Demised Plants

Glad to share this comic that appeared in The Star paper dated 8 June 2009.



This comic reminds me of the many plants that died under my care. Hee...hee....guess many of you out there had the same experience like me. But if I were to have a cemetery for each plant that died, it would take up the space of my whole garden! Wa ka ka ka....!

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (YTT)

Brunfelsia Pauciflora
Common Names: Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, morning-noon-and-night, Brazil raintree
Family: Solanaceae (nightshade Family)
Source: Floridata

The name of this plant is Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, in short, YTT (scientific name: Brunfelsia Pauciflora). Isn't that an interesting name? And isn't it wonderful to have a plant that comes with 3 colours for its blooms?

When the nursery guy told me the name of this plant, I found it funny. He then explained to me that the flowers change colour from purple to pink and lastly white before they wilt. That's why it gets such a unique name. The name and flower also reminds me to treasure every moment of our lives as change is unavoidable! Just like these flowers that keep changing colour!

In my photo above, you can see that my YTT plant coincidentally has all the 3 colours of a YTT. There are many blooms but they don't last very long. Even though YTT likes sun, but due to the recent scorching heat, I have to place it under the shade of the taller plants for fear it will be burnt by the heat.

Moon Gardening

Ever heard of Feng Shui & Gardening? Found this an interesting read and wanna share with all of you.

Sunday March 8, 2009
Moon Gardening
VASTHU SASTRA BY T.SELVA

The ancient rhythms of Nature are still the most effective.

WANT to have an awesome garden or a great harvest? Follow the phases of the Moon, as the ancients did.

In Vasthu Sastra, besides ensuring the land is of the proper shape, and plants and object placed correctly, choosing the right time to plant is also important in creating harmony. Because, just as the Moon is known to influence the human body and behaviour and the tides of the sea, it also has an effect on planting, nurturing, and harvesting.

The Moon’s different phases can stimulate root and leaf growth and spur seeds to sprout faster. Flowers bloom larger and brighter, fruits grow juicy, and gardening generally becomes more effective in certain phases. Till today, farmers in India observe Moon stages when planting to ensure fruitful yields.

To explain it very simply, the Moon’s gravitational pull tugs on the surfaces of Earth’s oceans, causing high and low tides; due to the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth at various points, the highest tides occur during the new Moon phase, and when the Sun and Moon are lined up with Earth.

Vasthu Sastra precepts say that the Moon also causes moisture to rise in soil, which encourages growth. Studies have shown that the highest amount of moisture in the soil occurs when the Moon is in its full phase; this is also when – as tests have proven – seeds will absorb the most water.

The Moon has four phases, each lasting about a week: new, first quarter, full, and last or third quarter. “Waxing” is the term describing the Moon on its way from new to full, and “waning”, when it is moving from full to the last quarter; the latter is also known as the dark of the Moon.

New Moon: Seeds should be sown during this phase because the new Moon helps seeds to swell and burst easily. This is when ocean tides are highest – and it is also when gravity pulls water up in soil. This factor, along with the increasing moonlight, creates balanced root and leaf growth.

Plants that should be planted in this phase: cereal crops, like maize and barley; leafy greens like asparagus, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and tomatoes.

Crops that prefer the first quarter, a few days before the full Moon: beans, melons, and pepper.

Full Moon: The Moon’s influence on water is at its strongest during this phase; this is the best time to harvest, and the best time to do it is before midday. This is also the best phase in which to do any baking because the Moon’s influence improves yeast and encourages dough to rise.

Waning Moon: It is best to plant root vegetables such as carrots, onions, groundnuts, and potatoes in this period.

Dark of the Moon: The decreased gravitational pull during this phase offers the best time to prune, do maintenance work, and prepare the ground for planting.

Some farmers who plant according to Moon phases also follow match the phases with their Zodiac cycles, but this can be too complicated for home gardeners. If you’re interested in this aspect, you should consult an astrologer.

Vasthu Sastra also points out that tall plants should be placed in the southern and western quadrants of the plot of land, and vegetables should ideally be planted in the northern and eastern quadrants.

Also, it is recommended that the plot should be one level, or higher in the south-west quadrant and lower in the north-east portion.

About the author:
==============

T. Selva, The Star’s Sunday Metro Editor, has spent years researching and writing about the ancient Indian science of construction, better known as ‘Indian feng shui’.

He is the first disciple of 7th generation Vasthu Sastra Master Yuvaraj Sowma from Chennai, India.

Pasar Tani Shah Alam

Have any of you been to Pasar Tani Shah Alam (Shah Alam Farmers' Market)?

This market is held on every Sunday at the car park of Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam. It is located just opposite Tesco Extra or nearby to Giant Hypermarkets. It attracts many visitors as it has many kind of stalls to cater to variety of interests e.g. gardening, reading, clothing, toys, car, antiques, food and even fresh fruits and vegies from the farms.

Located at the Stadium Malawati's carpark.

The farmers market is one of my favourite place to hunt for gardening items, such as fertilizer, soils, herbs, flowers, plants or even consultation!!

My favourite section is the gardening stalls.

Flowering plants are also available.

Orchids are in abundance. Small orchid seedlings can be bought as cheap as RM2 each.


This is Pakcik Nazri who is very knowledgeable and generous in sharing tips on gardening & fertilizing. He even has reference books to explain details to his customers.

Pakcik Nazri sells many kinds of herbs at his stall. One of them is daun kaduk.



Rosemary, Sage, Kaffir Lime & Mint

Various kind of Basils are also available.

Curry leaf & parsley

Strawberry plant for sale





I bought a pot of Chempaka plant at RM10 only.
I love the strong, sweet fragrant of this flower.

Compost soil is also available for purchase.



Seedlings of various vegetables, such as chilli, brinjal, lady fingers, tomatoes and etc.

How Are My Vegies Growing?

I have germinated some Hong Kong Choy Sum seeds last Monday. Bought the seeds at the Shah Alam Pasar Tani (Farmers Market). At RM1 per packet, the seeds that I got here is so much cheaper than at supermarkets.

This is the stall I go to buy my seeds.

There are so many kind of vegetable seeds to pick from.

Amazingly, by this week I could see some seedlings. This is my first time planting Hong Kong Choy Sum. They look so cute and every day I would be checking them out to see how tall have they grown. Frankly, they don't like any choy sum to me. More like bean sprouts! Hee...hee...

Susan's Enchanting Garden (Part 3)

This would be my last posting of Susan's Enchanting Garden.

A DIY water feature in Susan's garden

Gravel is added to this section to create a simple rock garden.

I like this flower but I don't know the name. There were many tiny blooms.

Added on 3 June 2009: this flower is called Plumbago.

Eastern Flower

Ginger Flower

Susan's Enchanting Garden (Part 2)

I have more beautiful shots of Susan's garden to share with all of you here.

Bright red Anthurium

Beautiful Hydrangeas





I don't know the name of this plant with beautiful rosy bloom.

A beautiful colored leafy plant


Pegaga

A corner of the garden lined up with various types of green plants

Some more adorable ornaments in Susan's garden

Using a hanging basket to place the bird's nest plant and decorating it with 2 cute ornaments show the creativity that Susan has in adding a touch of cosiness to her garden