Aglaia odorata, "Chinese Perfume Plant"

I just cannot believe my eyes when I caught sight of  the workers  at the nursery unloading the Aglaia Odorata plants from the lorry one morning as I was passing by ! I had been looking out for this  plant ever since I read about its sweet fragrance. Check out the photos  of this beautiful plant from these links : - http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchidtalk/jungle/20892-my-fragrant-hedge-4-aglaia-odorata-chinese-perfume-plant.html and http://www.rareflora.com/aglaiaodo.html.  

The plant  does resemble the Murraya paniculata (posted 23 August 2010) , but the leaves are more rounded at the tips, compact and arranged in a floral manner as they form.   It is supposed to be a slow grower  and being a small  plant, I can surely find a place for it amongst my collection of fragrant plants. The main appeal, however, is that the flowers are petite round yellow balls - very unique, very different ! 

The nursery was selling one small plant for RM 8 so  I did not have second thoughts about buying one plant immediately.  It was only upon reaching home that it strike me that in my excitement I forget to check if the plant's root system was properly developed. Previously I had a bad experience where once I bought a plant from a vendor that was just a cutting without  any roots at all  !  I realized this only when I transferred  it to a  pot from the black poly bag. So this time, just to be safe - I am just leaving the plant in its polybag until a time I can see some roots appearing at the bottom of the poly bag or some signs of new growth ! Just have to keep my fingers crossed that this is not just a cutting ! I have bought many plants from this nursery and never had problems before, but some how I guess after a bad experience, I just can't help being a bit worried and anxious. 

The tiny round pearls are the green buds - eventually they will turn yellow in color

Keeping the plant in its polybag standing in pot

Leaves are arranged in a floral pattern which is really attractive

It has been about four days since I bought the plant - touch wood it is  looking good.  From what I gathered about this plant, this plant is rather fuss free and easy to care for. It is a rather hardy plant - grows in semi shade to full sunlight.  Like most tropical plants, it likes moisture, warmth and well drained soil. Right now I am leaving it under some shade and watering it sparingly. Yes, and you guessed  it - I am also checking it vigilantly !

Quisqualis Indica (Rangoon Creeper) revisited ...

I cannot help but continue to marvel at the beauty of  the Rangoon Creeper (posted 24th June 2010)  Its  ability to constantly bloom so profusely is very rewarding not to say of its tantalizing fragrance in the evenings. The fragrance from the combination of these blooms, the jasmines, gardenias, mirabilis and others  in the garden is  so relaxing and refreshing !  Perhaps this is why I made it a  nightly habit to lost myself in the garden  for a few minutes just before popping off to bed .......!

Which is a better shot .... this one OR

This one ?

Trying to capture from a low point  ....  

This amazing plant seems to thrive without much fuss. After all the blooms are gone, I normally give it a heavy pruning. However, new growth appears quickly. As I mentioned before,  this plant reminds me of  Jack and his magical  beanstalk !  Now and then I noticed baby plants sprouting  from the roots - rather far away from the mother  plant. I normally pull them out.   Recently I  dug  a couple of these babies out as I am interested to see if the rate of growth is as fast when grown in a pot.

A Bird Nest !

They say if you keep wishing for something long enough, it will come  true ! Well, this  bird must have heard me because two days ago, I noticed  something like an  incomplete nest resting on a V among the branches of the mango tree.  I thought perhaps I was mistaken. Perhaps it was just a pile of  dried leaves/grass that got caught.  I did not think much of it, but yesterday morning I noted some unusual activities going on in the garden area.  My curiosity was aroused. There were too many birds in the garden suddenly and they were making lots of noise.... what was going on?

Imagine the scenario where you are hard at work, but your friends are more busier  instructing you on how you should be doing the job, etc.....etc..... !  That was the scenario  I perceived yesterday morning.  A few birds were  flying here and that, chirping loudly with excitement;  but there was this one little bird  quietly working to complete its nest!  After a while  - the other birds flew away, having lost their interest,  I presume - leaving my little friend  to work in peace and alone.  She must have noticed that I was taking photos of her, for she quickly flew away.  A few minutes later  to my relief, she was back at work  so I thought I better ignore her this time.  Later in the afternoon as I sat at my computer table, browsing and surfing the internet.... she peeked at me through the windows !   Was my imagination being  over - active, or was she just returning a tit for tat ? What a thought !

Left Hand Side - see the little one ?  It has a dried leaf in its beak to build its nest (right hand side)

Here she is again with another building material for her nest

Building a Nest must be hard work indeed

Quality Check her nest  ?

Maybe resting ?

Comfy Nest indeed so high up  !

My "Little Bird Flower" cuttings (see post 29th April 2011) are all doing well .... some I planted in pots, some I planted on the ground. I am amazed how easy they grow from cuttings ! 

"Little Bird Flower" Plant

 Now just to wait for some pink 'birds" to appear ! Perhaps 6 months to a year ?  Maybe for Chinese New Year 2012?  That will be grand ..... !