When Canes Go Dumb

These are the dumbcane species I have in my garden. I realise now that these are now known as Dieffenbachias and the common name "dumbcane" seemed to be slowly fading. What a strange name for a plant, later I found that its because the name commemorates Ernst Didffenbach, a German physician.

I started liking dumbcanes because of their variegated patterned leaves. There seemed to be some new species sold in supermarket for a very affordable prices in every few months. These are my favourites. I have yet to identify their specific names but then, its ok (They all represent like birds of a feather)

If you have the intention to have a white or cream coloured theme garden, do choose these. They are hardy and easy to maintain. They can also able handle neglect when not watered for few days. I guess the cane stores the energy & food supply.

Though they are beautiful, these are touch me not type of plant. The leaves are poisonous & may cause rashes. I had suffered burning sensation on my hands when I was trimming the excess roots as I was replanting it. Watch out for the milk sap.

Do keep them in distance where you would not brush when come in contact when walking in the garden. In the morning, water droplet form at the tip of these leaves. Those too are poisonous. I would not recommend them to use their leaves for flower arrangements, unless its more likely placed in area where is it seem but not touched.

Probably I like the idea of danger in my garden. Like having carnivores plants, poisonous but beautiful flowers. If you do, I strongly suggest not to plant a herb or vegetable plant beside these. You don't want to consume some tomatoes or greens and find that you loose your voice.

I got more information about this plant in my blog which I don't want to repeat myself here.

Do check on here for more info: Dumbcane

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Its been raining almost everyday and that had made the snails & the slugs to have a party all nite. The poisoned leaf didn't make any effect on them.
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These are the very common ones found as landscape areas & also in many abandon areas. Not so attractive compared to others. I didn't plant this one in my garden.
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Orchid Garden in Kuala Lumpur

Here is a covered canopy walkway with some nice shaded plants. I like those roots trailing everywhere - it gives a untamed tropical look. The Ground Orchids & the Dendrobium Orchids were placed here (from my earlier post) Also at some intervals, you can spot Golden Shower Orchids in the midst of these greens.

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Healthy looking Peace Lily, didn't quite notice the green flowers until they turn white.

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This is a lovely Philodendron bipinnatifidum. I admire those octopus like branches both roots & leave stalks, wish I had such a great space to keep all these crawlers everywhere. 10 years ago, this place was arrayed with many types of orchids, now it been replaced with these.

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Just at the side top of the canopy walk I found a Plumeria Tree with bunches of this Staghorn Fern plants. It look so grand and complete, often times I find the hanging part torn & damaged but here it has a perfect fronts.
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There is also a water lily pond with these blue jewels. This concludes my tour in this Orchid Garden. I guess I have covered a good portion of this garden and hope most of you would have enjoyed most of the pictures here. Its a nice place to hang out & enjoy.

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The area is small & you can take a quick stroll around this place within an hour. I had managed to compile all these pictures within 3 trips during my lunch breaks. I would love to go there again but its been raining everyday almost every few hours & when its not raining its very cloudy.

Missed those very sunny days.
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The Common Ones

Location: Orchid Garden in Kuala Lumpur.

These are the most common orchid that are usually found in most gardens here. Its sold for a very cheap price usually 3 pots for RM10.00.
These are Hybrid Dendrobium Phalaenopsis, they look like moth orchid but much more hardier then the true phalaenopsis.

They are sun lovers, they can manage in semi-shade area. Dendrobium stores its food in its cane just like Cattleya in its pseudo-bulbs. So be careful of keeping the roots soggy as that will cause root rot. Allow the roots to dry before the next watering.

Very often I have seen these orchids hanging on the fence where the leaves had dropped and the stem just drying up by neglect. Eventually these will be thrown away because of their unattractive appearance.

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Note how the healthy roots should look like. There are an ecosystem of moss, fungus and probably microbes all living together in these exposed root system.

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Before buying any orchids, always check the roots. These will tell you whether the plant had established its root system or a new plant just putting out its roots.

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Sometimes the vendor may remove an orchid plant and reposition it in a new pot and put it for sale. If the plant had not settled & secured it roots, it will create an additional stress as the plant had to adapt to new location & environments.

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These are Bamboo Orchid (Arundina graminifolia), very much a native plant here seen growing along roadsides. It look very much like reed like bamboo plant.

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I have seen the miniature type sold in the supermarket where its just about a few inches and put out few flowers. I guess the flowers do not last very long.

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This would definitely look good for those who have a grass theme plant in the garden, bamboo's, reeds & orchid bamboo goes well together.

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