A photogenic dragonfly

Wishing to keep it as a pet. When distracted, it seem to fly off to distance then return to this spot within 3 seconds. It must be sun-tanning! Been around for 4 days, at that spot, then it went missing after a couple days of heavy downpour.

When mating, dragonflies form a heart shape (symbol of love). They symbolise our ability to transform ourselfs through a spiritual awakening. If you see a dragonfly in an unusual place or setting, it is probably a good symbol meaning luck, transformation, or spiritual awakening. It is also said to symbolise the ability to see reality, to see through illusion. http://blog.spiritsun.net/2008/07/25/spiritual-symbols-butterfly-and-dragonfly.aspx

The dragonfly has been maligned in many cultures in Europe and western world. E.g. a Romanian folk tale says that the dragonfly was once a horse possessed by the devil. Swedish legend holds that trolls use the dragonflies as spindles when weaving their clothes, as well as sending them to poke out the eyes of their enemies. The Southern United States term "snake doctor" refers to a folk belief that dragonflies follow snakes around and stitch them back together if they are injured.
In East Asia and among Native Americans, the dragonflies have a far better reputation, can also be said to have positively influenced modern day views about dragonflies in most countries, the insect's namesake "dragon", has a positive image in the east, but association with evil in the west.

For some Native American tribes; they represent swiftness and activity, and for the Navajo; they symbolize pure water. It is said in some Native American beliefs that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship. In Japan dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness, and they often appear in art and literature, especially haiku.


Dragonflies typically eat mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies, bees, ants and butterflies. They are therefore valued as predators, since they help control populations of harmful insects. Dragonflies are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, known as "nymphs", are aquatic. Adult dragonflies do not bite or sting humans, though nymphs are capable of delivering a painful bite. (wikipedia)
Traditional uses as medicine in Japan and China; a delicacy in Indonesia. Vietnamese have a traditional way to forecast rain: "Chuồn chuồn bay thấp thì mýa, bay cao thì nắng, bay vừa thì râm" (Dragonflies fly at low level, it is rainy; dragonflies fly at high level, it is sunny; dragonflies fly at medium level, it is shadowy).

Lifespan can be as short as six months or as long as six or seven years. Most of a dragonfly's life is spent in the larval stage (nymph), living in water, breathing through gills, and feeding on smaller aquatic animals -- sometimes even tadpoles and small fish. As an adults, they live for about four more months.

"For the Japanese; an auspicious symbol, with its wonderful iridescent colors".

Good morning to Bright, Sunny and Yellow

2 months later, Yellow Alder (Turnera ulmifolia) grown quite bushy and blooming profusely - blooms once but everyday!

a) Our Sunday morning greeted by 6 bright-yellow blooms

b) New stems emerging.

d) Torenia Wishbone 'Bluewings' in the background (brought by in-law) have all faded and died. Now, countless seedlings has emerged - have yet to snap a pic when they are bigger and significant. I'm scarce-watering, for fear of root-rot.

c) Checkout the grasshopper. What do Grasshoppers Eat? Grasshoppers are herbivores. They eat plants, and lots of them.

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!