Count Your Blessings!

With love and passion, everyone can have a nice garden...Elaine Yim

Count Your Blessings!
Count The Garden By The Flowers, Never By The Leaves That Fall.
Count Your Life With Smiles And Not The Tears That Roll.
..... Author unknown.

Knowing me, Knowing you..... Aha.....!

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Malaysian Flora USDA Zone 11
Welcome to our exotic world of everlasting summers and tropical rainforests!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Grasshoppers Mating PG13





“Wordless Wednesday - Grasshoppers Mating PG13”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on September 29th, 2010.






This is my entry for Wordless Wednesday, the link is here.
For the Hot, The Loud and The Proud No. 7, please visit A Plant Fanatic in Hawaii blog.
For this week's Fertilizer Friday, visit Tootsie at Tootsie Time here.

Update:
1. Thanks to Orchid de Dangau's comment for the following information:
The grasshopper is called "belalang kunyit" in Malay, meaning 'turmeric grasshoppers'. The scientific name is Valanga nigricornis (Burmeister or Javanese grasshopper), from the Family: Acrididae. These grasshoppers are regarded as agriculture pests. They can also be grilled/roasted and eaten as they are high in proteins.

2. Andrea of Andrea In This Lifetime blog is posting exotic hibiscus with unusual colours and a pair of mating blue butterflies. Her post link is here.

3. MNG BREAKING NEWS! A bugs wedding ceremony is being held at the Onenezz's Garden. All are invited to One's blog, please click on the link here.

Kanak of Terra Farmer blog is posting a pair of mating butterflies here.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Mid Autumn Festival 2010 and Water Caltrops


Today, September 22nd, 2010 is the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the day of the Mid Autumn Festival. It is also known as Mooncake Festival, Lantern Festival and Festival of Reunion. In Malaysia, it is a working day but all of us can join in the fun, the multi-racial way. We celebrate at home, are invited to open houses, parties or join lantern parades at night.


We buy moon cakes home and we also give them away to friends and relatives. It is a time when family members get together again. The full moon on this day symbolizes reunion and togetherness.

“Mid Autumn Festival 2010 and Water Caltrops”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on September 22nd 2010.


Scientific name: Trapa nutans
Common name: Water caltrop, European water chestnuts, bull's horns. 
Family: Lythraceae

The Chinese name is "ling kok" (Cantonese) or líng jiǎo (菱角), líng meaning "caltrop" and jiǎo meaning "horn."

Thanks to Orchid de Dangau, it is called called "kacang tanduk" in Malay, meaning horn nuts.

For its English term, the plant is named after the caltrop, an ancient weapon made of iron with  four pointed sides. The name "caltrop" is derived from the Latin word "calcitrapa" meaning foot-trap. Similarly, this plant also poses the same hazards to the bare or unprotected feet.

European water chestnuts are different from Chinese water chestnuts (Eleocharis dulcis) which is rounded and looks like an onion bulb. Chinese water chestnuts can be eaten raw and tastes crunchy and sweet.

Besides pomelos and mooncakes, it is also customary to have taro roots / mini yam and water caltrops. We prepare the taro roots and water caltrops by boiling them in water with a little bit of salt added for about 20-30 min. In Malaysia, water caltrops are only available during this season. This floating aquatic plant bears fruits that are shaped like a bull's horns. There is only one seed in each fruit pod which turns from green to shiny black. Water caltrop cannot be eaten raw because it contains a harmful parasite. When boiled, the seed tastes like chestnut. According to Wikipedia, this plant has been cultivated in China and India more than 3,000 years ago. It is boiled and sold as a streetside snack.

Water caltrop which looks like the bulls horns symbolises preseverence. It also looks like a bat which is an auspicious symbol of prosperity (fu).

Paper lanterns in front of a shop at Pasir Pinji, Ipoh

Children love these lanterns. That was what I loved to play when I was a kid. After dinner, we would take out our colourful paper lanterns and gather with friends where we set out in groups, parading our lanterns. We love to get the adrenalin pumping by carrying our lanterns to the eerie and dark places. When suddenly somebody shouted, "Ghost!", we would scream and run for our lives, sometimes getting our lanterns burnt in the process. There were tears but also lots of laughter as well. I really enjoyed myself playing with lanterns and meeting new friends during this season. I used to dread growing up as I was worried that I won't be able to play lanterns anymore.

