My neighbours' good will

Some neighbors are nice.   Below are some of the plants my neighbours (an indian lady and a chinese lady) ; they live across the road, passed to me. Some came in cuttings, some came as baby plants.

 One day,  the neigbour gave me this baby plant consisting of a tiny bulb and one stalk of leaf.  She said she was re-potting her plant and found this baby plant growing beside the mother plant, and  would I like  to have it.  I was  very taken by the deep green glossy leaf which is heart shaped.   Well the plant grows slowly and right now I have 4 stalks of leaves and this is after 4 months of tender loving care!   After some checking around in the internet, I found out that this plant is called "Proiphys amboinensis" (Caldwell Lily or Christmas Lily). Apparently like most bulbous plants this plant is not a  good bloomer. My neighbour  said she has never seen the plant  bloom despite having it for years,. Some gardeners in their blog state they have never seen their cardwell lily bloomed before, while others were  lucky to see the bloom in six to eight years period! Well, bloom or no bloom the glossy huge green leaves are attractive enough to charm any  beholder . Apparently  the flowers come in white clusters, very attractive looking from the pictures I see in the internet.  It will be interesting to see if this plant will ever bloom for me. According to the internet source, the flowers will bloom around  Nov/Dec period, perhaps that is why the other common name for it is 'Christmas Lily'.

The miniature red  crown of thorns.  The small deep red flowers are cute. It has been been blooming ever since I planted it.  This crown of thorns is easily propagated by a short cutting ( about 4 inches or so). Please read my other blog  on this plant.

Ti plants or cordylines are grown for their foliage. The plant looks rather serene and graceful with the dropping long leaves. My neighbor gave this plant to me as exchange for a jasmine plant that I gave her.  I planted it on the ground under some shade as it was growing too big for the pot. It kinda of add a tropical look to the garden. No care is required for this plant. It is growing happily in the spot I put it.  Recently me neighbor gave me a miniature plant of the same species. Well they look the same  to me anyway.  This miniature plant seems rather happy in its small pot and did not seemed to show much growth unlike the first plant that was given to me which grew by leaps and bounds within a short period.The leaves are shorter and more pointed.

When my neighbor trimmed her plants, she gave me the cuttings of this plant. This herbaceous plant grew easily from the cuttings. In two weeks or so, it was spouting new leaves. The plant is so colorful and easy to care. This plant is called Coleus Blumei or the Rainbow Plant  (pokok pelangi) . So far I have not noticed any pest disturbing the plant.  In a container, it looks good.

Snowball Alternanthera is the common name of this plant. The botanical name is Alternanthera ficoidea 'Snowball'.   The 'Snowball’ is  very eye-catching  When I saw my neigbour trimming the plant, I asked for the discards. I used some root hormone and pretty soon I have so many of these plants.  The light green leaves have highly varied markings in pale cream' /whitish, ranging from streaks and broad blotches . I noted some pink tint on the new leaves, and some of the leaves can be entirely pale cream. I am a sucker for plants with variegated leaves.  This plant bears small white flowers, nothing to shout about. I thought of using these plants as edgings.  So far they are happy where I plant them, in partial shade below the gardenia bush. When I have more of these plants, I will plant them as a  circle around the gardenia bush. 

I was growing a kampong roselle plant that grew very big but never flowered, so no fruits., even after half a year or more. It was bushy and robust.  My neighbour took pity on me, and gave me four baby  Roselle plant. More of this interesting  plant in the next blog. 

I am not sure what is the name of this plant. Note the baby plant shooting out from the main stem (?those thin rods,  can see two of them in this picture)  The green colour of the leaves are very pleasing to the eye.  This plant grows fast.

The leaves of these plants are not unlike butterflies....the stems are abit sticky to the touch. I like this plant alot, and I think it helps to scare away pests especially those that attack my jasmine sambac. So these days I like to twine this creeper to the jasmine sambac plant. So far so good.

Gosh this is a rather long blog....I need a rest. More next time.....!

