How to Get Rid Caterpillar Naturally

 

A big and fatty caterpillar on my Kaffir lime plant - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

I hate caterpillar! Because of them, my kaffir lime has almost no leaves! However, I do not like to use chemical pesticides to exterminate them. So, what should I do then? 

I have had this Kaffir lime plant for about 5 years. I do remember when I bought this plant at the flower shop nearby in the market, I was hopeful that I'll harvest green and beautiful lime someday. Therefore, I have always maintained it carefully and give it much more of my attention because it is tricky to grow lime in a pot. Moreover, growing fruit tree in the apartment is quite challenging. Unlike other plants in my "garden" that some of them don't need my full care, for instance, Betel leaves. Betel leaf is a stubborn plant. Without water for several days, they still survive. Why I need to get my eye on my lime? Simply because I want to see my kaffir lime has fruit so that I can pick it and enjoy the day. 

One of my neighbors in the old place told me that I needed to cut the stem in order to force the growth of a new stem and leaves. This method, it would stimulate the kaffir lime to flower and then bear fruit and keep controlling the high since I have planted it in a small pot. It was successful in 2019 and I was delighted with the result. Finally, it bloomed and I could see some tiny kaffir lime on it. However, we had been busy and went overseas many times that year. And because of this, my Kaffir lime failed to produce fruit that I had been waiting about 3 years!😢 Nowadays, I am trying to make it bloom again. But, the big issue is because a lot of young laves, it attracts butterfly to lay their egg on it. The next thing that happens that I see many caterpillars on my beautiful lime plant! 

I tried to fix my lime plant by cutting all the stems and leaves that had been attacked by this little pest. What I can say that my way to get rid of them was futile because butterflies love this spot and relentlessly build a family on my lime. Using a chemical product to fully kick them out is also not my wise choice since sometimes I use kaffir lime leaves as one of my ingredients in the kitchen. Moreover, the fruit itself, when the fruit blooms, I also want to use it further. I need to find a way to get rid of caterpillars from my lime plant, but how? The answer is naturally!

Last year I did not do any gardening activity because I avoided outside activity even though just in my corridor due to the coronavirus situation. We were in a bad situation when daily cases more than 1,000 new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19 infection. So, I just watered my plants and flowers without any care. I realized my lime had caterpillars on it because I often saw a butterfly laid down her eggs on my young lime leaves. I also saw many caterpillars poops on the floor in my "garden" spot. But, something strange happened that time, the caterpillars were gone! Where were they? I didn't have any close answer to relieve my curiosity.  I had no idea.🤷‍♀️🤔

I read that when Sunbirds raise their brood, they must find a caterpillar in order to give enough nutrition for the young. I have seen a couple Sunbirds visit my Hibiscus flower. I also saw them perching on kaffir lime plant. Based on my observation of the habit of Sunbird, my conclusion is they took the caterpillars. However, not long ago I discovered that something else, something that I have never imagined before, what was that? My husband and I saw another bird perched on my lime. The color was brown and had a distinctive crest on the head. We did not know what's the bird name. But somehow I felt familiar with the sound of this particular bird. I often heard this bird sound but had never seen their appearance. Just recently I saw it walking and jump from one pot to another then perched on my lime plant. It was the first time my eye caught it. After googling for some time, finally, we knew about this bird, the name is Yellow-vented Bulbul.

Yellow-vented Bulbul is one of the birds in Singapore that we can found around the environment, including in the residential area where the vegetation surrounding. I am lucky that we found this area to live in because surrounded by a green view. Furthermore, the national park is just in our area which means a few steps from our block. No wonder it is easy for us to spot various birds around, or they just visit my "garden" like Yellow-vented Bulbul. The simple answer why this bird often visits me is because I have food for them, caterpillars on my lime.🙂

Caterpillar is my enemy, but it has a natural predator. The natural predator for caterpillars is birds. So, do I need to wait until the bird comes and eats them? I think first of all we need to attract birds by growing flowers or plants; nectarine flowers and plants that produce seeds or some kind of berries. But it doesn't mean we can't grow another flower or plant. What I have believed is bird loves a greeny and vibrant place that a look-like their habitat; where they can find food or just hang around. Therefore, planting another plant is also needed in order to create a beautiful scene. It should our responsibility as humans to save this little creature to live in harmony with us, isn't it? That's what I had seen when I lived in my father's house a long time ago. It was the best moment in my life where I experienced something unusual, for example seeing three small owls in my father's garden. My father took me to the garden and brought a torch because we did not have electricity in the village. I was in grade 3 or 4 and I was thrilled! What I have learned from my father is the fact that nature is beautiful and it's our duty to keep them in balance by doing a small thing, for instance, do gardening even though in a small place. I do not have yards or a garden because I live in an apartment yet I grow flowers and plants. As a result, it attracts not only Sunbird but also Bulbul to come and visit my little "garden" to feed. In return, they exterminate my enemy: caterpillar. I am relieved, the bird satisfied. Everyone has the best day! Cheers!✌🤩

