Happy Mother's Day!

Hope it's not too late to wish each & every mom out there a 'Wonderful Mother's Day'

It has been quite a while since my last post to this blog, been really busy with everyday errands. The weather in this beautiful country is fast climbing up the scale, with the highest average recorded temperature for the whole of last week being 33deg celcius.

Every year, the month of May is the most memorable month for me..firstly being my birthday falls on this month, it also a month where a special 1st Sunday will be a tribute to all mothers.

As a tribute to all mothers out there who visited this blog, young or old & wherever you are...I've compiled part of my collection of pictures of my special blooms throughout my gardening passion for your viewing pleasure. Have a wonderful Mother's Day today with your loved ones. Sit back & do enjoy the slideshow.


A special tribute to all the special moms out there, young or old...this is for you coz you're special & unique as these blooms.....

Another new home??

Few days ago, while browsing through my potted plants especially those tall shrubs..I noticed there's a new bird nest in the making. Other than the swift that have been sharing our home for almost two years now, this new resident bird home is totally not related to the former.

Firstly, the nest are totally made of dried grasses and twigs and secondly, it is located in between the branches of my slightly tall Dracaena Surculosa var Punculata (commonly known in Malay as Pokok Buluh Jepun, indirectly translated as the Japanese Bamboo). Till now, I have not seen the owner of the nest..could be it has been abandoned for various reasons.



I also discovered another possible 'home', which is stuck in between my blooming purple bougainvillea shrub.


Last but not least, the tenants that have been sharing the corner of my home for almost two years..increasingly by the day.

Now, you see it & Now, you don't.......

It's not the famous chocolate chip cookies commercial that we often see on television, it's not even related to any food products whatsoever.

Recently, while pruning & fertilising my potted garden, I noticed two very unusual, beautiful insects hiding & camouflaging themselves in between the foliage. The beauty of the designs on their wings are so very unique & beautiful. For once, I was quite stunned with admiration with the beauty of Allah's creation. Enjoy the beauties:

Can't believe it! It fructify.....

When we came back from our short trip from Kuala Lumpur last August, I noticed some flowers around the tiny stem of the plant. My assumption was, perhaps due to the lack of water (been away for a week), the humid hot weather will actually trigger most plants to produce blooms. After a week, I noticed that the flowers withered and small fruits appeared. I just can't believe it that my Belimbing Buluh tree or should I still consider it a plant is actually bearing normal size fruits. Uummm, it's really unexpected from such a small plant but I will pluck them in no time to add to my sambal, vegetable dalca or acar buah that I'm planning to cook.




Why I still consider it a plant and not a tree?? The height of the plant is not even a metre tall considering it can actually reach to the height of 5 mtrs to 10 mtrs tall upon maturity. Furthermore, I bought the seedling, planted in a black polybag at the local Sunday market around 6 months ago for a mere $3 in local currency.


The Belimbing Buluh is a local favorite plant/tree and is a close relative of the Carambola or popularly known as the Starfruit. Botanically the Belimbing Buluh is known as Averrhoa Bilimbii and it is also known as the Cucumber tree, Blimbling, Tree Sorrel and many other names. Apparently it originated from the Molluccas, Indonesia and the species is mostly cultivated or found semi-wild throughout Indonesia, Phillippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Myanmar. It is also commonly found in other Southeast Asian countries. It is considered a tropical tree, less resistant to cold if compared to the Carambola (Starfruit).

The plant is considered long-lived, can reach up to the height between 5 mtrs to 10 mtrs tall with the short trunk quickly divided into upright branches. The oblong 11 to 37 leaflets are alternately arranged in a cluster on a long stem about 30cm to 60cm long. The dark-red flowers, appearing in panicles, bloom from the trunk and oldest branches, are small and fragrant and often in great number towards the bottom of the tree. Bright-green fruits follow,5cm to 8cm in length, often in clusters and a single tree often produces hundreds and hundreds of fruits. The fruits of the Belimbii which is very sour compared to the Carambola (Starfruit) are often added onto some of the Malay cuisines such as Sambal dishes, curry dishes & others.



The fruit is traditionally used to help those suffering from high blood pressure and from high fever. For treating high blood pressure sufferers, the fruits are blended, drained to obtain just the juice and drink either in the morning or night. If prefer, sweeteners can be added to the juice since the juice by itself is bitter. The leaves are washed, hand crushed and put onto a piece of cloth which is then put or leave on the forehead to relieve high fever. In some parts of Malaysia the leaves of bilimbi are used as a treatment for venereal disease. A leaf decoction* is taken as a medicine to relieve rectal inflammation. It also seems to be effective against coughs and thrush.

