Yippee rain! O blessed rain, a gift from sky to earth.
Light rains that last between 3 to 15 mins. Temperatures 27-28°C with high humidity 79%. So it feels like 32°C instead.
It was 3' tall 2 months ago, now reaching 4.5' tall. Expecting 5' in June, wait and see.
It withstood harsh sunlight, torrential rain and minimal fertilizer (time-release fertilizer once a month); growing well as compared to Catharanthus roseas or Madagascar periwinkle.
Notice a couple of black Carpenter ants (bottom-right)? Carpenter ants are are outside insects; not dirty, not vectors or carriers of any disease, do not sting and cannot really "hurt" you. Population is high when moisture is abundant. Lots of rain often means more carpenter ants are forced from their normal habitats into the areas where you see them. On sunny days, these ants would be crawling everywhere in the garden because they prefer hot!
Carpenter ants do not damage a structure like termite colony and (the good news) they are mortal enemies. When they do meet, there is WAR! Usually, the ants win, they are much tougher than termites. Besides, the ants are terrestrial, while termites are not, and the open ground is where they generally meet. More advices from exterminator expert at http://unexco.com/carpants.html. Life-cycle of Carpenter ant about a week.
Thousands of Ixora buds.
Previously, we've bought a 3' tall water plant and divided into 2 pots, placed diagonally in our courtyard - softens the water feature's hardscape. At the end of the bloom, sprout of growth emerged. The plant was getting leggy and out-of control, so I trimmed the young shoots and potted into our smaller water feature in the porch. Concerned as the little water plant's leaves gets "fried" easily during sunset. 6 months later, voilà! Flower buds emerged! I snapped this pic during sunrise. Strangely, no buds sighted on the 2 pots of larger water-plant. Puzzling.
Nursery caretaker told us that it is water-orchid, but the profile didn't fit.
Closest resemblance would be the Maianthemum bifolium or May Lili, somehow the flower didn't quite match. I'm still searching for its name and welcome reader's suggestion/advice.
Update May 17,'09: Looks similar to Common Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica), also known as Mad-dog weed, grows in shallow water, and consists of a fibrous root.
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