Showing posts with label plants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plants. Show all posts

Tuesday, 4 July 2017

BROMELIACEA VRIESEA: THE YELLOW FLOWER SPIKES



I certainly can't resist lovely brilliant colours and have to admit, my obsession has magnetises me to collect and raise a few colourful indoor flowering plants. 

Four months ago, we bought another genera of bromeliads which instantly became a member of my indoor plant collections. For the past months, the gradual growth in numbers of my accumulated, refreshing to the senses, flowers have been producing pups and yielding blossoms. Ineffably, a chink of them everyday has given me a flourishing festoon of radiant felicity. They have been fascinating me in a more personal way, too. Especially when I see them growing healthily and they surprise me with idyllic flowers as well as endow me with delicate pups/offsets. Generally speaking, they add a shining presents to our humble abode and habituate us with more delightful inspirations in life. 

I don't just purchase impulsively as I have to think about where to place the plant as well... 

I already have 2 different genera of bromeliads (Guzmania Lingulata and Tillandsia Cyanea) but was still very eager to have one more. That is why, I searched on the web for another type of bromeliad which can survive with less direct sunlight, less water consumption and less attention. When I say “less attention”, a flowering plant which will need less artificial nutrients but has the natural ability to derive its own nutrients. In my opinion, plants are not just manufactured decorative ornaments nor accessories to compliment one's basic outfit as they are like us, human beings, too. In particular, they are living beings which unwittingly teach us lessons of equal importance as they also grow, eat, move and reproduce. Universally speaking, it is what we called the ecological systems' balance of nature. 

Most of my indoor plants are placed on our sunroom window sill. The board sufficiently accommodates large pots while the glass windows offer the gloriousness of sunshine and opening/closing them permits the fresh air to flow. I thought I wouldn't be able to flourish a plant with flowers into becoming a healthy one. However, my persistence and belief as a green-fingered lady got them to burst forth with some producing cute little pups/offsets. It was quite mesmerising especially when flying insects find their way in and basked from one flower to another. I have never thought that pollinating insects will be enticed to visit my indoor plants but it's a strong sign that the airflow inside is not distressing. Remember the role of domestic canary songbird used by miners? 

The last addition to my collection of bromeliads is called Bromeliacea Vriesea. It is an indoor plant throughout the world and has been natively cultivated in Central and South America. The elongated, broad and delicate leaves serve as a central water tank and offer a moat for its flamboyant flower spikes. It grows vertically tall with branches of flat, broad and long-lasting flower spikes in the shades of brilliant red, calming yellow and flashing orange. I am sure that you will also appreciate the beauty of its flower spikes when you intend to raise it in your own humble abode. Actually, this genera of bromeliad is easy to find and care for which will suit truly every plant lovers. 


The sunlight needs of Bromeliacea Vriesea has high tolerance for various light levels. It thrives in shaded areas and spaces with various bright indirect sunlight. As a matter of fact, placing and exposing it to a more direct sunlight will turn their foliage brighter in colour but will also scorch their leaves (it helps to moisten from time to time). On the other hand, its water needs is less but its tank must remain wet to avoid wilting. It is also necessary to flush its tank with fresh water every week to prevent insects biological development and metamorphosis. Typically speaking, misting the entire plant using a spray bottle will forestall the crown susceptibility to rotting. 

Raise one soon and who knows, in just a few months, you will see sprouting pups which are exact replicas of the mother plant.

Monday, 11 January 2016

THE GAFFER'S GARDEN IN THE SUMMER

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

 
A gentle voice with an almost feminine intensity greets and welcomes me at their doorstep with the delightful phrase, 'You look so fantastic, Darling!'. The person behind the voice is a man whom I called, The Gaffer.

In 2008 on my first visit to England, the first person I met in the flesh who really made me very comfortable is a good friend named, The Gaffer. A big man with bulky muscles like Arnold Schwarzenegger that he has developed over the years by spending time at his exclusive gym. Though he has huge biceps, he has a soft spot too! That is shown when it comes to raising plants and yielding healthy new growth from his garden.

