Apartment Gardening tips for the beginner

 

Ichi's Garden: growing Hibiscus Flower to create Sunbird's habitat in the urban area - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Indeed in this article, I am going to talk about gardening tips for the beginner as I wrote my project Sunbird to create a habitat for sunbirds in the urban area before. Therefore the focus is on what should someone do if it is the first time walking into gardening activities.

I am trying to propagate my Oxalis - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

1. Trying to grow 1 or 2 plants 

I fully understand that when you see your family member, relatives and neighbors fill their life with gardening, some of you might feel want to do the same thing because of the greeny views and colorful flowers hanging around their houses looks tranquil. However, you have to retain your excitement before buying a bulk of plants and flowers along with gardening materials. Why? Firstly, gardening needs lots of work which draws our energy; are you ready to devote some of your time to it? A beginner might think it is easy peasy to plant and grow vegetables for example after watching YouTube, reading gardening books, or seeing your neighbors. The fact is that after a week, and months, starting feel tired and frustrated because one by one the plants struggle and then die eventually. Therefore, if we are new to the garden work, let's try to grow one or two plants first and see how it works out for you. Especially when we reside in an apartment. At this point, we do not have to lose a mount of money, in this case, when gardening is pricy. Another thing is that planting only one or two plants for trial, will measure our capability to handle plants; including time as I mentioned above. Sometimes some people do not realize that gardening needs a mountain of work since maintenance is necessary to keep the plant healthy. Hence, I have always said that this particular activity is not a hobby but a work. 

2. Choosing a native plant or flower 

Whatever your desire, the first step if you are a beginner in the garden work, the next step is to pick native plants before extending them to a wide range variety of vegetation. The reason is that I presume that native plants are suitable for the environment and temperature where we live, in another word, much easier to take care of as those are familiar. This step is good to prepare ourselves for the garden's work. Compared if we buy non-residential flora, it could discourage you, for instance, I choose to plant the Gerbera flower without considering that I live in a humid and hot weather country. In this case, I should grow native flowers such as Jasmine, or Hibiscus flowers. Why do I recommend this step on your gardening journey? Well, I think everyone wants smooth sailing throughout this journey, isn't it😉 So, residential flowers could better work for the beginner at this point.

3. Learn the sun's position

If we live in an apartment, learning about the sun's position is a crucial point as every plant needs sunlight despite how much they need; some obtain morning sunlight, and others might be suffering without direct sunlight et cetera. Once we decide where our gardening spot would be, we have to know the sun's position in this particular place. Fortune for you if morning direct sunlight bath the garden's space because the choice of a variety of plants could stretch longer. Conversely, only specific flowers and plants would survive in partial light, or without direct sunlight. While growing one or two native floras, we can make an assessment of the garden's spot with the sun's position. After learning this step, we are able to choose which plants that could survive in the garden area. Why this is important? It is definitely to save your energy and money as well. Picking the wrong flowers could consume our time because we need to replace the dying plants. Besides, often buying new flowers for the replacement purpose will drain out our pocket, isn't it? That's my concern. You bet, gardening in Singapore is expensive, for example, good quality potting soil is about $ 4 and above. So, we have to be careful.

4. Pick the right plants

Based on my experiences, making the right choice of what kind of floras we want to grow is a crucial part of the gardening activity in an apartment. Some issues may occur if we grow the wrong vegetation. For instance, the plants or flowers won't grow, capture a disease, and eventually die. Some of you might think, "well, it is fine, I can buy another plant" but how long you would do the same mistake? Besides, it is tiresome as we want to see the flowers bloom, or we can enjoy a little greeny view from our window. Therefore, what is the point of keeping the same mistake; buying the wrong plant or flower then they die in the end? When we will be able to relish our garden work? Observe the florist or flower and plant shop nearby, which the plant and flowers that are suitable for your garden's space requisites. Sometimes, the florist doesn't care about the customer's concern as what they need is to sell as much as flowers and plants in their shop to gain more profit. Therefore, this is your task as a gardener!🤞😉 Remember, gardening is not a hobby. I have believed if we treat this kind of activity as a hobby, we may end up collecting only particular plants. For instance, captivating only Begonias that are not able to grow in your garden space condition in a hot sunny climate with the sun soaring above 30 Degrees at noon. The aim is to create a green view at home, isn't it? For that reason, we must choose the right plants for some benefits, it could be to make a shade from the sun, a beautiful scene because of the flowers we grow, or attract small birds. 

5. Keep Learning

In order to obtain gardening skills, we must keep learning during the process. Indeed, it would take some time, however, the result may surpass your expectation which is great, right!🤗 Imagine, at first you only want to grow Portulaca flowers; while trying to plant them, you study these cute flowers. As a result, you are able to propagate Portulaca and when to replant them, knowing the soil condition that is perfect for them, and soon. The knowledge that we can gain from gardening activities is amazing, right? By doing so, we are able to extend a wide variety of plants in the garden space we have at home, of course, with some consideration on how much time we do have to take care of the plant at home. 

