In my earlier post, I have tried to experiment shrinking the size of my Bird's Nest Fern as the plant is taking a lot of my garden space.

After I chopped the root shorter, the new leaves grew narrower and smaller. Much later, I repotted the rosette into a small shallow pot with very little soil at the bottom. The fern has grown back to a healthier state with nice propotionate foliage shape now. Henceforth, I am pleased to report that the method really worked, as to-date (ten months later) the leaves are still a quarter of its original size!
After I chopped the root shorter, the new leaves grew narrower and smaller. Much later, I repotted the rosette into a small shallow pot with very little soil at the bottom. The fern has grown back to a healthier state with nice propotionate foliage shape now. Henceforth, I am pleased to report that the method really worked, as to-date (ten months later) the leaves are still a quarter of its original size!
Earlier when I saw the 'little bird flower' plant (read more in my earlier post) for the first time, I must admit that I didn't think much of it as I thought it's merely another plant that would be popular for just a while. But as Chinese New Year is drawing closer, this plant has suddenly attracted a lot of attention.
Well, after growing this plant for a few months, let me share with you the good news... my plant has been producing 'bird flowers' non-stop!

The other little blooms are the Portulacas. Although they are not that 'photogenic', their colours are bright enough to catch anyone's attention :-)
Well, after growing this plant for a few months, let me share with you the good news... my plant has been producing 'bird flowers' non-stop!

The other little blooms are the Portulacas. Although they are not that 'photogenic', their colours are bright enough to catch anyone's attention :-)
My mother-in-law's container garden has probably the healthiest plants compared to the many gardens that I have visited so far!
Each and every plant is at its best, any time without fail. Her secret: Years of gardening experience and her mighty greenfingers :-D

The garden is simple in arrangement and decoration, yet very tidy and pleasant. One part of her garden is dedicated to sun-loving plants while another part, that's under shelter, is for ferns that require shade.
Each and every plant is at its best, any time without fail. Her secret: Years of gardening experience and her mighty greenfingers :-D
The garden is simple in arrangement and decoration, yet very tidy and pleasant. One part of her garden is dedicated to sun-loving plants while another part, that's under shelter, is for ferns that require shade.
I have two Calatheas in my garden. The pics you see below are taken when they look their best. For me these two ferns are quite hard to please. I either don't water enough or too much.
This mini version of Calathea can easily dry up and its pattern will dissappear when it is placed at a place where it receives too much sunlight.

The plant grows best at the coolest part of my garden and where there's shade. Given the right condition, moist soil and shade, the plant will produce foliage that are quite attractive.
This mini version of Calathea can easily dry up and its pattern will dissappear when it is placed at a place where it receives too much sunlight.
The plant grows best at the coolest part of my garden and where there's shade. Given the right condition, moist soil and shade, the plant will produce foliage that are quite attractive.
I often pass by a house that has some of the most admirable Hibiscus flowers I have ever seen. Few months back, the shrub was in full bloom and I told myself I must have this light orange Hibiscus...

Since then, I have been to a number of nurseries to find one that's the same but have not been successful. Last Sunday when I was passing by this house again, I saw an elderly man sitting infront of the house. I quickly stopped and gained courage to ask for a cutting. I told the elderly man that I like his Hibiscus very much but couldn't find one from all the nurseries I had visited. Then he responded with the most delightful answer: "Ok, I would cut one good branch for you. Just put the branch into a container of soil and place it under the shade and it would grow."
Since then, I have been to a number of nurseries to find one that's the same but have not been successful. Last Sunday when I was passing by this house again, I saw an elderly man sitting infront of the house. I quickly stopped and gained courage to ask for a cutting. I told the elderly man that I like his Hibiscus very much but couldn't find one from all the nurseries I had visited. Then he responded with the most delightful answer: "Ok, I would cut one good branch for you. Just put the branch into a container of soil and place it under the shade and it would grow."
Here is report of the seeds that I have sown from November onwards...
I was a bit skeptical about growing Hibiscus from seeds (an heirloom from Dirt Princess), hence I placed three seeds in the centre of my pot, thinking that only one would eventually germinate. It turned out that all the seeds germinated. Now I could see three little plants in the pot.

The young Zinnia plants proved to be quite troublesome as they tend to grow tall. Each time when it rains, the plants glide down. I have to give the plants 'crutches' to stand upright.
I was a bit skeptical about growing Hibiscus from seeds (an heirloom from Dirt Princess), hence I placed three seeds in the centre of my pot, thinking that only one would eventually germinate. It turned out that all the seeds germinated. Now I could see three little plants in the pot.
The young Zinnia plants proved to be quite troublesome as they tend to grow tall. Each time when it rains, the plants glide down. I have to give the plants 'crutches' to stand upright.
Below is a pic of my Zee Zee plant taken on the seventh day since the inflorescence started growing out from the soil. Funnily, the flower's position is about the same spot as the last one almost a year ago. It's definitely looking as pretty and hiding behind a midrib...

After the spathe rolls down (like peeled banana!) on the eighth day, the whole spadix with many small male and female flowers is revealed.
After the spathe rolls down (like peeled banana!) on the eighth day, the whole spadix with many small male and female flowers is revealed.