To make my lime blossoms is quite hard. However, I still can use the leaves as my cooking ingredient whenever I need them. Even though its leaves gone, hopefully, it will grow soon because I added chicken fertilizer to help my lime growth. Yes, I do like natural fertilizer like this one because I want to minimalize the use of chemical fertilizer since kaffir lime is one of my food ingredients.  

This is the way I get rid of the caterpillar on my lime plant by dragging down its predator. Planting diverse plants in my "garden" would create a look-like home for small birds. Of course, it needs distinctive plant and I have to learn what kind of flower that provide their foods to get particular birds attention. Though it is not easy and requires some effort, I still do like this job. Who's giving me the job? No one!😅😄 If I do not take a step they might be gone or extinct someday, both the plants and the bird. For this reason, I volunteer to preserve what I believe.😊🤗 

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Do not copy this article without permission
• Do not reuse this photograph anywhere else without permission

Red Hibiscus: The forgotten Flower

 

Red Hibiscus in my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Welcome to Ichi's Garden! Look at the picture above, it is a beautiful and magnificent flower, isn't it? The red color makes this flower could easy caught in our eyes. The good thing is we can use it as a small Biology project if you want to learn parts of a flower and its functions. That's what I did when I was in the third year of secondary school. However, how Hibiscus become a forgotten flower and everyone ignore it? 

I mention in my article before that Hibiscus was a common flower in the village where I lived and grew up. We could easy to find red Hibiscus on the side of the village streets, gardens, or villagers' yards. Everyone knew it and seemed nothing special about it because lots of households had this bright beauty flower that attracted butterflies. Not only butterflies, but villager's children also used to pick this red flower when they played. I could say, maybe the people in my hometown didn't realize that this flower is really beautiful and become one of the flowers that sold in the flower shop and an expensive price in another country for instance, in Singapore. The price for 1 pot of Hibiscus flower is around $8 - $ 10.

My red velvet flower aka red Hibiscus in my "garden" in rainy day - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Year by year, one by one flower and plants that common in my hometown goes to in the edge of cliff including Hibiscus along with another flower, for example, Jasmine, Periwinkle, Crepe Gardenia, Gardenia flower, Aglaonema, Caladium. I remember one of my Indonesian friends told me that the Jasmine flower that growing in my "garden" was priceless and rare. I just wondered how does it happen because as far as I know, the Jasmine flower was a familiar flower in villager yards. Even my father grew 2 kinds of varieties in his garden, single petals, and double petals.

It started in 2000an when many of the new generations didn't care anymore about their flowers or plants that had been growing in their yards and garden. Meanwhile, their parent grew old year by year and fallen sick. Many of them cleaned up the garden and their yards just because they didn't want to take care of the plants. I asked one of them, "Why you chop all those fruit trees and all the beautiful flower plants that had been there for so many years?" Here is how she answered my question, " I do not want to rake the leaves that are an annoying thing." I was speechless!🙄 Why I speechless? Because when I lived in my father's house, I did rake all the leaves in my father's big yards every day. Moreover, on Sunday I helped my father to take care of flowers and plants. I would pull the weed as well. 

Red Hibiscus in my little "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Nowadays, I have seen many people in my hometown admire expensive plants that they think it is more have prestigious or could show their status in the community. One of those people is my classmates. They say it is their new hobby to collect plants that they call expensive. When I look at the plants that they claim priceless, I do not have any surprise. Why? Because it is some plants that actually exist in the past where many households in the village had planted in their yards or garden. The question is why these plants costly? I am sure you know the answer. First, they did not care about flowers and plants; second, as a result, many common plants and flowers in the village become rare every year; third, nowadays, they completely forgot their root and just following the wave where some people sells flower and plant that they claim as unique or inimitable plants. What I can say, some people took advantage of a business to promote flowers and plants that actually it was there in the same place many years ago before finally becoming a rare plant. 

What happens when people take gardening as a hobby? After those plants or flowers do not have any prestige or the price in the market falls down which means the price becomes cheap or no value on it,  they abandon those plants or flowers. I have seen these events repeat again, again. Moreover, they get bored because, in deep their heart, they buy that expensive plants or flowers for status in the community. Furthermore, taking care of the plants or flowers is just part of making the plants look good when their friends come to see them. 

