Amazon Lily ( Eucharis Lily)

 I used to have a pot of  this Amazon Lily  (Eucharis Lily) when we lived in Penang.   This plant and me  have  a long history of bonding ... more than 10 years.  I like it very much for two reasons,  firstly the foliage is very attractive, dark green and glossy.  Secondly the white flowers are lightly fragrant. When we moved to East Malaysia, I had to give this plant away.  So in a way, I feel this plant has come home to me.....! 

When I saw this pot of plant abandoned by previous owner,  most of the leaves  have wilted away,  those left behind are in bad shape but  sufficient  for me to identify  the plant.  As I say this plant and me have gone a long, long way.......  Luckily the bulbs I dug up seemed healthy enough,  with a bit of   fragile looking roots intact.  Bulb plants  normally grow back easily   under  some care. 

 

These are shots of  the  Amazon Lily.  It has been 3 days  since I replanted in fresh soil.  I have put 4 bulbs in a single pot and the other two smaller bulbs  in single small pots. I will probably need to re-pot when they resumed normal healthy  growth.  Bulb plants will grow fast once established, although they take longer to bloom. 

 My previous experience with this plant is the leaves do not like direct sunlight.  The leaves get burnt and rather unsightly upon too much exposure to direct sunlight.

The following article is a very comprehensive write - up on this beautiful plant - check it out ! (http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2877/)

Euphorbia lactea..........

This is an interesting plant .... a cactus yet not a cactus.  Read this link for the explanation - http://www.krkosska.com/houseplants/pages/Euphorbia-lactea-crest-1.html

I 'saved' this plant.  It had been abandoned by its previous owner. However it was able to survive despite after almost  a year on its own.  Similar to the cactus it is able to survive with minimum water. Rain water is okay as long as the pot medium does not retain water as the roots will be sensitive to excess water.  The pot for this plant was broken since the roots somehow managed to break through and the plant had toppled over lying on one side.  It had grown  too heavy on one side so I cut some parts off  to allow the plant to stand upright again.  I hope the plant will not suffer from these cuts....touch wood.  I had make sure I  used a clean and dry sharp knife.   

If one look closely at this plant,  it is  interesting to  note that some parts  forms ridges or crests.  I checked around the internet just to make sure I get the right name for the plant, but it can get a bit confusing as there are many of these grafted plants.  These plants are grafted  to get a nice single crest that is like a frilly fan. Yet there are parts of this plant  that  are smooth.  Perhaps it had been grafted before....or the plant is  just natural this way.  Well since I 'saved' it a few days back, I am now monitoring it closely.  Some parts were damaged when I placed it in a paper bag as the thorns are rather sharp, but they seemed  alright now.  When the part was damaged, it produced a white milky sap which I understand is toxic.

I have placed this plant near my mini waterlily ponds as these days the cats in the neighborhood has started coming to drink the water and also perhaps to feast on the guppies I have in the pond.....I am hoping the thorns from this plant will deter the cats.....! 

"Secret Garden"

We make it a point to make trips to the city once a while.  This last trip we went to One Utama , Petaling Jaya to check out the shopping and sales for the coming Chinese New Year.  I made it a point to visit the "Secret Garden"  for a second time and also to enjoy the Amazonian Waterlilies......was hoping  that this time I get to see the  flowers bloom.  The security guard at "Secret Garden' told us the giant waterlilies died some three weeks back....  We  were shocked and feeling devastated  when we heard that.  However, when we peered out of the windows towards the pond direction,  the giant waterlilies  were still there, they must have grown back......!! The leaves were  smaller and some looking very tender ..... what a relief!   I just love to look at these waterlilies ... unfortunately this time no flower buds, but I am not complaining just to see them so healthy and well was more than enough ......!

Back to the Secret Garden......I think this must be the most delightful place in the whole building.  Of course, without doubt, One Utama is a great place to hang out as it is so 'happening'....classy restaurants , classy shops....(even a rock climbing center as well) ..... the consumer is spoilt  for choice !   Decors  were so festive to celebrate the  coming Chinese New Year.  My  only complaint was finding  a parking lot was tricky .....and we need to queue  just  to enter the elevator from the basement car park!  I was informed that the shopping centers in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya are normally crowded during weekends.  

Anyway in this blog,  let me share some shots from the "Secret Garden " .  To the Management of One Utama, a big  thank you and please continue to maintain this jewel of  One Utama......! Also I noticed they  were actually expanding the garden, wonderful.......

A strange creation of nature ....!

I checked for the plant  ID, but cannot see the tag....

This is apparently the bud....

The Lipstick Plant.....

I don't have this plant in my garden even though I like it a lot....

I did not catch the name of this plant either...

Nope, not this Plant ID either...

Exotic Red passion flower......

I will have to add this to my collection.....

Young leaf of the giant waterlily...note the spikes !

Your guess is as good as mine......what a giant!

So it  looks like each time I go to PJ, the 'Secret Garden' is a must go place ... the garden is only open during weekends.