The best thing that has happened in my garden recently is when the Neoregelia that I planted a year ago is now flowering :-D
First, the centre turned pinkish red before the flowers inside the cup flowered. I initially thought that its flowering cycle would be short and quick as the plant multiplies fast. But now I realise that it does need a long time for a young pup to flower.
The Lemon Ginger is now producing flowers quite regularly but they are taking turns to show up (one after another).
First, the centre turned pinkish red before the flowers inside the cup flowered. I initially thought that its flowering cycle would be short and quick as the plant multiplies fast. But now I realise that it does need a long time for a young pup to flower.
The Lemon Ginger is now producing flowers quite regularly but they are taking turns to show up (one after another).
The hoya flowers have opened... revealing their attractive waxy, pinkish purple, star-shaped flowers. They feel hard and have a weak scent. Nonetheless, a wondrous sight to behold :-D
I should have included these beautiful Hibiscus Swamp Mallow flowers in my earlier post. The plant re-grown and re-flowered many blooms before the Chinese New Year celebration. I really enjoy watching the huge blooms taking turns to blossom.
I should have included these beautiful Hibiscus Swamp Mallow flowers in my earlier post. The plant re-grown and re-flowered many blooms before the Chinese New Year celebration. I really enjoy watching the huge blooms taking turns to blossom.
I spent five days in Cambodia last week, which was my second visit to this former French colony. The first time was in 2007 when my hubby and I visited our missionary friends in Kampot. This time round, we helped in a training for the Cambodia Missions & Services (CMS) leaders in Baray. While there we also enjoyed some fun activities offered by the Khmer Homestay.
We watched the sunset after a short bullock cart ride thru' a massive paddy field. I was told that Cambodians prefer white cows.
We watched the sunset after a short bullock cart ride thru' a massive paddy field. I was told that Cambodians prefer white cows.
I was away for a few days during the recent Chinese New Year celebration and the almost-daily evening rain was a real blessing for my plants. They were all looking pretty and happy when I came back :-)
And thanks again to my friend who has helped me take care of my plants in my absence :-D
And thanks again to my friend who has helped me take care of my plants in my absence :-D
This brand New Year 2012 (now two weeks old!) is promising lots of sunshine :-D It has been really warm and hot here in past weeks and my plants are definitely getting all the much needed sunlight they were depriving of for the past months.
Here is one of the first flowers of my pale yellow Fountain Plant. It has taken me months to get this plant to reach flowering stage. Perhaps due to the lack of sunshine, hehe...
And I have to thank a dear friend for parting the stem cuttings to me. At that time I was hunting high and low for a small plant but couldn't find one as most of those at the nurseries are sold in big pots/plants (meaning they are expensive!) and they are usually in the common red.
The tips of my Aloe Vera spikes of flowers meanwhile are drying up fast. Hence, the flowers did not develop as nice as I expected them to be... sigh :-(
Here is one of the first flowers of my pale yellow Fountain Plant. It has taken me months to get this plant to reach flowering stage. Perhaps due to the lack of sunshine, hehe...
And I have to thank a dear friend for parting the stem cuttings to me. At that time I was hunting high and low for a small plant but couldn't find one as most of those at the nurseries are sold in big pots/plants (meaning they are expensive!) and they are usually in the common red.
The tips of my Aloe Vera spikes of flowers meanwhile are drying up fast. Hence, the flowers did not develop as nice as I expected them to be... sigh :-(
I think my Lantana does not mind hard pruning at all. Two months ago, I gave the plant some hard pruning and it is now flowering. I even saw butterflies coming for the nectar but didn't manage to snap a shot. Here is just the blooms...
Unlike the Lantana, I find that the Polka Dot plant does not like to be pruned after it has grown leggy and the leaves became small. So for this precious little rooted stem cutting, I just used a stone to press down the stem to the soil. It seems to be growing some larger leaves now :-D
Unlike the Lantana, I find that the Polka Dot plant does not like to be pruned after it has grown leggy and the leaves became small. So for this precious little rooted stem cutting, I just used a stone to press down the stem to the soil. It seems to be growing some larger leaves now :-D
Overall, I must say that my garden looks really bad nowadays. Most plants are not in the best of health and vigour. But for some I must say they are doing exceptionally well in spite of the bad weather we are experiencing.
My neighbour has been admiring my Oxalis more than I do. She loves the leaves and says that they look like butterflies. As for me, the plant is growing really slow this time round. Nevertheless, I love its dainty pink flowers that look really bright and cheerful during the day :)
Gloxinia flowers broke the record of lasting for weeks. I am so pleased! :-D
My neighbour has been admiring my Oxalis more than I do. She loves the leaves and says that they look like butterflies. As for me, the plant is growing really slow this time round. Nevertheless, I love its dainty pink flowers that look really bright and cheerful during the day :)
Gloxinia flowers broke the record of lasting for weeks. I am so pleased! :-D
There are other plants that are in bloom in my garden but today, I would like to just highlight my Lemon Ginger. It finally bloomed a flower for me! Yay :-D
I bought this plant in October last year. This Lemon Ginger in bloom was propagated by myself. So now, I have two pots of the same plant. The original plant, placed in another spot, has never flowered.
I bought this plant in October last year. This Lemon Ginger in bloom was propagated by myself. So now, I have two pots of the same plant. The original plant, placed in another spot, has never flowered.
There wasn't much progress in my garden as of last week. The weather was as usual, cloudy most of the time with occasional clear skies.
My African Daisy-Gerbera is always placed infront as it is a low growing plant. Together with other plants with similar height like the Ground Orchid (in the pic below) they cover the sight of pots that have vines and taller shrubs growing in them.
My African Daisy-Gerbera is always placed infront as it is a low growing plant. Together with other plants with similar height like the Ground Orchid (in the pic below) they cover the sight of pots that have vines and taller shrubs growing in them.
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