Propagation is by seeds from the ripe fruits or by grafting from a strong, matured stem. This plant grows well in rich, well-drained medium (also stands limestone & sand).



**decoction - extraction by boiling, essence obtained


Since the Eid festivities is just around the corner, I've added Hari Raya songs in my playlist for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Spiral Ginger

The Spiral Ginger is of no-relation whatsoever to the ginger that we use for our culinary dishes. The plant is also commonly known as Red Button Ginger, Panamian Candle Ginger, Dwarf French Kiss or by any other names. Botanically, the plant is call Costus Woodsonii from the Costaceae family, sister family of the true gingers, the Zingiberaceae. Presently, there are over 90 or so species of the Costus.

I bought my one and only Spiral Ginger plant for a mere $2, then planted in a black poly bag. It have since matured and a proud distributor or another word, a mother to many plantlets that I propagated and given to friends.



The Spiral Ginger is an all year blooming plant. Native to Central America, it is an attractive small plant that can reach to the height of approximately 3ft tall (approx 1 metre). The brightly red heads that looks like cones do create a very nice contrast to the green shiny foliage on spiral stems (I guess that's where the word spiral is derived from). Flowers will emerge from between the bracts of the cone from colours of yellow to orange.


As for the green shiny leaves, they are so how pre-arranged in a spiral or alternately along the stems. In many species, even the stems is spiralled.


Propagation is by stem cuttings or plantlets that appeared from the matured dried-up flower cones onto well-drained medium. The plant is a fast grower and loves rich moist medium but not wet. To produce thick healthy plant stems,it's best to fertlise the medium once every 2 or 3 weeks. The Spiral Ginger plant prefers shade with indirect sunlight and grows well in containers.


** Ramadhan Kareem to all my Muslim guest. May this holy month of Ramadhan bring you much faith, self fulfillment with joy, happiness and solace. Ameen.

Ramadhan's Feed The Fasting 2008

Just a short break from my usual green finger's write-ups....I would like to share this with everyone visiting this blog. Let us do a bit of charitable deed, for just RM50 (50 Malaysian ringgit), you can help to lighten up the burden of a poor family of five this upcoming holy month of Ramadhan. Your donation will help the Islamic Relief Malaysia in buying and delivering the food packages containing rice, flour, sugar, tea, canned food, salt and dates to them. Visit this website for more information.


Not only you can feed the poor in Malaysia, they can also deliver it to the poor in 25 countries where they are currently working to help them.



Fasting is obligatory on all Muslims, rich or poor. Some Muslims enjoy the luxury of breaking their fast in hotels and restaurants. The majority, however, are blessed to be able to enjoy good food at home in the company of family and friends. But let’s not forget that there are people at home and abroad who are so impoverished that they literally fast every day. They comprise of impoverished families, orphans and single parents.

This year once again Islamic Relief Malaysia is running its 'RAMADHAN FEED THE FASTING' Programme to help the needy through distributing food packages to the poor Muslims locally and internationally during this holy month of Ramadhan.

DONATE NOW!! YOUR RM50 CAN FEED A FAMILY OF FIVE FOR 2 WEEKS

CLICK HERE to donate online or direct bank-in to
MBB Acc. No: 5621 4270 8704 or
CIMB Acc. No: 1259 0000 804 058

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.

Stem Cuttings...or should it be Leaf Cuttings!!!

It was really a surprise yesterday night to find a small red paper bag on the stairs of my house. I was opening the bag very slowly, not knowing what to expect and there it was..a few stem cuttings of African Violets freshly packed in small 'ziploc' plastic bags, individually labelled. There's only one person that come across my mind on that very moment..yes, Kak Mona. Was she really here at my place when we were out yesterday afternoon??


It was a public holiday yesterday, the Brunei Armed Forces Day. Since my spouse had a day off and the children not having to attend school, we decided to have a day 'out' in the afternoon as well as to do some grocery shopping. As a matter of fact, I was also on a mission to find any African Violet plants for sale at some of the shopping establishments here but sad to say, this particular type of plant is not commonly available here..not like back home, where we can easily find them in almost all supermarkets & nurseries. I really miss visiting the nurseries back home.

Right after unpacking my groceries and fulfilling my religious obligations, I wait no time to quickly germinate the stem cuttings. The small flower plastic pots that I bought previously was filled with the recommended combination of medium with each individual stem cutting carefully placed in the plastic pot and labelled accordingly. I was very excited with the whole process and just can't wait to see the success, only time will tell.