My pretty red Hibiscus in the morning - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

In my view, people who love nature, basically, love flowers and plants without thinking about the status or prestige in it. They grow those plants because they want to. Me, for example, I grow flowers because I want to grow them and see the flower when it blooms. Moreover, it is a good thing if I can planting flowers that can feed butterflies and birds. That's it, Yes, just simple like that.😊

Back to the topic, why Hibiscus flower become a forgotten flower in the place where I lived. The answer is the same as many flowers or plants that I talk about. Hibiscus flower does not have any value in it which means there is no prestige or guarantee that will make someone getting high status in the community. If this happens continuously, someday Hibiscus will extinct for sure. Furthermore, when it happens, the environment has also gone where no more butterflies and nectar-eating birds around. 

When I was thinking about why it does happen, I just can see it because most of the children in my village did not get to school which means they grow and become uneducated adults. Many of them drop off from elementary school or secondary school. Some of them because they think school is not important and rely on their parent's money. Some of them simply did not have money to continue their study or lived in poverty. When children do not go to school and study, they do not know how fun to study floral in class and knowing it as knowledge. Like I said in the first paragraph, I picked Hibiscus flower to study the Biology in-class experiment. I was just excited to study parts of flowers. That's how I grow my respect for nature.

Start the day with my red bright Hibiscus - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Growing Hibiscus as a part of my "garden" plants is not only to remind of good memories about my hometown but also to create harmony with living around for example Sunbird that has always stopped by to feed themself. Another reason is to enjoy the beauty of this red velvet flower. Furthermore, I give my respect to nature that I have believed if we care the Mother nature, it will bring luck for us. Like my neighbor said, "if we grow flower or plant then bird come that means a good thing will come to us."

I think every flower has its own story. For me, like another flower, res Hibiscus also has its story that I could share with all of you. The bottom line about this story is that we have to respect the environment around us. Doing a small thing such as planting just some flowers or plants, that will make better harmony between us and small creature for instance butterflies and birds. Moreover, it is not that bad to planting some kind of flower that call "cheaper" and "kampoeng" ("kampoeng" means village) because every flower has its own beauty.

Read my another article on Ichi's Fusion Recipe, link here https://ichi-recipes.blogspot.com/2021/03/veggie-fried-hokkien-mee-with.html

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Do not copy this article without permission
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permission

 

Habrantus Robustus; the toughest plant both in hot and rain seasons

 

Habranthus Robustus or pink Rain Lily in my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

By looking at the picture above, it is a cute flower, isn't it? 😍 That my pink Rain Lily in my little "garden" that has been there for about a year! I am proud of this plant because it is one of the tough plants that could adapt perfectly in both hot and heavy rain seasons. 

In January 2020, we went to the Garden by The Bay to see flowers and plants. Garden By The Bay is my favorite place to go at least once a year whether during the Christmas holiday, or in the middle of the year where a particular flower shows off such as Sakura, Tulip, Dahlia, et cetera. I wish my father still around; I bet he would very happy visiting this awesome garden where we can find any kind of flower from around the world especially the flower where his grandfather came from, and it is Tulip Flower!

I bought one small bulb of Habranthus Robustus when we visited Garden By The Bay in January last year. It was just before Covid-19 confirmed for the first time in Singapore. The price is about $ 5, and I think is not bad when I can see the result now after planting them. I am satisfied and happy because it grows well and produces flowers very often.

Pink Rain Lily bud - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

The high of this plant approximately 30-40 cm with tin linear foliage and yellow anthers. Like I mentioned the flower color is pink with soft five petals. So, sometimes I say it is starflower because it identical to a star shape. After observing for sometimes I knew that the flower has always faced the sun that indicated this flower-like direct sunlight. So, the best spot to place this plant is to put it where the sun could reach them directly.

The interesting question is that true this plant will emerge by following rain? That's the question from one of my Japanese friends who also love flowers and do volunteer at one of the Botanic Gardens. March is the month when we can feel hot weather in Singapore. However, my pretty pink flower flowered at the time. It was for the first time my Rain lily had flowers in March 2020 after planting it in January 2020. And I realized it needed more space to grow then I decided to move it to another flowerpot that has enough space for this cute flower and using potting soil that rich in compost. After a few months, this plant develops more new bulbs that means will produce flowers for each one of them. I can't remember how many times my Rain Lily blooms until today, but it often shows off their pretty pink flower maybe once a month or flower once in two months. So, I can not answer my friend's question. I think when the flower emerges it depends on the environment where we plant it. For example, in Singapore, I can not say it will have a flower when the rain season comes, basically, the rain season starts in November, December & January we experience heavy rain, and in February the rain comes less and less. However, It just my assumption based on my experiences growing Habranthus Robustus from a bulb in little space in Singapore. So it is the reason why I call this flowering plant is one of the toughest plants both in hot and rainy seasons because they can adapt to these environments quickly. And I do believe, people out there have different experiences.😊

