My Precious Lotus.

Just an update on the lotus seeds that we germinated about 3 months ago.


From these seeds (picture above).......to these healthy plants (pictures below)





The size of the leaves have grown from a tiny 1cm in diameter to the present 12cm in diameter. Hopefully, with more nutrients added (special fertiliser for aquatic plants), the leaves will grow bigger in size with strong thick stems and eventually produces blooms. Presently, we are satisfied & happy with the current progress of the lotus plants that we have always longing to own. Thanks again to the kind & generous Encik that gave us the seeds months ago.

A Community Of Its Own.....

Just a few months after spotting the first nest made by the swallows, the so-called community have recently grown in size. It seems that the special spot or plot that they claimed their own, is fast becoming a popular, sought-after property now (at least for the swallows)...maybe I could even sense the increase or rise in this property 'valuable' space among them..hehehe.

These are the recent photos taken as at approximately 12 noon today (30th July 2008).





Actually, we just love to have them around to share our home but just look at all the aftermath mess that they have left behind & all the cleaning that need to be done daily....uurrgghhh.

Oh, My Bleeding Heart !!

One of my favourite all-time climbing vine is the Bleeding Heart Vine, also known as Bleeding Glorybower, Bag Flower and is a native of Tropical Africa. Botanically it is known as Clerodendrum Thomsoniae and there are over 400 species of Clerodendrums and mostly can be found in warm climatic regions.



The Bleeding Heart vine have very showy flowers and a non-invasive climber suitable for fences, pergolas or trellis. The plant can tolerate full sun but prefer partial shade and just love well-drained, rich organic medium. They are long flowering plant with attractive green foliage, The white calyx flowers are grouped in an axillary terminal with a scarlet-red corolla and prominent stamens.



Propagation is by form of seeds or by stem cuttings, which the latter are much preferred (faster time-frame) onto well-drained, organic rich medium. Frequent organic fertiliser is advisable (ie. once every 2 weeks)to maintain a healthy plant as well as to encourage frequent blooming. Other than fertilising, to encourage more flowers, pruning is advisable after the plant has stopped blooming.