November Rain

These were the last few blooms mid-November, I snapped pictures after a heavy shower. November has been filled with torrential rains for 2 to 4 hours. Sometimes it rains twice in a day (broad daylight and dark night). Makes me wonder how pretty shrubs could withstand all those abuse.

Miniature Roses, Heliconia, Sanchezia and calathea doing well. Those didn't are Ajuga and Wishbone. I saved Madagascar Periwinkle by pushing its pot inwards away from the heavy downpour. Periwinkle 'Apricot Delight’ didn't do well like 'Terrace Vermilion'.

Good thing though as these rains bring lovely cool winds into our home and strings together the melodious symphony of rain pitter-pattering on our roof. These soothing sounds of nature lulls us to sleep.

Calibrachoa (small petunia, million bells)

An exact beauty at Purple Ranch Lavender Farm, Texas (US) http://purpleranch.blogspot.com/2008/04/calibrachoa-at-purple-ranch-lavender.html.

Here's Jim McCausland on Calibrachoa, "This plant - like small petunias, and for years that's what many botanists thought they were. More recently Calibrachoa came to be recognized as a separate genus. This plant spreads and mounds like petunias, but its 1-inch-wide flowers resist the geranium (tobacco) budworms that chew petunias. Since Calibrachoa freely drops its faded flowers, you never have to deadhead. Treat Calibrachoa as a warm-season annual in Sunset climate zones 2–24. However, in mild-winter areas of California (zones 8, 9, 14–24), Calibrachoa can be grown as a perennial (it's hardy to about 23°). Million Bells, the first series on the market, comes in both trailing and mounding forms. The new Superbells series has slightly larger blooms in the blue, pink, red, and white range. For warm tones, look for the MiniFamous series." http://www.sunset.com/sunset/garden/article/0,20633,713304,00.html

Initially Calibrachoa (sometimes known as "Million Bells") are thought to be closely related to the petunia. However on further examination it has been found that there are major differences in chromosomes and breeding behaviour between Calibrachoa and petunias. The name Calibrachoa comes from Antonio de Caly Bracho, who was a Mexican professor of pharmacy (wikipedia).

It grows up to 6-12 in. (15-30 cm) and 1/2 the size of a petunia. Prefers Full Sun / Partial Shade. Blooms repeatedly. Its foliage are herbaceous and propagate through stem cuttings (plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed) - patented cultivars unknown. Usually cuttings from firm stems with two leaf nodes (rooting hormone not required) stuck in regular potting mix, kept warm. Plant three to four cuttings per hanging basket, which will finish in 6-11 weeks. Calibrachoa will take 1-2 weeks longer than petunias.

Recommended to grow in hanging-baskets or where you can control the water saturation because it will flower less or dies when plants roots gets too wet all the time. Calibrachoa is considered to be relatively heavy feeders (200-300 ppm nitrogen); so be sure to keep plantings fertilized to prevent yellowing and lack of flowering. Most of the propagators suggest pinching the plants when they are transplanted, and then repeatedly pinching at 3- to 4-week intervals as needed. Once established it can handle heat and drought.

I bought this Calibrachoa in a plastic 6" hanging-pot from Bukit Rimau nursery today. Had it transplanted into 3 pots shown above. Hanging-pots doesn't appeal to me as you need to reach really high up for frequent light waterings, fertilizing and impossible task to check for pest. Calibrachoa in 2 baskets is placed at our single-window sills (outdoor facing West). While the one in a tall stand is placed next to our main door (North). Unlike the Old Fashioned Vining Petunia, it doesn't have any scent but it's vivid purple color will attract appreciating eyes when one passes by our porch. My fingers are crossed that mine will look as lush as Purple Ranch's and spreads like Jim McCausland's!

Where is Kemuning Palma?

Just in case you might wonder where could this home garden located. Here's a brief run through ... ;-)

• Country: Malaysia comprises Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
• Geographical Location: Located between 2º and 7º north of the Equator, Peninsula Malaysia is separated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea. To the north of Peninsula Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak are north of Indonesia in Borneo while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei.
• Area: 329,758 sq km
• Population: 25,274,132 (July 2008 est.)
• Capital city: Just 513 km (about 6 hours 38 mins by car) from Singapore to Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur.
• Race: Multi-cultural (Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Bumiputras, etc)
• Religion: Multi-ethnic society practising multi-culturalism and multi-religion.
• Language: Bahasa Melayu (primary), English and dialects.
• Festivals: Throughout the year, but major festivals are celebrated on public holiday. http://www.geographia.com/malaysia/festivals.html
• Climate: (Equatorial) Tropical throughout the year, however, the monsoon varies on the coastline of Peninsular Malaysia. On the west coast, the rainy season extends from September to December, whereas the months from October to February receive rainfall on the east coast.
• Rainfall: East Malaysia, it collects heavy rains between the months of November to February. While Peninsular Malaysia receives average rainfall of 2500 mm, East Malaysia thrives in 5080 mm of rain. Monsoon season is on its peak from November to February, though August proves to be the wettest month on the west coast. On the whole, days are quite warm and nights are pretty cool in Malaysia.
• Humidity: 79%, high due to its proximity to waters, the climate is by and large moderately hot.
• Wind: N 3 km/h
• Average Temperature: Temperatures in the lowlands range between 29°C - 35°C during the day and 24°C - 29°C at night, depending on the amount of rainfall and sunlight on that day.