Which one is your favourite shape?


These lanterns are used to light up a display area at a shopping complex. The theme is "Old Shanghai" where they tried to reenact old times when people worshiped the moon during a mid summer night and scholars wrote poetry praising the beauty of the full moon. Sayings like "the moon is full  and bright" or "fragrant and sweet" abound as people sat down to enjoy the glorious moon while savouring the tasty mooncakes.

Another traditional Chinese custom is the "Guessing the Lantern Riddles" games/contests where riddles are written on pieces of paper and hung on the lanterns. The riddles are usually based on poetry, history and culture. In the old days, it was a time when the gentlemen could impress the young ladies with their knowledge and high IQ. Sometimes lantern making contests are held.


Long ago, it was a time when farmers celebrated the end of a harvest season and family members gather together to enjoy the brightness of the autumn moon. A table would be laid out with offerings and incense for prayers when the moon comes out at night (8-10pm). Candle-lit lanterns are hung decoratively. It is always a joy to watch children playing with the colourful lanterns where paper dragons, rabbits and phoenixes come to life under the bright lights of the little wax candles. The moon must be visible before we start praying. During prayers, we will light up the candles, joss sticks and burn incense paper. After prayers, the offerings like pomelos, oranges, apples, mooncakes, taro roots, water caltrop, groundnuts, melon seeds and tea will be enjoyed by everyone. It is believed that eating these items that has been offered first to the gods will bring us good luck. Young ladies pray to Chang'E with flowers and makeup, asking to be blessed with her beauty. In folklore, it is believed that even though Chang'E is in heaven now and lives on the moon, she still misses Hou-yi and the mortal beings she left behind on earth. Therefore, it is hoped by praying to her, she will bless and look after us.

If you wish to know more about the origin of the mooncake and the legend of Chang'E in relation to the Mid Autumn Festival, please read my 2009 post here.

I wonder if anyone has heard of or remember an ancient folklore about The Old Man of The Moon (月下老人)  or the God of Marriage. He lives on the moon and keeps a record book of the names of all newborns. He is the only one who knows everyone's future life partner. It is believed that marriages are made in heaven and prepared on the moon and he holds the key to the answers. Well, some people prayed to him hoping that he will grant their wishes.

Do you believe that marriages are made in heaven?

This is my entry for My World Tuesday, the link is here.
Also, my entry for Fertilizer Friday, the link is here.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Mid Autumn Festival - Why the Pomelo Fruit and Where to Buy Pomelo


I have a pomelo tree which I grow in a big flower pot. A normal sized tree when planted on the ground can reach up to a height of 5-15 metres (16-50 ft).  Pomelo leaves are constantly needed for prayers and cleansing. We add some pomelo leaves to our washing basin/tub or bath water to cleanse the hands and body before prayers or after a visit to the hospital, graves or funeral. Taoist masters sometimes use a stalk of pomelo leaves to sprinkle sacred/charmed water in cleansing rituals.  Pomelo leaves have a mild fragrance similar to that of citronella.

The flowers are fragrant and they can be used to make aromatic oils and perfumes.


Scientific name: Citrus maxima
Synonym: Citrus grandis
Family: Rutaceae
Common name: Pomelo
Native to: Southeast Asia

Pomelo is the word to use for the plant as well as the fruit. In Chinese it is called 'you zi' (柚子). In Malay, it is called 'limau Bali' meaning Bali lime/orange.


The pomelo is the ancestor of the grapefruit which is a cross between the pomelo and orange. It is the largest citrus fruit at 15-25cm (6-10 inches) in diameter and weighs between 1-2 kg. The skin changes from pale green to yellow when ripe. It is much bigger than the grapefruit and the flesh tastes better.

Like mooncakes, pomelo fruits are traditionally associated with the Mid Autumn Festival. You can say that it is a must have during this season. We use it as a prayer offering and place it on the altar. Pomelo fruits being round in appearance signifies family unity and togetherness. Pomelos are called 'you zi' in Chinese which when pronounced, 'you' sounds like 'having' and this signifies abundance and wealth. 'You zi' also sounds like 'having sons or off-springs' which will thus ensure the continuity of the future generations. Either way, these are symbols of prosperity and good fortune.

“Mid Autumn Festival - Pomelo Fruits”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on September 19th, 2010.


