In Martín Zapién ’s hometown in Central Mexico , Ne - cerise genus Celosia and marigold – known as “ cempatsuchitl ” in Mexico – impregnate the side of roads . As the season change , resident piece these flowers and employ them to adorn altars for Día de los Muertos , the Mexican festivity to remember and honor the lives of those who have become flat . reveler think have it away ones who have passed can visit from the afterlife during the celebration .
Zapién , a Ph.D. bookman at the University of Florida ’s horticultural sciences department , and his colleagues want to land the joy and kinship of Día de los Muertos to UF ’s campus , he said .
He and a squad go to work to plant Celosia and marigolds in the horticultural sciences ’ battleground , and presently , blooms of Gators - orange marigolds and velvet - subdued celosias give a burst of colour the field . The blooms were harvested and used for a traditional altar , an “ ofrenda , ” in Fifield Hall .
The ofrenda at Fifield Hall is adorn with a walkway of marigold petals and bulbs in the front and deck with two photo of love one , paint guardian animal statues called “ alebrijes , ” a autumn pumpkin with traditional skull front rouge and food as gifts for the deceased .
Zapién said he felt abide by that the university has been so embracing of his idea to make for his civilisation to his peers . As an external student , he said , it ’s been heartwarming to see part of his base embraced on campus .
“ I feel that this initiative has been very welcome , ” he state . “ This is just one way to show that you go . ”
marigold are used to make a carpet of petal from the ofrenda to take the gone back to the living public , but in nature they help control pests and other organism that harm plants . Marigolds keep away nematodes , very small worms , by excreting a chemical compound in their roots that is a natural repellant to the plant - eat pest , said Zack Black , farm managing director for UF ’s horticultural sciences department .
The flowers were set in July and move into the field of view in August . The plan for the flowers is to gather the come from the marigolds and genus Celosia to grow again next yr , he said . Dried celosias may be used to embellish Fifield Hall for other holidays like Thanksgiving .
Zapién said it was crucial to bring Día de los Muertos to campus because everyone deserve to fete their deceased be intimate ones and to tip into feeling of inheritance and residential area .
“ Día de los Muertos is a way to make us feel like people who have left us have never really left , ” he say .
He said the sweet-flavored scent of marigolds and celosias , mixed with incense and fix food , makes up an iconic smell for Día de los Muertos . “ It ’s a smell that play joy instead of sadness . ”
Source : ifas.ufl.edu
