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Thursday, July 24, 2014

It has been really hot and dry for the past weeks! Watering plants is one important task that I cannot not do! Ahhh... the joy of gardening? Well it is! I was really pleased to see many of my plants faring alright. 

As I was walking out towards the gate I was so glad to see an open rose-like flower from my Jasmine sambac 'Grand Duke of Tuscany'. Its heavy scent was just so refreshing and its beautiful white petals painted a calming picture to behold. Thank you pretty little thing ;-)



Also these puffy seed-heads from a mystery weed make the place looks seemingly airy don't you think so?




Four O'clock's (Mirabilis jalapa) hot fuchsia blooms release faint sweet smell when they open. It is especially nice to walk past them in the night.



This plumeria was sown in Year 2009. It was supposed to be a dwarf variety but it didn't grow to be one. Most likely it has to be chopped down to make way for more plants as it doesn't seem to flower well and the size is just too big for my garden. 



Lovely pink rain lily popped up quickly after I did a replanting. Long time no see sweetie :-)



The turmeric (Curcuma longa) plant that I planted in May -- its roots have already filled up the original pot. The plant has been transplanted to a bigger pot now.



Amaranthus Perfect Red is a plant that I cannot kill... regrew it each time after harvest...



Hot weather brings cool Plumbago blooms... ;-) 



And this is cool as well... cool foliage of my pot of Silver Squill (Ledebouria socialis). Do you like the leaves?



These chillies are from the Mini Hot Pepper plant I bragged about earlier for being very productive. Don't think I could finish all these chillies at one go...



The burning sensation on my fingers was so great after scrapping the seeds away...



Dunked the chillies in vinegar to preserve them in the fridge...



Meanwhile, my little terrarium that has a new plant growing inside. The Fittonia plant wilted earlier and now the new plant, Episcia seems to be doing really well. 



Close-up view...




Caught a glimpse of my Spider tresses (Strophanthus preussii) flowers, hiding behind a vine...



Have a good week!

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16 comments

  1. Hi Steph! Always a pleasure to see your plants are doing well. I cannot believe you deseeded the chillies without wearing fine rubber gloves! Owch! You got quite a lot though from your small plant. Your Plumbago is lovely. My white Plumbago is also in bloom, but not the bue one, for some reason it always blooms later.
    Have a good rest of the week, and stay cool!:)

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    1. It's great to hear from you, Breathtaking! My friend taught me to just use plastic bag. Now I know. Anyway, I used a little spoon to scrap those seeds away. Just the bare fingers which I used to hold the chillies caught the heat. Hope your blue plumbago flower soon. Happy gardening, Stephanie

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  2. I'm envious that you can harvest such luscious chillies. Mine always seem to be attacked by mealy bugs. I finally managed to get hold of a specimen of Strophantus gratus. I'm trying to get it to grow taller.

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  3. Hi Stiletto, this particular one is from a packet of seeds that I bought from one of the home centre. Should be ACE. The packet says Little Garden Mini Hot LG 501 This seed grows easily and so far no mealy bugs. Good luck with your Strophantus gratus! Be patient in the beginning :-)

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    1. The nursery placed two cuttings in a poly bag. I took the risk and had them separated, much like the separation of Siamese twins. Much to my delight I end up having two healthy plants.

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    2. Wow! I am happy for you Stilletto ElsieXie! I look forward to seeing the 'Siamese twins" :-)

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  4. Hi Stephanie,
    Your plants are doing well in this hot weather. Mine are not doing great. Some of the plants have gone "kering"!!! Need to clear my garden once again to throw those dying plants away! But on a happier note, my chilli plants are into it's second round of fruiting! :)
    Great harvest you got there!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Joyce,

      I over-watered a succulent! It has rotted... sigh. Re chilli plant, I am sure you are really happy about your second harvest of chillies. I like to see them on the little shrub. Sometimes they look like plastic hehe... Happy gardening, cooking and baking!

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  5. I love to see your garden. I like plumbago flower, it reminds me into my childhood. We usually picked some plumbago stalk and we took it on our wolly cloth. Just a simple game.

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    1. Hello Endah, in my childhood, I recall rambutan, mango and portulaca. We played 'masak-masak' with mango leaves a lot hehe...

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  6. Oh, I love to see the Silver Squill in your garden. Long time no see this plants. The leave pattern are so nice.

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    Replies
    1. Maybe Silver Squill likes the heat and dry air as this time round, the leaves are looking amazing. Btw, this plant was in a small little pot when I bought it many years ago.

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  7. I have the same, or a very similar, pink rain lily.

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    1. How wonderful! Mine has been flowering for some time. This bloom is a surprise ;-)

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  8. It's really hot here Stephanie! but luckily it rained last Wednesday evening! Thank god! You plant doing well regardless of hot weather! ;)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Malar, yup thank God for the rain! It was indeed a sweet respite. I wish it will rain more frequently. Keeping my fingers crossed for my plants :-)

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