Peacock Flower Tree (Caesalpinia Pulcherrima)

This tree must be one of the most beautiful tropical flowering plant, with its light green pinnate  leaves and flamboyant flowers that bloomed all year round.  I have the reddish orange-yellow and jgolden yellow variety. There is another variety, pink-scarlet which is not so common, but  I have seen all three varieties grown along the northern parts of the North-South Highway. 

These plants can grow very tall, but with careful pruning it can be groomed as small bushy shrubs. However watch out for the thorns when pruning. The peacock flower plant grows easily from seeds. Within a short period, from six to eight months of growth the first buds will appear even when the plant is just slightly over two feet tall! It is an amazing plant indeed. The first spray of buds will appear at the tip of the plant, then smaller sprays may appear.   As the plant branches out, more sprays of flowers will appear. The appearance of the new buds are not very different from the cotton ear buds. The seeds are contained in the beans that will change from green to brown over a period of time.  The bean pods will burst, and scatter the seeds a distance away from the mother plant.   

This plant can stand drought conditions, and do not need much fertilizing. It is a robust plant and grows back easily once  pruned.  The flowers stayed for sometime, and new buds keep appearing as the old ones fade. Once they start flowering, these plants are never without blooms, so it is very rewarding to have this plant in the garden.  The peacock flower plant loves the sun and provides good shade for the smaller plants.

I have yet to see this plant attacked by pests. The seeds are said to be toxic. 

Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch')

I  plucked the dried flower from a plant by the walkway outside of somebody's house compound. The vibrant orange-red flower was so attractive, I thought it would add some color to my garden which at that time consisted mostly of white jasmine and gardenia! From the dried flower I was able to get some seeds.  To my tremendous delight, the seeds sprout easily  once I  covered them with some soil in the garden. The plants grew very well in my garden and in a matter of a couple of months I could see the flower buds forming. For a month or so I enjoyed the flowers, then disaster struck! Apparently aphids and the white mealy bugs also like the plant very much. Initially I used some chemicals to spray but  these pests seemed to multiply so fast once the plant grew old and weaker. I  was reluctant to  use chemicals, so with a heavy heart I pulled out the plants even though there were still blooms and buds on the plant. I did not want these pests to attack my chili plant.

I sowed some seeds outside my garden compound and  surprisingly the plants grew very well in less fertile conditions. The plants will  flower very well or a month or so, then the attack from the pests  will come. However, to my surprise, I was  delighted to see beautiful butterflies coming as well.

Yes this  plant with its bountiful flowers is a charmer.  I noticed people in the neighborhood, during their evening walks stopped to admire the flowers.

Crepe Ginger

This spiral ginger plant is nice to touch. The leaves feel soft, furry and velvety to the touch. It is a beautiful plant that one can easily fall in love with. The leaves are arranged gracefully as they spiral up the herbaceous reddish brown stalk. Since the plant I have is the variegated type,  the plant seems more special with the white and pale green leaves.   The foliage is attractive and tropical looking even  from afar. 

The flowers are an added bonus,  being pure  white and  being rather conspicuous in size yet delicate looking like crepe paper, all crinkled up.  Every day one or two blooms (or more) will appear on the cone that appears on the tip of the stalk.   When all the flowers have bloomed, and  faded away, the strange looking but attractive red cone-shaped bracts remain. This is the cue for me to cut it off.

This plant has a visitor whenever it flowers. Without fail when the sunlight comes through, this fat little black fella appears! With a buzzing sound (announcing its arrival), it goes straight to greet its host.

Now it has its breakfast and ready to depart. Goodbye....until the next morning, same time!

Bougainvillea

The 'Bunga Kertas" ( translation : Paper Flower) is grown everywhere in Malaysia as it is such an easy plant to grow, being fuss free as well. Initially I did not to have anything to do with the bougainvillea as I dislike those nasty thorns, but who can resists this so attractive and colorful plant? Not me.  The texture of the flowers is actually  like paper, thin, dry and crispy. 