The above is a concrete replica of the pomelo fruit erected by the Ipoh City Hall in front of a stretch of pomelo stalls along Jalan Gopeng opposite Hillcity Hotel and Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple. This area is a tourist attraction and they arrive here by the bus loads. There are several famous cave temples nearby, e.g. Ling Sen Tong, Guan Yin Tong, Nan Thean Tong and Sam Poh Tong.

Visitors who come to Ipoh buy pomelo fruits to bring back home as gifts to family and friends.  Conversely, Ipohlites who leave town to visit friends and relatives will bring along the pomeloes as gifts.  The pomelo has become synonymous with Ipoh, hence it is a must-try if it is your first time in Ipoh.

A pomelo farm in Tambun, Ipoh

Malaysia's climate is ideal for pomelo farming. The best pomeloes in Malaysia are reputed to be from Tambun which is a 10 min drive from Ipoh city.  Tambun is surrounded by rocky, rainforested limestone hills as old as 400 million years and the calcium rich soil acts as a natural fertilizer, hence the fruits produced are extra tasty and juicy. Tambun pomeloes are so famous for its quality fruits that many of us call the pomelo, Limau Tambun or "Tambun lime".  Tambun pomeloes are seedless. The biggest pomelo from Tambun weighed more than 6 kg!

Pomelos from Gerai Limau Bali Heng Kee in Tambun, Ipoh.

Pomelo orchards are concentrated around the Tambun and neighbouring Ampang districts of Ipoh. Most of the orchards are family owned and many of them have been in the pomelo business for more than 2 generations which dates back to more than 80 years ago. Locals like me who wish to buy fresh fruits direct from the farmers will come here for the best quality and most reasonable prices. When choosing pomelos, select the heavier ones to ensure that the flesh is juicy and not dried up.

For those of us who wish to use the pomeloes for prayers, we prefer a fruit that has the stalk and preferably also the leaves intact.


To eat the pomelo, we do not cut accross the fruit. First we need to peel off the skin by using a knife to slice vertically down the fruit at a few places. The cut should be about half an inch deep only. Next we use our hands to separate the thick outer rind from the pomelo. The thin inner skin which is white in colour is bitter and also need to be removed. Then we can proceed to eat the flesh just like a peeled orange.

Pomelo flesh is one of the ingredients used in the making of "Rainbow Yee Sang", an auspicous salad dish for Chinese New Year. Modern chefs are incorporating the pomelo in salads, soups and appetizers.

Some uses of the pomelo peel include:
1. Candied pomelo peel and marmalade
2. Sun dried peels are used in the making of herbal drinks as a treatment for cough.
3. The water from boiling the pomelo peel can be used in the prevention of dandruff, link here.
4.  Incorporated into hair and body shampoo.
5. The rind can be worn on the head as a hat in a child's game.

During the Mid Autumn Festival, some believe that eating pomeloes and wearing the leftover rind on the head signify a prayer for the youngsters in the family. "Chang-E, the Moon Goddess will see them and respond to their prayers when she looks down from the moon." The link is here.



Pomelos are high in Vitamin C, A, folic acid and potassium. For Tambun pomelos, there are 2 types; fruits with white flesh are sweet while those with pink flesh are a bit sour. It can be eaten raw and it taste better than the grapefruit.

Are you growing this plant?
Do you have a recipe or story to share about the pomelo?

Update: Contribution from my commenters:
1. Luna Miranda - The leaves are added to rice cakes to neutralize the sweetness
2. Lotus Leaf - It is an old Indian custom to plant a pomelo tree if a baby girl is born
3. Orchid de dangau - pomelo flesh can be eaten with rojak sauce

Contact of Tambun Pomelo Farm
Chin Pomelo Farm
(visited by Hong Kong celebrity chefs)
158258A, Jalan Ampang, Tambun, Ipoh, Perak Malaysia
Tel: 6013-5016491
Contact Person : Mrs Chin - she speaks only Mandarin and Cantonese
Link: Pomelo Farm Stay Program

Contact of Pomelo Fruit Vendors
Store no. 38 - Kedai Limau Tambun, Buah-Buahan & Minuman
Lot 160188, Jalan Ampang Baru 6
Ampang Baru New Village
31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: +6016-501 0145, +6016-599 2178
They also sell other seasonal tropical fruits like guava, banana, water apples, carambola, etc.

