Garden Update - August 2009

This is my overall garden tending during this season (August 2009) I'm thinking of closing my garden development and just maintain in watering and light care till end of this year. I already exhausted my of the garden space with many potted plants. I still got a few more to sort and set which I have no idea where to place them.

As for now, I would consider this the final thing. Hopefully, no inspiration strike me and make me to re-design the whole thing.




This side consist of my water garden, the water lily plant and water lettuce. The waterlily plant have settle in being a dormant plant. I was thinking of trimming off all the damaged, semi-dried leaves and put fertiliser for the next bloom. May only do that, after sorting all the mess that is not shown at the other side of the garden.


My tiny fish is surviving in those pool, thanks to them, there is no mosquito infestation. The green background is something I'm still considering whether to change it or not. But to remove and relocate it requires space which I do not have. Its a pity to give it away as I have yet to enjoy the hibiscus & the water jasmine flowers or fragrance.

Plants that can be noted:

a) Spanish Moss - they look so beautiful in the morning, so much like a weeping willow type of scenerio.



Plants:
a) Those in small pots & blue containers - Hanni.
b) The white & green - Varigated Bougainvilla

My central portion of the garden is slowly getting crowded. I'm feeling good about it as it gives the explosion of colours and that is a good sign. What is troublesome is unpredictability. Not sure what is going to outgrow next or die first, especially coleus - they are very short term, may only thrive in 3-4 months period time.

And too much of anything can kill them (water, sun or fertiliser)

My planter box had reached the glorious moment, it was not like that when I first started it, they look all exposed earth (brown) and gaps here and there. Now the coleus reigns.

a) Balsam (not yet flowered)

b) 3 different types of painted Nettle (Coleus)

c) top right corner - Dumbcane varigated.

d) lower right corner - Purple Queen

The side face of the garden, here begonia rules.

Cane begonia and the curled leaf begonia give colour together with the hanni (drawf looking mother of tongue plant) I had placed a periwinkle in the midst, they give me a pee-a-boo effect when they bloom in these foliage.

The hanging flame violet are very grand now, hopefully they continue as I'm concerned that they are reaching their maturity stage where the whole plant dies. Still hoping that it last as long as it can support the weight and its collection of tendrils and floral.

Here is a pocket of plants which I'm still working on

a) Green Tradescantia - centre below

b) 2 pots of Pandan plant

c) a small bird nest fern plant - passed by my office mate (she often weeds these out and passed to others)

d) Back - Maiden Hair Fern.

This is the story of Wormwood marrying the Lucky bamboo (varigated type)

Dracaena sanderiana, known as Ribbon Dracaena, Lucky Bamboo, Belgian Evergreen or sometimes Ribbon Plant. It is also can be artificially made into spirals - often sold for decorations.

I did mention before that they are doing fine and all. I still admire the mix, noticed this morning some of the bamboo leaves are drying up. Need to prune them in these few days time.

My sad story of crown rot (ground orchid/palm orchid) because of over fertilising, I manage to salvage what is left over of the damage. Like a half burnt coconut tree. Somehow, they survived and I'm feeling grateful that I didn't loose the whole plant because of my mistake.

I have temporarily place these cattleya orchids here, may need to reposition them for their optimum light and wellness, that is once I settle the rest.

This is the outside part of my garden, I didn't realise how messy it looked now. With all the small containers and pots for little plants, they have found a place to grow and bloom. I guess its time to stop planting new plants and maintain what I have now.

Ohh.. I wished I have more space to garden.

The challenge now is to make them look neat and tidy.

Finally at the side gate:
a) Top left : Squirrel foot fern

b) bottom stretch: Petticoat fern & Boston fern

c) Centre: Madagascar Periwinkle

d) Top right: Reed orchid