Shades of Grey: 2012

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Red Ginger Plant

My brother picked a bloom from this plant for me from his golf course. He told me this plant can be propagated by planting it. Strange, I thought, but no harm trying. Anyway I did just that. After some time I noticed, true enough the plant was growing. Finally after three years (or more perhaps), it has started to bloom. It looks like the red ginger plant to me, but it remains short - not more than 2 feet tall. The first couple of times I caught sight of promising bud, but somehow the buds never bloomed - just stay furled up and eventually die a natural death - rotting away. This must be the third time the bud opened up and fascinating - the bloom lasted more than 1 month plus, staying fresh and a vibrant red. Another small white bloom appeared at the center of the red bloom which is the true flower according to the posts I read on this red ginger plant. Interesting.

The buds n white flowers at the right hand side are from the chilli plant.

A second bud

Bloom is vibrant red that is rather striking

Not so clear, the white bloom at the center of the red

After almost 2 months the bloom is starting to dry up. Well the second bloom will soon take over.

Cactus Blooms

When one thinks of a small rounded plant that is covered with prickly thorns, immediately the cactus comes to mind. Why do people like cactus or bother to cultivate them ? Personally I am drawn to the cactus for their beautiful and colorful blooms . When I was a teenager someone gave me a book on desert cactus - since then I was hooked and dream of nothing but cactus and their gorgeous blooms ! However after many bad experiences of trying to cultivate and get a cactus to survive or worse to bloom results in only heart pain. But my other half think otherwise. On our last trip to Cameron Highlands he bought three small cactus. And wonder of wonders two of them actually bloomed after almost a year !

Unfortunately these yellow blooms lasted only a day or two.

This orange bloom lasted for almost a week.

Yes, both were beautiful blooms - what is the secret ? My theory ? Cactus need to be neglected then to draw your attention they will bloom! My other half is not a gardener and his three cactus were soon neglected except when occasionally he remembers to spray some water on them and that is all the care he gives them. Then comes my role - I sometimes spray the foliar fertilizer left over from spraying my other plants. Perhaps the third one will bloom, just keep fingers crossed.

Melastoma malabathricum

Senduduk - that is the common name for the Melastoma malabathricum (what a mouthful !). It is a rhododendron plant commonly seen all over the place. So when I noticed this plant sprouting up in one of my flower pots, I decided not to pull it up, but allowed it grow naturally. It is one of few flowering plants that was commonly seen growing wild in the rubber plantations where we liked to roam during our childhood days. Feeling abit reminiscent I was eagerly looking forward to seeing this plant bloom. Boy, little did I know - I was in for a lovely surprise !

Yes, this is the white variety (alba) aside from the more common purple (or mauve) version. The alba Melastoma malabathricum is rare and seldom seen ! What are the chances of it sprouting up in my garden ? Certainly I must thank the flying carriers of the seed to my garden ! So many of them around now, and I really love they way they announced themselves with their bright cheerful tweets and twitters .......!

Apparently the Senduduk is a medicinal plant ( fascinating as always) and more interesting is that it absorbs contaminants from soil (http://www.greenculturesg.com/articles/july08/july08_melastomam.pdf) ! Yes, as I read more on this plant, the more it grows on me beyond just the feeling of childhood memories ! Now I am still hoping that the more common mauve senduduk will one day sprout up as well ....a bit too wishful, huh ?

Ready for another wonderful surprise? Yesterday morning I spotted this white wish bone flower (torenia) in my garden --- take a look !

White Beauty !

can see the white ? just a single bloom !

The normal color

Fine beauties - graceful and small !

These blue torenias grow 'wild' all over my garden - they bloom well and are real delicate beauties, so I seldom pull them up ! Occasionally I see the pink ones come up but they are rare - so these whites are really, really rare ! Mutations of the genes? Perhaps.

It has been raining on and off ...... so not surprising the Rain Lilies (Koo Chai Hua) are thriving as well. Check them out.

They certainly bloom beautifully whenever it rains .....!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Little Bird Flower ( Pedilanthus Bracteatus)

First came one little 'Bird'

From the moment I saw this plant, I was caught. The flowers resembled little green birds, very fascinating ! However the nurseries were selling this plant at a rather high price, so I never got round to buying a plant. After reading about how easily it can be propagated through cuttings, I decided to ask a neighbor for a cutting. She gave me a small plant instead. The tiny plant had hardly four leaves to start with - it had sprouted by the mother plant, perhaps from seeds.

