Gloxinia bloom from my balcony garden

Another bloom from my little garden. A pink Gloxinia / Sinningia hybrid flower. Sometimes the plant will put out flower buds but does not bloom because the weather is too hot. This plant propagates by seed, tubers or leaf cuttings. Seeds are tiny and black. If the plant dies out, do not throw it away. Let the pot dry out and then start watering it, tubers underground will start to sprout new shoots. You can also make a clean leaf cutting and stick it into moist soil. New shoots will also sprout this way. I find it easier to care for than African violets.

From seed to flowers

Gardening is satisfying when you can enjoy the beauty of the fruits of your labour. This is Sweet William in pink (Dianthus barbatus). The balcony does not get much sun these days, colour is a little pale, but still beautiful.

My green oasis, my little pond

of tiny fishes. These were bought from the market aquarium stall. Meant as food for large aquarium fish, 20 to 30 packed into a plastic bag sold at $2. Since I needed some colour in my pond, they were perfect. They are now fed dried shrimp everyday, a ritual for me after I water my plants.

Garden musings

My newly acquired orchid plant flowered. No flower buds when I got it but a few days ago I noticed one flower spike which flowered this morning. Another three spikes are coming out and will probably flower soon. I hope I can get a photo with all the flowers. Name of orchid is Trias picta. Endemic to Thailand and Myanmar. The flower is about 2cm across and is light green with maroon spots. On the second photo, the flower is by the last bulb on the left. It is suppose to be easy to care for and I guess it is . . . . . since it has not died on me yet. I spray water once a day and gave it a very dilute liquid fertiliser spray about 3 weeks ago.

Welcome 2007!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

An old friend sent me this new year greeting:

New acquaintances, old friends . . .

New resolutions, old habits . . .

New songs, old tunes . . .

New clothes, old underwear . . .

You can change for the better,

but you're still the same inside.

. . . .CR . . . .

This is a photo of my balcony garden on the 19th floor.