My mother used to have a wide collection of these plants, ranging from all sorts of colors including those variegated ones. (batik leaves).  Unfortunately some of them did not bloom too well as her  house was partially shaded. The bougainvillea  actually  thrives under direct sunlight. With enough sunlight they will  bloom frequently as well.  We used to think my mother did not put enough blooming fertilizer since they hardly ever bloomed, except some odd  one here and there, nothing spectacular despite some pruning. Well after using  much fertilizer and little rewards, we have to blame the lack of sunlight for her plants!

The three types of bougainvillea that I have right now are actually grown from cuttings obtained from my mother's plants.  Just take a cuttings of 4 - 6 inches, and stick them into some well drain soil, and new leaves will soon be sprouting out with ease.  With some root hormone the process may be hastened, but  the results are just as good without them. Place the cuttings under shade initially, keep them moist  until the roots develop. When they are look healthy enough, transfer them to the areas where they are exposed to  more sunlight. My cuttings bloomed under a six month period and after  a year plus this is how  one of them  looked like (see below) !  Yes, a towering giant !  (No - lah,  just the illusion created by the photographer, aka daughter).  I planted this plant on the ground and did not expect it to grow so big, so fast actually....of course I have since trim it, but it kept sprouting new growth. Well,  I plan to groom it into a shady umbrella, and perhaps incorporate other colors through  grafting gradually.

One thing I learn about this plant is  not  to over water it.  Just got to let  the soil in pot dry out a bit before watering. It seems to flourish better without too much water.  Too much water it will sulk, like what happens recently when there was so much rainwater.  Once the weather is drier, the blooms are all appearing again. 

The above picture is one good example of the bougainvillea that refused to flower much at my mother's place, so I was pleasantly surprised to see it bloom so regularly as well as note  the amazing compactness of the blooms at my place. This plant gets a heavy dosage of sunshine in the mornings, being planted just outside of the house compound.

Jatropha Podagrica

This plant is also known by its common name the  Buddha belly plant or  gout plant.  It is rather exotic looking, with the broad odd shaped leaves sprouting  from top of  the gouty stem that is shaped like a Chinese rice wine bottle.  The flowers are orange colour and unlike any normal flowers., although attractive in its own way.  The green beans you see in the picture (below) are actually the seed pods. Once they ripen, the  beans will turn brown and eventually burst, spraying the seeds as far as they can go.  The baby plant will emerge soon after.  This plant grows easily and hardly need any care. Watering can be done  less frequently as the plant can withstand drought condition for some time.

The earliest memory I have of this plant was my mother used to plant it just by the side of the old house. It grew rather tall (maybe about  4 or 5 feet ) and seemed  it was like forever there, in my childhood  days  - solid and dependable. Nothing seems to shake it.  Perhaps I like to have this plant in my garden because of this childhood memory. I feel very comfortable with this plant around.   I love it when I spy this plant in other people's garden.  Since they propagate rather fast from the seeds, I find myself having to pull out the baby plants now and then otherwise they will be sprouting all the over the place.  At other times I cut off the seeds before they can ripen. The flowers bloom easily all year round.  Any first time gardener will find this plant easy to care for and since it grows fast, very rewarding to have. One can plant it in the ground or in pots. This plant is non fussy and adapts to its environment.

The plant can grow in a single stem or it might even branch out.  This plant grows well under direct sunlight, but the leaves are smaller and not so dense. However grown under partial shade the leaves are broader , plentiful and looks more exotic.  If one prefers a gouty stem, just keep trimming off the leaves., not to worry one won't kill the plant this way.  The bark on the stem is abit rough like, but the texture is nice looking.  The Buddha Belly (I wonder how it comes by this odd name), is a robust and tough plant to have in the garden.

Citrosa Geranium - The Mosquito Plant

Who doesn't find the pesky mosquito irritating and annoying? I think everyone wants to find the solution to getting rid of these annoying insects.  So when I read that this plant really works, quote : "The Mosquito Plant was created by a Dutch botanist, who genetically incorporated traits of the Chinese citronella grass into a scented African geranium. The resulting cultivars still had the growth and habit of the geranium, and its sweet lemony citronella scent. Citronella is the substance in citronella candles, which have long been used to deter mosquitoes. It doesn't harm them, but they don't like citronella and avoid it. It is most effective as a repellent if you crush a few leaves and rub them on your skin. This releases the citronella and a sweet perfume" unquote, I thought I might give it a try. Some people think this plant is a  another hoax, but there are some who seemed to report that this plant really repels mosquito.