I have been visiting his home for years and every time I was there, I was fascinated by his collections of healthy plants. Honestly, when I plan to go there I always look forward to seeing his varieties of plants. They are more than enough to warm me and gratify the nature side in me too.

The front garden is what I prefer more as it has bundles of scarlet red geraniums which appear like a red carpet. Enough to compare it to the red carpet at the Academy Awards, trodden on by famous celebrities in the showbiz world. On the other hand, the rear garden has more to offer because this is where you can see more of his creations.

One of the structures that he erected is a Victorian glass house. This provides a home for his wide range of cacti and delicate plants that usually won't survive the cold weather in England. The glass house itself could be used as a spare room as it has roof ventilator, shelving brackets, single sliding door including door catch and many more accessories.

I can still remember in the summer, his rear garden was ornamented with freshly blooming flowers. All were growing robustly with vivid colours which were very engrossing to my eyes. When I visited him one day in the summer, I was wearing a colourful maxi dress and surprisingly, one of his small flowers matched the design of my garment. And because of that he took a picture of me while standing above those flowers. In the end, they resembled an extension of my floral maxi dress in the picture.

I appreciate the beautiful transformation of their gardens and admire the effort he has made to make their gardens so very enticing.

Thursday, 7 January 2016

MY HANDSOME INDOOR CYPRESSES

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

 
Raising varieties of plants is one of my diversions which brings more colours into my life. It diverts my attention and also helps me to stay away from my laptop, which is very helpful. Once you are on the web and have opened useful interfaces, it will eat you and is very addictive! Would you agree?

In the summer, I planted some colourful flowers in the troughs but their liveliness and adorableness only lasted up to the late autumn. They just couldn't cope with the cold weather during winter season. I didn’t want to be left with empty containers, so I raised five kinds of cypresses in pots which grow vigorously and healthy.

The first cypress I brought was once displayed on the kitchen table but is now place at the back of the house. I didn’t want it to be transferred outside as it has been providing me with a touch of nature's green ambiance. However, because of its vigorous growth, which is now 2 feet tall, I had no choice but to move it to a much more spacious and airy place. The ideal situation is the patio at the back of in which it now joined the other plants already there.

My other two species of cypresses are place in colourful pots and displayed in the kitchen. Both are a good height for indoor plants but soon they will grow like the two outside. I am hoping that they will remain pygmies so that they will stay forever on my window sills. Reality speaking, nature being what it is they will grow up and find themselves in the outside world.

My cypresses which resemble Christmas trees will always remind me of my childhood years. I always wished I would have the chance of rearing even one of them but now, I have five handsome indoor cypresses in my possession. 
 *Photo courtesy of snugharborfarm.com

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

SP's HEAVENLY GARDEN

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

His hands can grow varieties of flowers and plants. His determination as a nature lover has been proven and can be seen through his masterpieces. His garden is one, a creation to which he combined determination and passion. I can say that Sokphal (SP) Din is a man with efficiency and optimism.

Every visit made to SP's mansion was worth the 1 hour driving. Aside from the fact that he is an incredibly charming and attentive person. His good character pleased me and his ability/ gift to grow colourful flowers and strong plants amazed me. The ambiance I felt in his heavenly garden was like experiencing wilderness again. What I mean is, a personalised garden where I saw wild bees and small birds basking around. Every time I visited his garden I was always in deep thoughts, on how he preserved the colourful condition and also, on how he maintained the healthy growth in his garden.

I  have observed that SP didn’t just sow the seeds and leave it to grow afterwards. His wonderful creation caught my eyes and also, he had given me inspiration to make my own. The care and affection he gave to the needs of his flowers and plants are truly exceptional!


*PHOTOS Courtesy of SP
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