Gerai Limau Bali Heng Kee
Lot 160186, Jalan Ampang Baru 6
Ampang Baru New Village,
31400 Ipoh, Perak
(along the road to Tambun town and Chin Pomelo Farm)

This is my entry for Today's Flowers, the link is here.

Updated on 27 Sep 2012: My other related posts are as follows:

  1. Mid-Autumn Festival 2011 - The Hare / Jade Rabbit (line here)
  2. Mid-Autumn Festival 2010 - Water Caltrops, also The Old Man of the Moon (link here)
  3. Mid-Autumn Festival 2010 - Lotus Seeds and Mooncakes (link here)
  4. Mid-Autumn Festival 2009 - The Story of Moon Cakes and The Story of Chang 'E (link here)

Friday, September 17, 2010

Mid Autumn Festival - Lotus Seeds and Mooncakes


The Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is sacred to Buddhists, Taoists and Hindus. We see Buddha sitting on a lotus bloom. It is a sign of the attainment of nirvana or enlightenment. Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy is also often depicted as sitting on a lotus flower. In fengshui, it is an auspicious symbol of good fortune, perfection and advancement. A perfect beauty that is so pure.

"As a lotus flower is born in water, grows in water and rises out of water to stand above it unsoiled, so, I, born in the world, raised in the world having overcome the world, live unsoiled by the world."
..... Gautama Buddha (563-483 B.C.)


These lotus seed pods were my favourite raw snack when I was a kid. We can eat them fresh from the pods, but of course we have to peel off the skin first. You can find them in the smaller towns where there are lotus ponds. The pods are sold in bundles of 3 to 5 each. The seeds taste differently depending on their stage of maturity. The medium sized seeds are sweet, soft and juicy while the bigger/older seeds are bitter if we do not remove the germ in the centre of the seed.

Have you eaten raw lotus seeds before?

“Mid Autumn Festival - Lotus Seeds and Mooncakes”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on Sept 17th, 2010.


Young seeds of this size tastes best. Some seeds inside the pods are too thin and young, therefore they do not contain any flesh inside. We can use it to 'bang' on our foreheads so that it makes a pop sound when the seeds burst open upon impact. This was a game we kids liked to play on one another.

As for the long stalks, we can break them up at intervals and pull on it until the long strands of thread-like fibres are visible. Then we can turn it into a chain or necklace. These are some of the FOC, DIY games we used to play.


Dried lotus seeds in brown or white form are also available at the markets and medicine shops. We used dried lotus seeds to make herbal soups and dessert drinks (tong shui). It is one of the ingredients used in cooking the dish called "Eight Treasures Chicken".



Lotus seed paste is used to make the filling of mooncakes. Some bakers use dates, taro, beans or sweet potato paste but lotus seed paste is considered the original filling for mooncakes. This mooncake with the traditional baked brown skin can be kept for 1 month and need not be refrigerated. There are melon seeds and egg yolks inside. The number of egg yolks are usually 1 or 2 but some have more.



A snow skin (Ping Pei) mooncake with beautiful lotus flower motifs. Green coloured mooncakes usually have pandan flavour. This mooncake need to be refrigerated when not eaten immediately.


This is jelly mooncake. In Malaysia, we also have durian mooncakes and Haagen Dazs is promoting their ice-cream mooncakes from 19 Aug - 26 Sep 2010.

Today's newspapers carries a report about an enormous Rainbow Mooncake from Leong Yin Pastry in Penang. The features are:
  • 8 layers of filling which include lotus paste, blueberry, cranberry, emerald pandan, white lotus, US lemon, apple and white coffee.
  • 8 people are needed to carry the mooncake
  • When cut into bite sizes, 6,000 people can try it
  • It costs RM 18,000 (USD 5,800) to make and takes 12 hours to bake
  • Dimensions are height = 33cm and diameter = 96.52 cm
See the full story from The Star online here.

If you happen to be in Malaysia during this season, do join in the fun. Try some mooncakes!

Friday, September 10, 2010

A Panorama of Banana Stories


The banana plant is native to Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, you can find it anywhere. People plant it in their home gardens, along road dividers, road shoulders and they grow wild in the countryside and empty land in the city. When you visit Malaysia, look out for our banana plants. You can easily spot them. I remember a foreign friend once remarked that in her country, bananas are very expensive but she sees banana plants everywhere even along the roadsides and rubbish dumps here. So she asked me if we can just pluck riped bananas from the plants along the road and eat the fruits. My answer is yes, for the domesticated ones but wild bananas have too many seeds that render them almost inedible.

