Half a pound of treacle

Saturday, January 1, 2011

High Rise Gardening

As of this date, I am officially a high rise dweller. Thirteen floors up to be precise. The view is good and the breeze a welcomed change. The only thing that really needs adjustment would be gardening in a high rise building. Space is limited and I believe the humidity fluctuates rapidly through the day. Well, its a challenge and what better way to do it than to grab the bull by its horns, and try out what works and what does not. So wish me luck with high rise balcony gardening.

Friday, July 23, 2010

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!!!

Coelogyne kaliana growing on misty montane trees in Gunung Ulu Kali

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

Sunday, July 11, 2010

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.