During the rain season, I do not need to give water to my Rain lily. Meanwhile, in the hot season, twice a week is enough for watering this plant. Is that Ok only twice a week? Yes! But it depends on what kind of potting soil we use. Me, for example, I have always given the best potting soil for my plants or flowers that I grow in a pot for instance potting soil rich in compost. This soil is not easy being dry during the hot day, it can keep moist surround and save some water. Moreover, I do not think that my pink Rain Lily needs water every day; I bet the bulb will rotten if overwatering.🙄

That's my experience for the past year have growing Habrabthus Robustus. What about you, are you growing flowers and plants? Happy gardening! Save the world by doing small things like gardening!😉

Read my recipe on how to make fried Hokkien noodle more intriguing, link here https://ichi-recipes.blogspot.com/2021/03/veggie-fried-hokkien-mee-with.html

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Do not copy this article without permission
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permission

The Beauty of Dwarf Hibiscus Flower

 

Dwarf Hibiscus Flower in my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Who's loves this tropical flower? Talking about Hibiscus, it is identic with the tropical island as well. I agree this flower has a different magnet that could bring us to a shiny place where we could enjoy a day by relaxing on the beach! And in this article, I am going to talk about the beauty of dwarf Hibiscus!

Generally, the Hibiscus flower has big open petals that big as our palm. I used to see red color in my hometown but sometimes I could find a white one. Basically, it was single petals, however, there are double petals in different varieties. Two things that I could picture about Hibiscus are ease to grow and low maintenance. It should have become popular for those reasons, but it was not. People in my village did not take this flower as their favorite one in the garden. Why? Because Hibiscus was just a common flower in the villager's eyes.

Moving to Singapore many years ago make me want to create a "garden" by collecting some flowers that I used to see in my father's garden or yards such as Jasmine flower, Portulaca, et cetera. By growing those flowers, I can memories the old time when my father was around. Furthermore, Jasmine flower was my grandma's favorite when she told on how I should give respect to my ancestor by picking some stem of Jasmine that had some buds and put it into a glass with water. However, even though my father grew so many flowers and plants but he did not plant Hibiscus.

Dwarf Hibiscus in my "garden"; the flower is not big as you think - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

I loved Biology. Every time when we were studying Biology subject in the class I had always been excited, especially when talking about floral. I remember when I was in my third year in Secondary school, our Biology teacher told us to collect some flowers and did some small research in the class. One of those flowers was Hibiscus. We studied every part of this flower, for instance, pollen, flower pistil, petals, et cetera. It was a fun day!   

I chose Hibiscus as a part of my "garden" plant because it is common in my hometown. By planting them I can feel the scent of my hometown. The funny thing is when my Indonesian friend has always said, "why I grow flower that has no value or cheaper flowers?" In their eyes, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Portulaca, Periwinkle, are just "kampoeng" flowers. "Kampoeng" means village, it means that those flowers do not have status or prestige. When planting flowers and plants, I do not concern about the status, I do gardening because I love nature and the beauty of its flowers. That's what I feel growing Hibiscus.

Maybe 2 years ago I have tried to grow Hibiscus by buying Orange and yellow ones. Unfortunately, I throw the yellow one because it had a bad condition last year. Moreover, we are in crisis because of the Coronavirus virus. I did not do gardening last year because our "garden" is in the corridor. I avoided contact with my neighbor to protect our community. Last year was the toughest year in Singapore, we were 2-month semi-lockdown. However, nowadays, we are in good shape which means Singapore has succeeded in stopping the spread of the Coronavirus and become one of the safer countries during a pandemic. 

My Dwarf Hibiscus - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

The one left is Orange Hibiscus in my "garden." It was several times the flower blooms and attracts Sunbird to stopping by before I trimmed it. It looks like it won't have flowered for a while because a new stem hasn't come yet. But I bought another Hibiscus, there are red and tiny yellow Hibiscus. The red one is normal size Hibiscus, meanwhile, the yellow one is tiny Hibiscus that I call Dwarf because the flower is cute and pretty!