More pictures here - "Going Bananas Today"

Musa "Dwarf Cavendish" grown at the Ditch Garden
Genus: Musa
Common name: Banana
Family: Musaceae
Order: Zingiberale

Banana is a common name we use for the many species, cultivars and varieties of banana. We use the word "banana" for the fruit as well as the plant. We also use the word banana for many other meanings, of which I am too shy to write down in words.

To many of us locals, bananas and plantains are the same thing.

A banana blossom is called "jantung pisang" (banana heart) in Malay language.


Have you seen a banana blossom before?

This is the inflorescence of an ordinary banana plant that we grow for the fruits. It has maroon to dark red large bracts and little cream yellow flowers. The stamens are a darker yellow. The inflorescence hangs down like a pendant while those of the ornamental bananas are upright.

In Asia, the flowers can be cooked and eaten. For example, in Malay dishes, banana flowers are cooked in curry and coconut gravy. It was only a few days ago when I saw Anthony Bourdain of  "No Reservations", Travel Channel on Astro, our satelite TV sampling this dish with our local celebrity Chef Wan at a street stall in Kuala Lumpur.


Some of us grow up hearing folklores and scary stories passed on by family members and friends. One Malay story tells of a female vampire, the 'pontianak' that dwells in the banana plant during the day. The 'pontianak' is one of the most scary and violent ghost in our Malaysian folk tales. As a kid, I was scared of the 'pontianak' which is usually depicted as a female with very long hair and white dress. It can disguise itself as a beautiful lady. The one I saw on TV has only a head and she can fly, appear and disappear!

The second is a Chinese story about the banana spirit, a lady spirit whose beauty is out of this world and who targeted guys. To attract her, a guy can tie a red string on his big toe on one end and use the other end to thread a needle and pierce it into the 'heart' (centre) of a banana blossom. When nightfalls, this lady of extraordinary beauty will appear in his dreams. They can have a rendezvous filled with ecstacy and she will sap all his energy and may even claim his life.

With such stories, it is no surprise that many of us, especially the conservatives ones, do not have a banana plant in our home compounds.


On the positive side, Hindus regard the banana plant as an auspicious symbol of fertility, abundance and prosperity. Live banana plants are used to adorn both sides of the entrance doors during celebrations and ceremonies. For marriage ceremonies, whole banana plants complete with a big bunch of fruits and flowers are used to flank the entrance doorways.

Taoists, Buddhists and Hindus use banana fruits as a prayer offering and place them on the altar.

“A Panorama of Banana Stories”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on September 10th, 2010.


In Asia, almost every part of the banana plant has a useful purpose. The banana leaf is large enough to be used as an umbrella to shield against the sun and rain. Now, at least you know what to do if lost in our Malaysian jungle!

Fresh banana leaves are used in banana leaf rice Indian restaurants where food is served on banana leaves instead of plates. Customers can choose to eat with their bare hands or fork and spoon. Food served on banana leaves and eaten with bare hands are believed to taste better. A case of Finger Licking Good, perhaps. I remember my childhood moments whenever dad took us to Indian restaurants, he taught us how to use our bare hands when eating the delicious Indian curries with rice. He learnt this method from his Malay friends. Sometimes, mom and dad would buy the curry takeaways and we had a fun time doing this at home. 


Banana leaves are used as wraps in many Malaysian, Malay, Indian and Peranakan dishes. The banana leaves give the extra aroma that enhances the taste of the food. This dish is called 'otak-otak' (translated to brains) which is actually a hot and spicy fish paste grilled / barbecued to perfection. The banana leaf is on the bottom.

Banana leaves are also used as a packaging container, mold or wrap for many types of 'kuih' (a kind of sweet desserts).

The banana fruit can be eaten fresh, right after plucking from the tree, of course it must be ripe first. The fruits are used to make deep fried banana fritters (pisang goreng), banana cake, banana split ice-cream and shakes, banana chips....etc, etc.

Update:
Recipes - kuali.com which has 34 recipes using the banana, for further details, click HERE.


Any more ideas on the usage?

