Coelogyne kaliana - The Kali Mountain (Gunung Ulu Kali) Coelogyne

Coelogyne kaliana is a beautiful orchid that was formally described by P.J. Cribb as a new Coelogyne orchid species in 1982 (P.J. Cribb 1982). He mentioned that this orchid is the most conspicuous orchid to be found in Genting Highlands. As a medium sized epiphytic herb, and found in numerous numbers around Gunung Ulu Kali (hence the name kaliana), it has white flowers that open simultaneously. The flowers however, are unpleasently scented and was described by the author as smelling like Castanea sativa flowers (Sweet chestnut). For those who have no idea what sweet chestnut bloom smells like, it is one of those plants that smell like...cum!!!

Montane trees with Coelogyne kaliana blooms

On one trip to Genting Highlands, I managed to get up close and personal with Coelogyne kaliana blooms., thanks to a friend. True enough, it smells like semen. So P.J. Cribb was being polite by saying that the orchid smelled like sweet chestnut flowers when he could have said it smelled like cum. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful orchid, and looked like ivory pendants hanging from the montane forest trees. Or perhaps I should say white cum-smelling flowers dangling in the air, hmmm? I have also seen C. kaliana growing on roadside juniper trees planted by Genting Resort.

Coelogyne kaliana

Clearer view of C. kaliana blooms on trees

Floria 2010 Putrajaya

Well, its that time of the year again...Yes Floria 2010 at Putrajaya. Running from July 10 - 18 2010, the theme for this year's exhibition is easy enough, being Heliconia. Not one of my favourite flowers, but showy enough and easy to grow and maintain. The exhibits this year includes various outdoor landscapes, garden displays as well as an indoor section with twilight garden (dark and a high chance of tripping over or being groped!) and floral arrangements. Not to be missed are the orchids on display, various stalls selling trees, plants, orchids, pitcher plants and garden necessities that would bowl you over if you like gardening. There are also food and handicraft stalls to complete the carnival atmosphere.

Bright flower beds greet visitors of Floria 2010 at Putrajaya



Orchids on display



Musella lasiocarpa - Golden banana flower



Ginger flowers - Zingiber spectabile


Vanda orchids on display



Cymbidium dayanum



Blue Vanda hybrid




Common Lantana on sale



Flower beds



Chrysanthemum beds



Floral arrangements



A floral bird...nice



More flower beds


Cosmos


Impatiens


Heliconia floral arrangements



Upright planters



Hydrangea macrophylla


Tobacco plant - Nicotiana tabacum



View of Putrajaya Lake with chrysanthemum beds in the foreground

Water water...where art thou

There has been no water supply in my area for like 2 days. The reason being a burst mains somewhere in the supply line. Guess what Syabas is doing? They are looking for the bloody pipe! A call to the help centre drew an absurd (at least to me) reply. Apparently they cannot find where the newly laid pipe is, so they cannot fix the burst pipe!!! Hey, if it is new, then how come the pipe burst?? Hmmm, shoddy work and shoddy planning if you go by me.