On an average, Malaysia receives about 6 hours of sunshine each day with cloud formations occasionally leading to rainfall. There are two monsoon winds that influence the rainfall at different intervals of the year. The Southwest Monsoon usually occurs between May till September, bringing rainfall to the western side of Peninsular Malaysia. This affects places such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi.

On the other hand, the Northeast Monsoon starts from November and lasts till March, brining heavy rainfall to areas on the east side of Peninsular Malaysia, such as Kuantan, and Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak). As this monsoon wind is particularly strong, it often brings heavy rain to the west side of Peninsular Malaysia as well during this period. However, daytime is usually warm and sunny, with heavy rains only occurring in the evenings onward. Malaysia itself is virtually free of major natural disasters, such as tornados, hurricanes, volcanic disruptions and earthquakes.

How to get to Kemuning Palma?

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  Country: Malaysia (popn. 25 million)
  
  
  
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  State: Selangor Darul Ehsan (popn. 5 million)
  
  
  
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  City: Shah Alam (popn. 500,000)
  
  
  
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  Township: Kemuning Utama
  
  
  
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  Residential: Kemuning Palma (Kemuning Utama) 31 km from the capital city, takes about 38 mins by car, accessible from KESAS highway, and connecting highways are New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), North-South Central Link (Elite), Jalan Bukit Kemuning/LDP, Bukit Rimau Interchange and the proposed Shah Alam-Kemuning Highway (LKSA).
  
  More about LKSA, toll-highway, by Pro Lintas Sdn Bhd stretched to a total of 14.5km;
  http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/1/22/central/20059869&sec=central
  http://www.peow.net/prolintas/2008/02/27-november-2006-lksa-sale-and-purchase.html
  
  Kemuning Utama is township community with projected population of over 32,000 (when completed) in a freehold 524.7-acre development by Paramount Corporation, which is located in Shah Alam with serene lifestyle. Strategically located adjacent to Kota Kemuning.
  
  
  
  
  
• Kemuning Palma Residents' Association
• More information on Lebuhraya Kemuning-Shah Alam (LKSA) at http://canalgardens.blogspot.com/2008/01/more-info-on-lksa.html
• Another cool site that shows surroundings buildings and landmarks at http://wikimapia.org/#lat=3.009371&lon=101.544888&z=15&l=0&m=a&v=2

Torenia, Wishbone Flower

Wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri), is a colorful, modest-sized plant that thrives in shade and hot, humid weather as a result of its original habitat in Vietnam. The common name comes from the two yellow stamens that arch over the center of the petals. http://home.howstuffworks.com/torenia-wishbone-flower.htm

Episcia's Bloom

Episcia Kee Wee started to bud (only one, *sigh*) and it bloom after 3 days and lasted for 4 days. During its bloom, the cloudy weather (rainy season) causing my camera flash to go off. In real life, its red bloom is as red as fresh chilli - striking beside our wooden main door.

Note: I think it doesn't do well with liquid fertilizer, Impra Agro Spray.

I experimented to propagate episcia stolons into a small pot from its mother-plant since 3 days ago, but it doesn't seem to grow well in this recent rainy weather. http://www.robsviolet.com/repotting_episcias.htm

More on Episcia (03-02-2009); Care: Good indirect light, Temp 16 - 21 deg C, keep it on the dry side, pot in peaty mix. This is an attractive plant that grows in a pendulous fashion.
Attractive foliage, and flowers, though small, are of brilliant red colouring and appear for many months in the middle of the year. Where growing conditions are to their liking, these plants can be grouped in hanging baskets of reasonable size to make a splendid feature in a room. Good light is essential, but strong, direct sunlight should be avoided. peacebella.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html

Miniature Rose

Without The Rose - shelbie bozeman

Love is like a rose
good to hold and smell
but then that rose begins to die
and you go through hell;
One thing you should know my friends
is that love can scorn
and just like life
every rose has it's thorns.

But as the rose you hold
withers and fades away
another rose has appeared
and your pains is taken away;
This cycle of life
no one will ever know
why we would fight amongst ourself
for that one single rose;

And even though we try
to let our pain go
we can't do it
without that rose.

• FAQs on Miniature Roses, www.johnsminiatureroses.com/info.html
  Rose Gardening FAQ, http://stason.org/TULARC/crafts/rose-gardening/index.html Natural remedies, http://www.dailyweeder.com/2008/05/06/natural-remedies-for-your-garden/