  • Lotus leaf - Payas, a liquid sweet is served in cups made from banana fibre.
  • Rosey Pollen - Banana Fondue, i.e. banana dipped in chocolate.
  • Eden - Banana blossoms cooked with coconut milk and spices.
  • M.Kate - Flowers are used to make kerabu (salad with sambal belacan)


This is my favourite during the Hari Raya season. It is called Lemang which is made of glutinuous rice and coconut milk cooked in bamboo sticks lined with banana leaves over a slow charcoal or wood fire. It is eaten with Rendang, a meat curry cooked with shredded coconut flesh, cocunut milk, ginger and spices.


This is a very popular Malaysian drink. It is called 'Air Sirap Selasih' or Rose Syrup with Basil Seeds. It is made of rose essence, pandan flavoured sugar syrup and dried basil seeds presoaked in water. Some drinks are served with cream soda. Recently, I suddenly have a craving for this drink. So I made my own. I poured some F&N Strawberry flavoured soft drink and added a teaspoon of basil seeds. With some ice cubes, it was heavenly.



Today is the first day of Hari Raya. I'd like to wish my muslim readers and friends:

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI 2010!

and if you are on holiday like me,
Happy Holidays!

if you are travelling outstation,
Have a Smooth and Save Journey !

This is my entry for Fertilizer Friday and the link is here.
I am joining Wendy of Greenish Thumb in her weekly Garden to Table Challenge - Week 4, click here.
For Today's Flowers, please visit the link here.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Ornamental Banana Musa ornata Pink

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2


3.


4.


5.

Scientific name: Musa ornata
Common name: Ornamental Flowering Banana - Pink
Family: Musaceae
Origin: India

Photographs taken at Putrajaya Floria 2010.

“Ornamental Banana Musa ornata Pink”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on Sept 8th, 2010.


To participate or view other Wordless Wednesday posts, please click here.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

My Miniature Sunflowers


I have a miniature sunflower I like very much that is only about an inch accross and about 10 inches tall. It is really very very small, especially when compared to Barbara's of Gardening in Mannheim, Germany's sunflowers in her post here. Hers is 12 ft tall with up to 20 blossoms per stalk!

Have you ever grown or seen a sunflower as tiny as this size ?


The seeds came from the highlands. Somebody gave them to me. I placed 10 seeds in a potting mix on 8th July 2010. I was overjoyed when all the seeds germinated the next day. They grew fast.



When the second set of leaves appeared, I applied a general purpose liquid fertilizer. The leaves look fat and juicy.

“My Miniature Sunflowers”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on September 5th, 2010.



I notice that my plants began to grow taller and taller but the stems were long and slender. There were very few leaves. Soon I saw flower buds but there was only 1 flower bud for each plant. The stems were so thin that they could hardly support their flower heads. So I tie them to a bamboo stick for support. I also moved them to full sun hoping that some solar energy will be good for them.


This is the best I could get from my sunflowers. Today, after almost two months of growing, they have reached the end of their life cycle. They are strerile and left behind no seeds. Their vital statistics:

Height: 8-10 inches
Diameter: 1.5 inches
No. of blooms per plant: 1
No. of leaves: 6 - 8

I miss my little ones and I will try to grow another batch. This time I'll grow them in a cooler place near the shade. Any suggestions?

Friday, September 3, 2010

Hibiscus tiliaceus, Sea Hibiscus


Hibiscus tilaceus is an evergreen shrub or small, spreading tree that can grow up to 25 ft (7.6 m) high with a spread nearly as wide.
The leaves are alternate and have long petioles. They are leathery, heart shaped with pointed tips. The leaves are about 4-8 inches (10.2-20.3 cm) long.
The flowers are large and showy.


Scientific name: Hibiscus tiliceus
Synonym: Talipariti tilaceum
Common name: Sea Hibiscus, Mahoe, Cotton Tree, Majagua
Family: Malvaceae
Native to: Sandy seacoasts of Indian and Pacific Ocean

Photographs taken by Autumn Belle at The Secret Garden of 1-Utama
Grateful thanks to Dr. Francis Ng of The Secret Garden of 1-Utama.



“Hibiscus tiliaceus”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on September 3rd, 2010.


Have you seen this hibiscus before?
Are you growing it?

This is my entry for Fertilizer Friday. To view other entries, please click here.

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