboretum on the Khitomer actually; who’s responsible for it?
Funny you mention that. The Science department is in charge of its maintenance. With my transfer, I hope to assume responsibility myself as the foremost botanist aboard the Khitomer. Once I’ve settled in to my new posting, we can visit together and I can teach you some things. I’ve recently come to realize not all Chief Botanists are created equal. On a recent visit to an arboretum I will not name, someone had the audacity to graft Andreaea rupestris to a tree as if it was epiphytic! Can you believe it? It won’t last a month!
I usually do much more on shore leave. Time before last, I wrote a research paper that got published in Nova Magazine. If you’d like to read it, I’ve attached it here. It led to my election to a medical research committee project after the Frontier Day incident. I can give any details as it is confidential as of now but that’s actually where I met Dr. Alix Harford before her transfer here. I haven’t yet met with her since her transfer. I’ve been meaning to do that.
I do enjoy cooking as well and would usually spend some of my time developing recipes. That will not likely occur this shore leave, and I’m sure you can imagine why. I will not harp on the subject, to spare you the guilt trip.
Deep Space 33 has fewer amenities than other stations I’ve been to, but there are still things to do. There are two relaxation establishments, Kai Wynn and Jaresh-Inyo that I have heard good things about, although I have not patronized them myself. There is also an observatory that is unmatched. The absence of large celestial bodies in close proximity to the station provides wonderful viewing conditions.
Regards,
Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem
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DATE: 240207.09
RECIPIENT: Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem [RE-080-999]
SUBJECT: RE: Requesting Botany advice
MESSAGE:
Hello Ras,
You may call me Ras, then, although I will still request you address me as your superior when we are on duty.
Thank you, and of course; I wouldn’t dream of being insubordinate on duty.
Truth be told, I had to stop myself writing ‘sir’ there anyway – I got laughed at for three months on the Remillard for the time I bumped into a conduit pipe in the dark and said “sorry sir” reflexively. One of my fellow cadets kept sneaking into my quarters and sticking fake rank pips on bits of furniture for weeks afterwards.
I’ve never actually been hiking on Earth, I’m sorry to say. I had a friend in the Academy who enjoyed hiking on a lot of their breaks, but I mostly went home to New Berlin to see my parents. We did live on Earth when I was younger, but in London – no pine trees there. (Not many trees at all, actually, though I have a vague childhood memory that the parks near our flat were nice.) But I like both vanilla and butterscotch, so I think the Lethvora will be nice.
As for the grow system, I would not put you in over your head. We’ll start with something basic. I won’t even need to requisition engineering for spare parts.
That sounds excellent then, and I will say “yes please” with gratitude.
I should have realised that you’ll be closely involved with the Arboretum, and I’d enjoy the chance to see it through your eyes. I looked up Andreaea rupestris after reading your last message, and it’s a very striking-looking moss, but isn’t it supposed to live on rockfaces? Why on earth would a botanist graft it to a tree?
Thank you for the link to your research paper; I’m looking forward to reading that. I had hoped to read it before responding, actually, but I know it’s going to take some focus and I’m supposed to be going out shortly. I wasn’t expecting to be quite so social this shore leave – I have a huge pile of PADDs with study material that I’ve hardly made a start on.
I’m glad to hear the Observatory is a good one; I had already planned to visit, though I haven’t been yet. I’m no kind of astronomer myself but it’s a bit of a sentimental ritual for my family to always stop in if we’re near an observatory or planetarium. And if these stars are going to be my home for a while, it would be good to see them at their best.
So you’re another of the Khitomer’s keen cooks – Lieutenant Semara mentioned the crew were generally “foodie”. I might have to learn to cook just to fit in! I have to admit (I’m not sure if this is a grave offense on the Khitomer) that I actually don’t mind replicated food at all. I know people say it’s repetitive or there’s something missing, but I’ve honestly never been able to tell. Which is probably lucky for me, I suppose. Not to say I don’t enjoy ‘real’ cooked food, of course, but at least for me what makes it special is the care and effort the cook has put into it, or the chance to try something new.
Anyway, I must dash or I’m going to be late. I hope your evening is enjoyable too!
Regards,
Juliet
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DATE: 240207.11
RECIPIENT: Ensign Juliet Banks [NL-337-050]
SUBJECT: Grow System
MESSAGE:
Ensign Banks,
I have sent the plans for your grow system to engineering. They should be able to help you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your shoreleave.
Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem
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TBC
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Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem
Science Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
K240106RE3
and
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Ensign Juliet BanksHCO Officer
USS Khitomer
K240206JB1