As for me after growing it for about 3 months, I do not see any noticeable difference to the mosquito population but then I doubt one plant can make all the difference.   The plant I bought from the nursery  did not survive,  attacked by some beetle grubs., I think. Luckily I have propagated some small plants (the left hand side is one of them), but they are not mature yet and seem to be struggling to survive under my care.  Too much water, one just fade away, too hot and dry, another just dry up . The nursery guy told me to keep the plant in the shade, and that was what I did, yet the plants do not seemed to be thriving...haiz  ! Well, I am not giving up because if anything I would like to enjoy my garden in the evening without these pesky mosquitoes attacking my legs! I would like to place more these plants, around the orch and balcony even if they are not that effective as I think they are rather ornamental looking. Also I like the scent the plant releases.  But first I must master the technique of caring for them.

Portulaca grandiflora

If you are a new gardener and want to plant something that grows fast and won't go wrong chose the rose moss or Japanese rose.  This is a succulent plant that grows easily without much care required. Just ensure the plant has water and plenty of sun. Yes, it will soon bloom and gosh the blooms will be plentiful once it starts ! Everyday they will bloom, and the blooms can be irresistible as they are so fresh looking. The plant grows fast if it has enough water and sun. The set back is the flowers only open around mid morning when it gets a bit warmer, then by mid afternoon the flower is all about done. The flowers are really pretty under the bright sunlight.

To propagate, all one need to do is pinch about a section of the plant - perhaps about 4 to 5 inches, and stick it into some fresh, well drained soil. The plant takes roots fast enough. If the section you pinch off has a bud, the bud will still bloom. If you can get the plant with roots, better still.  Just  do not forget to water the  plant and keep it moist  when it is growing.  Place  the plant  under the  sun, it loves the sun, and will bloom happily daily. A bit of shade is alright  but if too shady, the blooms might never appear. This plant is also called the sun plant, rather apt, I think.

I tried planting the rose moss as a ground cover, but it soon spread all the over the place and out of control. Perhaps this was because I was reluctant to trim and cut them. Another problem is snails. Snails so love the plant.  So these days I plant them in pots.  I plant them in hanging pots as well as stand pots.  A shallow pot will do as the roots do  not go deep, just superficial. I also started trimming them when the plant grows all long and dangles here and there.  The more I trim the more compact it became. The rose moss is an interesting plant indeed with its succulent stems and leaves. 

One thing about this plant is it is vulnerable to mealybugs. Yes, those  white  horrible pests that is every gardener's nightmare......!  Just keep a lookout for them.  To keep the plant healthy, I feed it with some fertilizers. The blooms are bigger and the stems stronger.

I have collected eight colors - pink, light purple, deep purple, red, orange, yellow, mixed pink / white and the white.  Below is what happens when the genetic material in the plant gets mixed up.....when two different colors are planted in a same pot. I have noticed that when the genetic material gets mixed up,  the bloom will be distorted and won't bloom in a perfect shape. However  these two mixed  seemed to bloom rather well,  so I am keeping  them  and see what happens next. 

Clerodendrum thomsoniae

Bleeding Heart - what a name for a plant! I like this plant as the contrast of white and red is so appealing. This plant is a vine and it grows well without much attention required. It is also a prolific bloomer and the flowers come in big clusters. The flowers last a while, I  did not  keep track but it seems that there are always flowers on the plant, and the flowers only start to fade after a month perhaps.  The red drops, then the white faded to purplish, then brownish.  I trimmed off flowers when they look unsightly.  This vine thrives in the sunlight, but it grows well under partial shade as well.  

 The baby plants grows from the roots, but one can propagate the plant from cuttings as well.