The re-potted plants given previously (above picture) and the new cuttings freshly germinated in smaller pots (below picture), all from the compliments of a dear friend, Kak Mona.


Thanks again Kak Mona for the cuttings and the seeds..at least part of my mission have been accomplished.

All Ready For The New Hobby......

Oh no, don't be fooled by the title..I'm not into a new hobby...it's still amateur gardening but with different category of plants.

Last Saturday morning, our main mission (myself & spouse) was to duplicate my daughter's school locker key which we had been trying to do so at a few shops without any avail for the past weeks. That day, we decided to try our luck at one of the popular business area here somewhere in Menglait, Gadong. While driving slowly from one building block to another, one particular shop with its familiar displays caught my attention. Tuck in between the ever popular 'Health & Spa' outlets that the area are locally well-known for, is a shop selling almost all the gardening needs for a 'green finger'...the Fertiland Company. I have been looking for some special potting medium here for some special plants without avail until I discovered this shop...its really a blessing!



Above are the items that I bought from the shop and I'm all ready for the new type of plants ie..the African Violets & other genesriads. One of these days, I will be on another mission, venturing around the town looking for the specific type of plants...which is not easy since most of these specific plants are not 'yet' that popular here. Insya'allah, my mission will be accomplished!

First Bloomers!!!

Other than the recent blooms produced by the pitcher plants, recently there are a few plants that presented us with their first blooms too. Enjoy the beautiful flowers.

My current experiment!!

It has been a while since I posted any development to this blog...my last few weeks have been quite tiring and emotional. We are very sad on receiving news of my spouse's father being seriously taken ill to a hospital back home. Due to some personal matters to attend and with children attending school, only my spouse will be able to return to our homeland after hearing the news. My father-in-law passed away peacefully during the wee hours of Monday morning, 7th April 2008 in his hospital bed. To all muslims who read this, please pray for his soul to be rested peacefully among the pious and may ALLAH bless his soul...Al-Fathihah for Allahyarham Hashim Bin Mohamad.

Recently, involving some members of the GCS, we are experimenting on the seed growing project of Sinningias, a beautiful flowering plant which usually favours the cool temperature. With the kind generosity of one of the pioneer member of GCS, the seeds were distributed to other members who are interested to participate in this project. These seeds are really 'minute' and germinating them really needs one's patience. I've sowed my seeds this week and the waiting game begins for the first sprout to emerge..well, I'm really excited about it.




Thanks Kak Mona for the seeds as well as for the pots of other plants that you sent me. As you can see, the Episcia flower bud is already in full bloom and soon I will propagate the two stolons to other pots. I just love the cute African violets and the unique heart-shaped leaf of the Hoya Kerrii.



During those weeks, two of the pitcher plants are producing unique blooms. Up till now, the blooms are still intact with the colour changing from light to darker maroon. I guess, with all these unique plants producing blooms...they are just happy to be here together with the other plants in our potted garden.

Amazing Whites

Recently, there have been a quite a number of plants in our potted garden that blooming white flowers. Some of the blooms produced sweet fragrance and some are just plain odourless with each individual type of bloom creating a presence of its own. The Jasmine Orange or scientifically known as Murraya Puniculata (locally known as the Kemunting Cina) as shown in the above picture produces sweet smelling fragrance with the scent getting stronger as the darkness of the night approaches. The Peace Lily or scientifically known as Spathiphyllum (below picture) produces blooms similar to that of the Flamingo Flower (Anthurium). Why is it called a Peace Lily?? From my opinion, the name could derived from the bloom that it produced, a piece of large white petal sitting at the end of a straight stem thus resembling a white flag for peace...just my 2 cents worth. The plant comes in a variety of hybrid species, easy to care, love rich medium (fertilize at least once every 2 weeks) and it is also one of the best indoor plants.


These are the other recent white blooms in our potted garden (below pictures). There have been quite a few of flower buds appearing nowadays, triggered by the recent hot spell during the day and wet nights..well we are absolutely not complaining, actually putting a really big smile on our faces..patience really pays off!

Sun-loving species of White Lilies with broad, dark green, saucer-shaped leaves

Sun-loving Mexican Sword plant, categorised as an aquatic plant

Sui-Mei, Easter tree or Wrightia Antidysenterica (locally known as Jasmin Cina, odourless shrub)

Wild orchid, found in between the pitcher plants....took estimated 2 years to mature & produce flowers

Tropical Bleeding Heart Vine, also known as Bag Flower or Glory Tree

One of our bright, cheerful collection of sun-loving Bougainvillea in white blooms