I haven't seen before about tiny Hibiscus. So, this is the first time I am trying to grow this variety. It seems different from the normal size that has always been love sunshine. I am still observing this cutie and learn about it. My feeling is that this Hibiscus doesn't like direct hot sunlight, I am not sure. It still needs time for me to understand this flower habit. Unlike the normal size Hibiscus, the more gain bright sunlight they will actively produce flowers because generally, Hibiscus flower withstands hot weather. Therefore, they need water every day.

Dwarf Hibiscus buds - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Dwarf Hibiscus has its own magnet that not only could attract Sunbird but also my eyes. I have always been feeling happy when I see flowers in my "garden."  By looking at this bright flower, I find peace for a while or just take me break and get their pictures.  That's why I have always said that gardening is not a hobby. For me, it is one of my way to make me smile! 

I think the Hibiscus flower is one of the best choices to create a "garden" in a hot weather place. I know, the best place to grow it is in the ground, however is not that bad for planting them in a pot. Giving them organic fertilizer, trimming them by cutting some stems, and watering them every day, I think is enough to maintain this Hibiscus. 

Thank you for reading my article. The next article could be Rain Lily! Take care and bye for now!🖐😉

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Do not copy this article without permission
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permission

Dianthus Flower: Easy to Grow and Low Maintenance

 

Dianthus flower in my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Hi, welcome back to Ichi's Garden! It looks that I have time to write this article. To be honest, I wish I could write my gardening activities more often. However, I am only a person who has multitasking work at home and does not have leisure time. Anyway, Dianthus in the picture above is cute, isn't it? Tiny beauty flower that I call to picture it. 😍

I do not remember when I bought this plant in the flower and plant shop nearby our block. Yes, my favorite shop that has always interested me is the flower and plant shop. So, if your favorite shop is a cakes shop or boutique, personally, I am keen on a floral shop instead. 😊 

Before coronavirus year, I have had this Dianthus flower in my garden. So, technically, maybe it has been in my "garden" for about 2 years. One thing that I remember about it because my neighbor gave me some flower pots. She bought 5 flower pots only for me! For some or many people who live in Singapore, most of them complain because of unfriendly neighbors or they do not want to know us. Unfortunately, it does not happen to me since the first year after we moved. My experiences live are amazing and incredible! Back to the topic, after receiving these flower pots, a few days later I bought a Dianthus flower plant and Oxalis plant and removed them to the new pot.

Dianthus flower in my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Unlike this day, the first time my Dianthus flower only occupied 1/3 of its pot. Nowadays, they grow and cover the surface which means we can not see the soil anymore. I bet if I planted them in the ground they would grow like crazy and become flower beds, I wish to live in a house that has yards today.🙄 One of my goals, someday having a large garden and yards! Yeah, I want to have horses and learn archery, what a crazy dream.😁 Well, talking about the crazy dream I remember that I used to get this title "crazy girl" from my relatives and people from my village because I have always had a big dream in my life, without it I would stay in the same place and have never stepped up to the higher mountain.

Growing this cutie is easy and low maintenance as well. I use flower pot soil that also has compost in it. I haven't changed the soil until today. I am not giving it fertilizer regularly either. So, I could say it a piece of cake to grow this pinky flower. Moreover, I do not water it every day, twice a week or three times a week is enough. Too much water will make this plant upset. But, I think how many times we give water depends on where we live and the weather.

Dianthus flower in my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

I put my Dianthus flower in the open place where the sunlight reaches it. The intriguing thing is since the first time join in my "garden", it has been flowering the whole year! Can you believe it? You can see the brown seed pods in the picture, which indicates that we have some flowers. I can see the beauty of this tiny flower every day and feel happy.

I am lucky by choosing this plant as a part of my "garden." It is suitable for the environment where I live. Creating a "garden" in an apartment is not easy yet it would become a good activity and a new challenge, right? 

I wish I can find this kind of this Dianthus plant easily in the flower and plant shop. Sadly, Until today, the shop where I bought this pink Dianthus plant does not have it. I want to buy a red one if they are available.

Do you want to create a mini botanic garden in the apartment? Then this Dianthus flower is a wise choice because easy to grow and low maintenance! If you stay in an apartment, now it is time to make your balcony life and an intriguing appearance. We can use a small space to grow some plants, flowers, and herbs as well. Happy gardening!

Thank you for reading my article, next article could be small hibiscus! see you and bye for now! 🖐🙂

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Do not copy this article without permission
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permission

 

Creating a "garden" to feed Sunbirds

 

Olive-backed Sunbird and Cypress plant - photographed by RDZ

Welcome back to Ichi's Garden! It's been a while since the last article that I published. Today I am going to share a new thing in this blog; creating a "garden" to feed Sunbirds. It sounds good and promising to help this bird in city life, isn't it? 

