Beautiful colors and easy maintenance, don’t you find these factors attractive enough to make you a cactus fan?

. . . → Read More: Pat’s Blooming Opuntia & More!]]> First of all, I would like to thank Pat from Canada for sharing with us photos of her blooming opuntia and some of her other plants. The colors of the opuntia flowers are beautiful.

Beautiful colors and easy maintenance, don’t you find these factors attractive enough to make you a cactus fan?

In Pat’s garden, there are small fig trees, and this small one even has fruits!

More plants, very neat and organized.  But what really has caught my attraction is the reflection on the windows.  There I find a big beautiful garden

Winter home that Pat built for some of her plants, very nice. I wish I have something like this too.

This is my Hoya Kerrii.  It used to be a pretty baby before but somehow since last month its heart-shaped leaves started to wrinkle up, and after a week or two, the leaves began to fall apart

At first . . . → Read More: Hoya Kerrii – My Hearts are Falling Apart!]]>
My Sweetheart Hoya (left) taken in November 2009 (right) taken in August (2010)

This is my Hoya Kerrii.  It used to be a pretty baby before but somehow since last month its heart-shaped leaves started to wrinkle up, and after a week or two, the leaves began to fall apart

At first when I found the wrinkled leaves, I suspected that it might be a pest or disease problem. However,  after a thorough checking, I found nothing suspicious.  And because I was very busy with many other events and projects on hand, I didn’t pursue further or take any counter action. (I must confess here for I feel so guilty…)

And it is not until a week or two later, when most of the heart-shaped leaves have fallen did I guess that the cause may be due to this year’s excessively hot summer.  So from the balcony, I brought it into my room.  It’s been over two weeks already.  Although the burnt wrinkled leaves look more or less the same,  the stems feel a little stiffer and stronger now.

Actually I am not sure if the record-breaking hot weather this summer is the cause of the problem.  As far as I know, Hoya Kerrii is a succulent that can tolerate pretty high temperature…  But anyways, we will see.  Hopefully, my Sweetheart Hoya will get well and be healthy soon again.

I received an email that titled “Caleana major – the Flying Duck Orchid” from a bonsai friend yesterday.  When I checked the attached photos, I was amazed.  This orchid surely lives up to its name!

Caleana, commonly known as the Flying Duck Orchid, is a genus of orchids native to Australia.  . . . → Read More: Caleana major – the Flying Duck Orchid]]>

I received an email that titled “Caleana major – the Flying Duck Orchid” from a bonsai friend yesterday.  When I checked the attached photos, I was amazed.  This orchid surely lives up to its name!

Caleana, commonly known as the Flying Duck Orchid, is a genus of orchids native to Australia.  While the appearance of the Flying Duck Orchid is fascinating, I found the orchid’s trigger mechanism that temporarily captures insects to aid pollination equally interesting.

So, Australia is a country that has not only duck-looking animals, but also plants that resemble a duck.  Besides the bizarre looking, duck-billed platypus, Australia also has Caleana, the orchid that looks so much like a flying duck.

And here is a nice, brief introduction of Large Duck Orchid in Australia Land Cove National Park website.

Because of the intensively hot weather in Hong Kong in the recent few weeks, the yellow skinned watermelons in the greenhouse have ripened unexpectedly early this summer. In fact, since all of them ripened all together so quickly, many of them couldn’t be enjoyed in time before turning bad.

So at . . . → Read More: It’s Time for Yellow Watermelon Again!]]>

Because of the intensively hot weather in Hong Kong in the recent few weeks, the yellow skinned watermelons in the greenhouse have ripened unexpectedly early this summer. In fact, since all of them ripened all together so quickly, many of them couldn’t be enjoyed in time before turning bad.

So at the end of our last monthly bonsai workshop session, Teacher Wong brought out all the yellow skinned watermelon that were left and treated us a watermelon feast.  Just like the yellow skinned watermelons we had last year, these ones were so sweet.   And what can be better than a sweet juicy watermelon in this crazy burning summer!

A dozen of watermelon, papaya, and other fruits later, 20 of us left the bonsai workshop with a full tummy and a satisfied smile.

This summer, the lollipop plants (Pachystachys lutea) on my balcony are growing vigorously with many flowers. Frankly, I was a bit surprised. I didn’t expect it to blossom so well, for I have been so busy lately that I haven’t done much pruning and fertilizing since its last bloom.

I guess it’s the . . . → Read More: My Super Goldy Lollipops]]>

This summer, the lollipop plants (Pachystachys lutea) on my balcony are growing vigorously with many flowers. Frankly, I was a bit surprised. I didn’t expect it to blossom so well, for I have been so busy lately that I haven’t done much pruning and fertilizing since its last bloom.

I guess it’s the extremely hot hot sun in these two weeks that has helped my lollipop plants growing so well. This plant loves the sun. However, because all I could provide my lollipop plants is a North-facing balcony, they usually don’t blossom very well, maybe 6-8 lollipop flowers per pot. But now, with the extremely hot sun flaring in the blue clear sky, there are around 12-14 flowers or flower buds in each pot! I am sure there would be even more if I pruned my lollipop plants right after its last bloom.

The origin of Pachystachys lutea is Peru. It is a very common plant in Hong Kong, and because of the shape of its white flowers and surrounding yellow bracts, it is called the golden shrimp plant or the lollipop plant.

Maybe in another post, let me share some tips of growing and caring for the lollipop plant.

Phalaenopsis orchids are very suitable for city dwellers who have limited space and no gardens. Since Phalaenopsis orchid is quite easy to grow and generally likes the light and temperature condition of our homes, it is an excellent choice for the first time orchid growers, as well as indoor gardeners.

