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I have traveled so much in the past two months, to Cambodia as well as many places in Malaysia. Besides Kuala Lumper, Langkawi, Melaka, and Sabah, I also visited Putrajaya – the new Federal Government administrative center and future capital of Malaysia.

Frankly, in this current stage, Putrajaya hasn’t yet been tourist friendly enough. The city is still under development, guided by the strategic vision 2015, which is to turn Putrajaya into a well managed, vibrant, prosperous city.

Putrajaya - City in the Garden Putrajaya - City in the Garden
Photos taken in a bus

“City in the Garden” is the main theme that the development of Putrajaya is based on, and I think the city is sticking with the theme very well. Lots of greens, beautiful parks, and landscape architectural ideas, I am looking forward to see how this city will turn into in the future :)

Putrajaya - City in the Garden Putrajaya - City in the Garden

Putra Mosque – probably Putrajaya’s most distinctive landmark and one of the most modern mosques in the world

Putrajaya - City in the Garden Putrajaya - City in the Garden

Some federal government buildings, including the office of Malaysia Prime Minister

After waiting for three months, I finally have a big bagful of Impatiens blossoms!  Apparently, impatiens is very easy to maintain, and it grows well in shade.  Since I planted the six young impatiens in November, I haven’t done much but only watered them every 5-10 days, depended on the weather.  I would definitely recommend it to those who want to go something easy and rewarding ;)

Hanging Impatiens Hanging Impatiens

Narcissus Flower Narcissus Flower

Since Narcissus flower blooms around lunar January, it is one of the most associated flowers with the Chinese New Year. The Chinese like to decorate their homes with this beautiful white Narcissus flower and wait in anticipation of its blossom, which symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the coming year.  In addition, Narcissus has one of the sweetest fragrances!

Narcissus Flower Narcissus Flower Narcissus Flower

Narcissus bulb carving and cultivation is an art.  Here are some Narcissus bulbs which Teacher Wong has craved.  Since they are craved differently, they will grow into different shapes and sizes.

Narcissus Flower Narcissus Flower

About a month after carving, some Narcissus bulbs have grown into peacocks.  And the one between the two peacocks is called “crab pincer”.

Narcissus Flower Narcissus Flower

left: flower basket (the Narcissus flowers haven’t yet blossomed); right: crab pincer

Narcissus Bulbs

These are the Narcissus bulbs.

Chrysanthemum Flowers

Although members are restricted to cultivate plants other than bonsai trees in the bonsai workshop, Teacher Wong always keeps some flowering plants in the workshop for ornamental purposes.  And now in the early winter, we have some big and beautiful Chrysanthemums with showy blossoms :D Read the rest of this entry »

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In early November, I mounted one of my baby Vanda orchid on a piece of draftwood and the other on a rock, before hanging both orchids on my balcony (see post: My Hanging Vandas).  A month has passed.  I have noticed that the root system of the Vanda orchid that is mounted on the driftwood seems stronger and more vigorous than the one that is mounted on the rock.

Hanging Vanda Orchid

This Vanda orchid likes the driftwood so much that its roots keep drilling into every corner and cracks of draftwood :)

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Last week, Teacher Wong, Gui, and I set up the greenhouse and planted over200 strawberry plants in containers.

Growing Strawberries in Containers Growing Strawberries in Containers

In order to reuse the soil that was used for yellow-skin watermelons and cantaloupes in the greenhouse, Teacher Wong has adjusted the soil pH level, mixed in additional organic fertilizer, while leaving the soil heated under the sun in the greenhouse for several weeks.

Growing Strawberries in Containers Growing Strawberries in Containers

These are the strawberry plants that we have planted in our greenhouse.  I potted these strawberry plants around a month ago.

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My Episcia Ronnie  (aka Flame Violet)  is growing very well. It has grown many stolons, with some of them getting pretty long, and starting to tie up with one another.  To prevent my Episica Ronnie from growing into a tangled mess of stolons,   I knew I better change the container and repot the plant as soon as possible.

Episcia Ronnie on Bike

A hanging basket would be nice for trailing plants like Episcia, but I couldn’t find a suitable place in my house where I could hang the plant :(   While I was puzzling over the new container problem for my Episcia, I saw a cool bike/trolley looking raised planter when I was shopping one day. Yes! This could solve my problem I thought, and so I bought it right away. Read the rest of this entry »

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Hoya Kerrii (aka Sweetheart Hoya) Hoya Kerrii (aka Sweetheart Hoya)

As said in an earlier post, my Hoya Kerrii had grown a new leaf. But unlike the other leaves of my Hoya Kerrii, this one was all in green.  While I was wondering if the edge of the leaf would somehow turn yellow as the leaf grew bigger, I read an excellent post about Hoya Kerrii in Plants are the Strangest People (thank you Stephanie :D ).

In the post, Mr Subjunctive, the author, suggests to remove all the stems with all-green leaves.  He explains that because a stem with all-green leaves has an advantage over a variegated one, with enough time, the all-green leaves will eventually take over the whole pot ! Read the rest of this entry »

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grow-your-own-drugs-01

Last night Yik called and told me that there was a program showing on TVB Pearl that might be of my interest. So I turned on the tv and watched the program, and yes, it surely is my cup of tea.

This program is called Grow Your Own Drugs, a six-part series presented by James Wong, an ethnobotanist trained in Kew Garden. James shows us how we can make simple, natural remedies to help ease the symptoms of some everyday ailments with plants which can be found in our gardens or flower shops. In the program, James shares some amazing recipes, from Marigold lotion for motorizing skin and clearing acnes, to Viola eczema cream and Elderflower lozenge. Read the rest of this entry »

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Hoya Kerrii (aka Sweetheart Hoya)

I bought this Hoya Kerrii (aka Sweetheart Plant) a few months ago in the summer.  Although I know that Hoya Kerrii is a slow-growing plant like most other succulents, I observe it closely every once a while, and hope that I will find something new, something different and exciting on this Sweetheart Hoya.

And last month, I finally got to see some “action” -  my Hoya Kerrii has grown another heart-shaped leaf!  Unlike the other leaves of my Hoya Kerrii, this one is all in green.  Now I wonder if the edge of the leaf will somehow turn yellow as the leaf grows bigger. Read the rest of this entry »

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