"Garden", why I should call my "garden"? It might be a little bit weird for some of you because of unfamiliar activities who live in an apartment. Generally, people who live in an apartment have never had an interest in gardening for some reason. First, maybe they are not keen on gardening, secondly, people do not have time to do the planting, third, it could be space is the real issue. I think many motives behind why someone does not do gardening. However, for me who is interested in flowers and plants, I intend to do gardening wherever I live. It doesn't matter where I stay, I would grow my flowers and plants even if in a tiny space! That is why I call my garden is "garden" because I do gardening in such a little space which is my corridor in the HDB apartment.

Dwarf yellow Hibiscus flower from my garden that attracts Sunbird - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

To be honest, I had grown my cypress vine or also known as the little trumpet flower, a few years ago. Back then I was trying to plant it because I liked a tiny red little flower that this plant has. So, I bought the Cypress vine flower seeds at a hypermarket nearby while shopping for my groceries. What happened next was I realized that this kind of flower easy to grow and low maintenance. Moreover, It grew fast and attracted a tiny little bird that has a beautiful song. Not only me, my cat, Ichi, she liked to sit tight at her TV window and started sing to while saw these birds stopped by. What a beautiful and peaceful harmony. 

Unfortunately, we had to move and said goodbye to my tiny red flowers. And someday without any warning, I saw a tiny sprout of Cypress vine flower in my Betel leaves. It was last year actually. After dormant for about 2 or 3 years, this tiny seed of Cypress awakens from the ground! What an intriguing event and made me have a big question, "does Cypress vine seed can grow after a few years?" It looks like the seeds from old plants do not want to leave behind and wants to go with me and left some seeds on the pot where betel leaf has been grown.

It has been a few months since this little red flower grows. I moved it to another pot with sticks. Now, they are blooming with the red tiny flower that I could account for. You can see there are lots of pods seed there and ready to make the pot crowded. Every day my Cypress vine grows and produces buds daily. Even though I do not give it fertilizer and haven't given it proper pot soil but this flowering plant looks to adapt to the environment surrounding quickly. This indicates that the Cypress vine flower is low maintenance and easy to grow.

The intriguing event is the fact that Cypress vine attracts Sunbird. This bird often passes by in my "garden" to take the nectar inside. Not only Cypress but Hibiscus flower also makes Sunbirds daily visiting my tiny "garden" with their beautiful sounds. We have red color and yellow Hisbiscus flowers. Another plant that captivates this bird is a green leafy plant with a small pink flower. The pink flower shape is like a bird. When the weather is perfect, the flower will bloom and engage Sunbird. I am still figuring out the name of this plant. 

Olive-backed Sunbird perched on my Jasmine flower - Photographed by RDZ

The Sunbird that visiting my "garden" is Olive-Backed Sunbird. Sunbird has some interesting color and I think has a cute look. I wish I am a researcher who studies this bird. However, it is not easy to take their pictures, once they notice someone watching them, instantly these birds will fly away. 2 days ago was our lucky day, a couple Olive-backed Sunbird perched on Cypress vine stick and stayed for a while on my Jasmine flower and played a little bit on my kaffir lime soil. It looked like they had a little fun and took a rest for the day. So, we had a chance to take pictures. I wish we did a video, unluckily forgot about it.

I think creating a little "garden" in the apartment could provide food for this tiny creature. First thing, I love flowers and plants so I want to grow some or many flowers in my corridor. But who's knows, when I do gardening will create tiny wildlife or give hope to the Sunbird to live in the city. Sometimes butterfly flies around too. So, for me, gardening is not a hobby like most people say that this activity is a part of hobbies. Personally, by planting flowers or plants at least it could give benefits not only me but also tiny creature such as birds or butterfly to live, and other people. You do not know, last time when I grew sunflower, my neighbor granddaughter was very happy to see it. Seeing other people I feel that I am happy too to give them an opportunity to see how beautiful flowers are.

Thank you for reading my article. I hope I could publish another article on Ichi's Garden blog. But I can't promise about it because I have another work to do. Anyway, I am glad that I could write this article to all of you. Bye for now 🖐🙂

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Photographed by RDZ and Acik Mardhiyanti
• Do not copy this article without permission
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A Beautiful Rain Lily From My "Garden"

Habranthus Robusta (Rain Lily) from my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Gardening in an apartment? Why not? For me who loves flowers and plants, gardening is like my purpose in this life. Life? Yes, in my life. I would like to take some of my time to go gardening. I don't have a real garden, just enough space for my flower and plant. And in this article, I am going to share my experience when I grew Rain Lily in my "garden". Who's like Rain Lily? I am the one! These are my experiences on how to grow Habranthus Robusta or just called it Rain Lily.