I was very pleased to have this tiny plant although initially I was worried that it will not survive. So I watched it like a hawk - making sure not to over water it.. Touch wood, once it adapted, it started growing robustly and rather fast compared to the initial state when at times I thought it was rotting away since it seemed almost stagnant. When it was a small plant it did not take to the sun too well so I had to remove it to some shade. Each time I let the soil dry up a bit before watering sparingly. Now it is growing well under the sun and rain - and blooming perpetually !

Then two little birds ....

The 'tail' is cute !

..... and then three little 'Birds'...

Now roughly a year down the road, this plant continues to give me a lot of pleasure every time I see the tiny green birds appear ! Just the other day I was surprised to see a round pod appear after the bloom was done ! To my disappointment however it just disappeared one morning - maybe it just burst during the night .......


The Seed Pod

Well they say this plant brings good luck to the owner, but I am just delighted to see this plant with the little green birds !Aside from this Pedilanthus Bracteatus, there is the other variety, the Pedilanthus tithymaloides with the little pink birds. I had grown them from cuttings (see post dated 29th April 2011), however they have yet to bloom (sigh)...!

Spathiphyllum ( or peace lily)

One morning this 'surprise' greeted me right at my side door to the garden.....! A white leaf about to unfurled? No...it is a bloom, believe it or not.... ! I had liked the deep green large leaves of this plant very much; and I thought the leaves resembled the Peace Lily. I have never seen this plant bloom before so was not sure what is its identity. It was one of those plants I took from my mother's garden. So it is almost 4 years since I have the plant. Ahha ... so now it has bloomed, I can safely conclude that is is the Peace Lily indeed. I checked the other clump that I had .....yes, also another bloom.....how exciting !

I surfed for more information on this plant in the internet, yes it looks like the Peace Lily is not a 'clever' bloomer after all from the numerous postings on this plant. Like me, the people who have this plant just like the leaves even without the blooms. Well, I certainly hope after this, these plants will bloom more frequently - the bloom is fascinating indeed ! I have seen this same plant blooming profusely in highland area like Penang Hill where it is slightly cooler. Or perhaps the landscape people put fertilizers to make them bloom well.

Oh yes, the pure white bloom is a real beauty, and the name is apt indeed .... a plant that loves and promote peace, turning downwards in contemplation perhaps, or is it just being humble and shy?

Yeah, but who am I kidding? Plants live in peace and harmony with their environment, don't they ?

So perhaps another four years before another bloom will appear ? Hope not, I suspect the last month had been abnormally coolish ( with constant rain almost daily) , and that this plant decided to bloom and show off. Well ... it has makes me feel happy and rewarded indeed !

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Fire cracker Fern

First attempt blogging on the iPad . Okay , so it is not too difficult after all. Just have to download the application.

Below is a photo of the fire cracker fern , taken on the iPad as well. Yes the plant is doing well. I tried propagating using some cut stems recently. Keep my fingers cross... They seemed to be doing well. I suppose before long I will have more of these plants to improve on my garden. The blooms are really eye catching, blooming in abundance !

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Pulau Tioman vs Gardens by the Bay, July 2012

A month ago, we were in Singapore en-route a short holiday to Pulau Timon. I have heard much about Pulau Tioman, but never had the opportunity to visit since it is so far south. Living up north we have many islands to explore for holidays, including those islands south of Thailand. We are indeed lucky to be able visit and enjoy these beautiful islands. One can never tire of looking at the glorious sunrise or sunset or jogging along beautiful pristine beaches, but maybe most wonderful of all is seeing the colorful, fascinating corals and lively tropical fishes as one snorkels or swims in warm clear sparkling waters .....! No haze, just bright blue skies with patches of fluffy white clouds... relaxing and wonderful away from civilization. At night, one can hear the melodious sounds of the ocean waves as one is lulled to sleep deeply and soundly ... what more can one wish for on a holiday by the beach ?

nature's art piece ....

what more can one wish for ?

Ahh, but I detract ... I wanted to share some photos which we took at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. I was astonished at how Singapore really works on the theme, 'City in a Garden" ....there are endless parks and gardens to enjoy. We had the opportunity to visit a few places since it was all very convenient traveling on the MRT or just take a cab or bus for short distances. However one of the more memorable places we visited was the recently opened to public "Gardens by the Bay". Yes, to readers who have never been there .. it is one destination not to miss while in Singapore, check this out -- .http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/the-gardens/attractions/flower-dome.html.

Alright - some photos to share :-