Below . . . → Read More: How to Grow and Care for Phalaenopsis Orchids]]>

Phalaenopsis orchids are very suitable for city dwellers who have limited space and no gardens. Since Phalaenopsis orchid is quite easy to grow and generally likes the light and temperature condition of our homes, it is an excellent choice for the first time orchid growers, as well as indoor gardeners.

Below are some tips of growing Phalaenopsis orchids.

Light

Phalaenopsis orchids do well near bright window, without direct sunlight. If we place our Phalaenopsis orchids indoor, an east facing window is ideal, while shaded south or west facing windows are also acceptable. I grow my Phalaenopsis orchid outside my north facing balcony and it grows very well. If we grow our Phalaenopsis orchids outdoor under direct sunlight, the growing area will need to be covered with 70-75%  shade cloth.

Let the foliage be your guide. If there is excessive dark reddish pigmentation on the leaves, the leaves probably have been burnt. In this case, we should move our orchids to an area with less sun exposure. On the other hand, if the leaves are long and floppy, the Phalaenopsis orchid may not be getting enough light.

Watering

If we grow our Phalaenopsis orchids in pots instead of by hanging, the orchid roots will not be exposed to the air as much, and hence will dry up slower. We should water our Phalaenopsis orchids only when the roots are dry (but don’t wait till bone-dry). Be aware not to overwater our orchids, the roots will rot and the orchid will not survive. In addition, water our Phalaenopsis orchids early enough in the day time so that the leaves will be dry by nightfall. It is especially important not to let water stay in the crown of the orchids for this will lead to crown rot.

Fertilizer

Phalaenopsis orchids do well with regular fertilizing, yet will suffer if over-fertilized. As a rule of thumb, fertilize our Phalaenopsis orchids every 10-14 days with a balanced formula like 20-20-20 in only half the strength as instructed on the fertilizer package.

Temperature

Phalaenopsis orchids grow well in temperature between 20-30 degree Celsius (65-85 degrees Fahrenheit), and the orchids will stop growing when the temperature is above 35 degree Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or below 10 degree Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).

Humidity and Ventilation

Phalaenopsis orchids love high humidity, around 70%. Yet, the moth orchids also need good ventilation and air circulation in order to grow well, particularly during very humid conditions when fungal and bacterial disease can be a real threat. In this case, an oscillating fan that moves air constantly at low speed will be very helpful.

It is always encouraging when some friends and blog readers tell me how much they enjoy Gardening on Cloud 9 and get inspired to start growing some plants at home, or even better, shares with me the fun they have with the tabletop gardens they made.

A few days ago, I have received . . . → Read More: Madeleine’s Jurassic Park]]>

It is always encouraging when some friends and blog readers tell me how much they enjoy Gardening on Cloud 9 and get inspired to start growing some plants at home, or even better, shares with me the fun they have with the tabletop gardens they made.

A few days ago, I have received from Madeleine some photos of a Jurassic tabletop garden she has made. With rocks, sand, and tree barks, she has made a very fun, creative Jurassic park garden for her grandson. The tabletop garden is very well decorated, I especially like the little pebbles placed on the sandy ground as the colors and shapes make the whole picture more fun and interesting.

Recently, I have been very busy with learning bonsai, my wedding preparation, as well as many other projects on hand, that I can hardly find time to make and design new tabletop gardens. But everytime when someone like Madeleine reminds me of the fun of making tabletop garden, my crave of making one gets triggered again!

Maybe next month… I especially want to try my hand at terrarium

Oh yes, did I mention the little dinosaurs in the garden? How cool is that

Cattleya orchids are among the most beautiful and satisfying of all orchid species to grow and care for.  Since the care of Cattleya orchid is easy, gardening beginners who are interested in growing orchids but haven’t had any experience before, can start with Cattleya orchid.  With simple growing conditions, most of us . . . → Read More: How to Grow and Care for Cattleya Orchids]]>

Cattleya orchids are among the most beautiful and satisfying of all orchid species to grow and care for.  Since the care of Cattleya orchid is easy, gardening beginners who are interested in growing orchids but haven’t had any experience before, can start with Cattleya orchid.  With simple growing conditions, most of us can obtain outstanding results.

And here, let me share with you what I have learned about Cattleya orchids.

Light

The growing area of Cattleya orchids needs to be covered with 50-60% shade cloth. If the light is too strong, the leaves of the Cattleya orchids will be burned. On the other hand, if the light is too weak, the plant will be very weak, and won’t blossom.

Air Circulation

Air circulation is especially critical for Cattleya orchids that grow indoor in a greenhouse. Cattleya orchids are prompt to disease and pest when the air flow in the room is poor.

Temperature

Cattleya orchids are able to accustom to temperatures as low as 10-13 degree Celsius (50-55 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter and as high as 27-33 degree Celsius (80-90 degrees Fahrenheit)in the summer. It worth noting that there should have some temperature variations of at least 5 degrees between day time and night time for the Cattleya orchids to grow strong and bloom beautifully.

Water

When an orchid is killed by a water problem, 99% of the time is due to over-watering. Water the Cattleya orchid only when the potting medium is totally dry.

Potting Mix

Cattleya orchids grow well in pumice stones. Pumice stones allow water to drain out quickly, which minimize the over-watering problem and keep the roots healthy at all time. Also, we can put a few pieces of styrofoam at the bottom of the orchid pot to improve the air circulation in the root area.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing our Cattleya orchids every 10-14 days with a balanced formula like 20-20-20 in only half the strength as instructed on the fertilizer package.