Rain Lily - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti 

I bought the bulb about 2 months ago when we visited Garden By The Bay Singapore. Yes, we can buy such kind this souvenir there. Wow, sounds good, right? Of course, for someone who loves flowers, this is really amazing! Me for example, I always excited to buy this kind of souvenir. At the time I wanted to buy a Dahlia bulb, but I couldn't find it. So I decided to buy Rain Lily bulb. First, because I hadn't tried growing this flower, second, I believe this flower is cute and pretty! 😊

The bulb - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

I paid $ 5 for 1 bulb of Rain Lily. Does it sound expensive for 1 bulb? Well, believe me, I haven't seen this kind of flowers sold in the plant shop. So, I think it worth it for me. And in Singapore, flowers and plants are expensive. For example, the price one pot of Portulaca flowers is about $ 5 - $ 6. Yes, I bought only one bulb. And I planted the bulb a few days later in a small pot. Why a small pot? Because this flower is small and it won't grow big and tall like a Dahlia flower. So, a small pot is enough for a Rain Lily bulb.

 A little bud - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Actually, there is no need for special maintenance. I just planted in a small pot with potting soil and water every day by sprinkling it. Other, I put it facing the sunlight. That's it! The Rain Lily needs sunlight, so it good to put them facing sunlight. And I am lucky, because January and February, the sun hits my corridor. Yes, every time I want to grow a flower or plant, the first thing that I have to know where the sunlight is going. That's important. 

My Rain Lily was facing the sunlight - Photographed by Acik Maedhiyanti 

I was surprised, last Saturday when we wanted to go shopping, I saw the Rain Lily flower was blooming. What? Because for the past 3 weeks I hadn't watered my flower and plants. Yes, I got minor surgery 3 weeks ago. At that time I need some rest for 2-3 weeks. The first thing I saw was a beautiful pink Rain Lily in my "garden". After more than 2 weeks took a rest, the Rain Lily was blooming. Well, today, the flower just fades out. Believe me, I am very happy at the time.

These are my experiences on how to grow Habranthus Robusta or Rain Lily. Easy, right? My Japanese friend said, in Japan Rain Lily blooms in autumn and the color is white. And in Singapore, I grew it in January when the sun hits my corridor. So yes, maybe some people will have different experiences on how to grow it. And I am glad to share my experiences with you guys. See you in another article, I haven't decided yet what flower I will plant in my "garden". 

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Do not copy this article without permissions
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permissions 

How I grow Petunia Flower

Petunia Flower from my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

My Petunia Flower - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Living in a flat and do gardening? Oh, please are you kidding me? No, I am not. This is true that I do gardening in such a small space/ or just enough space to put my pots and plants. I love gardening and trying to grow some flowers. This is one of them, the Petunia flower. How to grow the Petunia flower in such hot weather? It is impossible but I am trying... And now they are starting to bloom. I am happy to see it 😊

My Petunia flowers - photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

I didn't remember when I bought the Petunia seeds. Maybe around November 2019. After buying the seeds, 2 days later I sow the seeds in one of my empty pots. Well, at the time this pot was empty because our Rose flower died. Yes, I don't have yards, and it explains why I have to wait for other flowers or plants to die before sowing new flower seeds. I decided to grow the Petunia flower. I know we have hot weather in Singapore, but I have to try.

My baby Petunia Flower with died Rose Plant - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Surprisingly, 2 or 3 days after sowing the seeds were growing. I keep watching this baby Petunia every day. In November, the weather in Singapore looks cooler because of the rain. And the sun changes direction, at this point the sun doesn't catch our corridor. It means, my Petunia would be saved to grow. In my case, the Petunia flower needs light but not direct sunlight to grow. I also water them just once every 3 days. It depends on the soil that we use. I always love to use good soil, fertilizer soil. For me, by using such good soil, I don't need to water my baby Petunia every day. Too much water will make them die.

My Petunia flower (middle December 2019) - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

I watch my Petunia day after day until someday I realized that they are starting to bloom. What? Yes, my Petunia flowers are blooming. I am very happy. It happened in January, then they bloom and bloom, more and more. They are beautiful and nice flowers.  I have 2 pots of Petunia Flowers. For now it only 1 pot the Petunia blooms. And I think another pot will bloom soon. I just wait and be patient.

The first time that I saw the Petunia buds (1st January 2020) - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti 

So, what is the color they have? They are purple and white. But it is possible that might be they have other colors because it's mixed seeds. This flower is beautiful that every day they are facing the sun. They really like sunlight. Yes, in January the sun direction changes again. Now the sun faces our corridor. But my Petunia looks happy to face the direct sunlight every day. And yes, because now they are growing and blooming, I water them every day. They need water every day.

My Petunia flower from my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

These are my experiences on how to grow the Petunia flower. This is my first time growing it. But it looks quite successful and I am happy to share it with all of you. The next flower that I will grow is Habranthus Robusta or Rain Lily. Sounds interesting, right? I am excited and can't wait to see its flowers! See you in the next article about Rain Lily!

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Do not copy this article without permissions
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permissions

Dahlia Flower Is The Real Souvenir From Garden By The Bay Singapore

Dahlia Flower - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

Are you visiting Garden by the bay Singapore? Or are you planning to visit this garden? This is could be the best souvenir. What is it? It is a Dahlia flower. Sounds good, right? I think this is a good souvenir when you visit the best garden in Singapore. I bought a Dahlia flower bulb and grew it. It is the best moment that I have when the flower comes. And I am happy to see the flower. The real souvenir from Garden by the bay is a Dahlia flower.

Dahlia flower from my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

My Dahlia flower started to grow - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

I am a flower lover. I have been growing many kinds of flowers and plants. It started when I was a kid. My father grew many kinds of flowers and plants and design our garden and yards. We both love nature, even my father loved art, for example, painting. My grandma liked flowers too. She loved the Jasmine flower. I call it "the scent from heaven" because of the fragrant. And now both of them passed away, it just only me for now.

I bought a Dahlia flower bulb - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

The price is $10.00 - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

For such a long time that I haven't written any article on my garden blog. I have been busy with many things. In 2016 I started to study again and the following year I opened my home business, here is my Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/ichikraft I also have other blogs! There is my wonderful journey (Ichikraft blog too) here the link https://ichi-journey.blogspot.com/ and my kitchen recipes blog here https://ichi-recipes.blogspot.com/  and Ichikraft Give and Care, the link here https://ichikraft-give-care.blogspot.com/  And Ichikraft is my brand product that name after my cat name. My cat's name is Ichi means one in Japanese.

Now I am trying to connect again on this blog. In this article, I am going to talk about my experiences of growing the Dahlia flower. when we visited Garden By The Bay Singapore I bought the bulb. Actually, I have visited this garden many times. It always feels exciting because there are many flowers and plants that I have to see. Walking around the garden will give me inspiration. I just love my work!

The first bud there! -  Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

Starting to bloom! - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

My last visit was in August a few months ago. I bought a dahlia flower bulb. The price was SGD 10.00 Actually many kinds of flower plants sold at the souvenir shop. And I would love to buy a dahlia bulb rather than other plants. I didn't know what the flower color would come out. I just picked and paid. Then I grew this bulb since then. It was a little worried because of the weather. As you know that Singapore has hot weather all day long and all year. This is not good to grow this kind of flower. Lucky me because our corridor doesn't face direct sunlight. But still, it is quite challenging until today.

My Dahlia flower - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

My dahlia flower grows well and on week 8 the bud came out. There is nothing special on how to treat this plant. I changed the pot when it grew big. Now I think it needs to change the pot again because the plant grows big and tall. I used to buy good potting soil such as compost soil. But I still need to give fertilizer for about 2 spoons every 4 weeks or 6 weeks. Organic chicken fertilizer is my favorite and it hasn't failed me.

My Dahlia flower - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

There are other buds! - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

Now, my dahlia flower fades out yet still beautiful. The other buds come out and will become beautiful flowers soon. The flower color is so beautiful and I wait day after day to see how big this flower. I can't believe that it has a big flower. This is such as my achievement when I succeed to grow a flower from the seeds, in this case, it is a bulb. Yes, it's my first time growing a flower from a bulb. What an amazing experience and I am happy to do it. And this is my happiness!  Yeah, this is the real souvenir from Garden By The Bay Singapore.

My Dahlia flower - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

My pretty lady! - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

How about you? Are you planning to visit this amazing garden in Singapore? I recommended buying a dahlia flower bulb. Yes, of course, this is the souvenir and it's a real flower. After walking around, and seeing many flowers inside the flower dome, you could bring home back a dahlia flower. It sounds good and cool, huh? For me, there is special and unique. Because this garden gives me a lot of inspiration to create my handmade flowers. Here is I show my work!

My work! Ichikraft YouTube Channel. Designer, creator, video creator, business owner: Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy 

My work! Ichikraft YouTube channel. Designer, creator, video creator, business owner: Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Designer, creator, video creator, business owner: Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Do not copy this article anywhere else without permissions
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permissions