I have had this Aglaonmema since 2015!😊 - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Some of my neighbors said that my plants are quite good, others think that I have always bought a new one because my plant looks pretty and healthy. But the key is that I did 5 things that we discuss in this article. Therefore, if you are a beginner in this work, especially living in an apartment, make sure to know how much time you have to maintain the plants because gardening consumes time. Another pertinent thing is that start 1 or 2 plants by choosing native floral to figure out how it works for you. Then learn whether the sun hit your garden room to pick the right vegetation that suits the condition. Lastly, do not get bored learning while doing the garden activities. Happy gardening!👍😁

Growing this Epiphyllum from a single leaf that I found on the street - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Read one of my stories that I resume on the Rising From The Ashes: Quiet and Outdated Girl Yet Popular and Become A Role Model here https://ichi-journey.blogspot.com/2022/07/risng-from-ashes-quiet-and-outdated.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

Project Sunbird

 

A male Olive-backed Sunbird on the Raintree behind our laundry room - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

My first impression about the Olive-backed Sunbird is how adorable this bird🥰 I had never thought to make a special project for them before until a year ago I decided to create their habitat in a small space that I have in front of my front door. What is the reason behind this project and what are the benefits I have received?

I know, for some people my act might be crazy, but I guess I have always executed crazy things since many years ago one example decided to leave my hometown to study at a university that was far away from my father's house. In this case, in a tiny space and want to make a comfortable environment for the tiny bird-like Sunbird;  It is enough to make people laugh. Yeah, just go laud of laugh and just watch what I have done because I execute my plan to support Olive-backed Sunbird.😉 Doing something that no one wants to do and no one can do; that's typically me🌞

I recognized Olive-backed Sunbird a few years ago before we moved to this flat where we have been living for about 4 years. Back then I had always wondered what kind of tiny bird visited my "garden" and hang out for a while. Back then my cat, Ichi, was alive; she loved to sit tight in front of our window or front door to watch some birds that came to our dense "garden." From Dove, Starling, and Olive-backed Sunbird, those birds perched on my plants regularly and made my cat extremely happy!🤗 Talking about this makes me miss Ichi!😭 Thanks to Ichi, because of her I was concerned and wanted to know more about tiny birds, Olive-backed Sunbird. 

After moving into a flat that we live in today, I bought Hibiscus plants, two actually; orange and yellow color. I had noticed the tiny bird, the Olive-backed Sunbird, had always come whenever the Hibiscus bloomed. It was the first time I found out that the Hibiscus flower is one of its bird diets. I also reckon that another flowering plant that I saw in my neighbor's garden back then was also its diet. The plant's name is Pedilanthus. Since then, I had tried to find this plant at a florist or flower shop nearby. Fortunately, it was hard to find this specific plant. Until someday, I found in the hypermarket; maybe in 2020 (I have forgotten the exact time). I was extremely joyous as this is a precious plant to support Sunbird's habitat.

Pedilanthus plant or Pink Bird Flower at Ichi's Garden - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Some people might think why I chose a kampoeng (village) flower such as Hibiscus. Hibiscus is a common plant in my hometown and does not get appreciation from some residents as it is no value and benefits for them. One example, some people that I know from my village, they bought plants that give them status social in the society, basically expensive ones which represent how wealthy they are. It sounds strange, isn't it? Meanwhile for me, choosing a plant or flower to create Sunbird's habitat to support their survival in the urban area aka bustling city. Therefore, I had looked for those Sunbird diets. Heliconia, Fire Cracker plant, I do not have them. But my guess is that planting more than 5 pots of Hibiscus is enough to make Sunbird have a feeding spot. Nowadays I have kept 8 pots of Hibiscus flowers, plus one is still growing. Yeah, a few months ago I cultivated Hibiscus from its stem. One of those blooms and more buds coming. Meanwhile, another one hasn't matured yet. Adding one pot of Pedilanthus, in total is 10 plants in Ichi's garden in order to create a Sunbird habitat. 

I have been working on this project, project Sunbird since March 2021. Yeah, this is my own work, and I am happy doing this. The reason is to support the survival of this tiny bird in the urban area. It must be hard for specific wild birds to survive in the residential area because their diet is specific and the city expansion where many trees have been chopped down. Unlike pigeon or Javan Myna birds, they could eat anything they find. But nectarine-bird, Sunbird, need nectarine flower plants to keep them alive. In my view, our world would be great and beautiful if we coexist side by side with nature even though we live in a bustling city. My second reason is to preserve the Hibiscus flower. If some or many people do not appreciate this plant, sooner or later it might be extinct for sure. For this reason, I want to keep this beautiful flower around me and show how wonderful they are because it is a food source for Sunbird, a tiny cute bird.

Recently, my Hibiscus plants blooms one to another, and the Pink Bird flower (Pedilanthus) as well. Nowadays, after a year have been trying to grow Hibiscus, I can see the result in front of my eyes. For the first time, I saw Juvenile Olive-backed Sunbird yesterday. It means the breeding season this year succeeded! The success of Sunbird's next generation is also our responsibility too as we, humans, have taken soo much from nature, now it is our turn to help nature. 

If you are following Ichi's Garden, it is easy for you to find out how easy to grow the Hibiscus plant as I wrote about it before.  Easy to grow and low maintenance, moreover, support Sunbird's habitat, that is something worthy to planting this flower, isn't it? I mentioned in another article that the soil surface supports the growth of tiny snails that attracts other birds such as a sparrow. Correct, recently I saw and hear sparrows visit my "garden." Another time I also saw Swinehoe's white-eye bird come perching on my Hibiscus plant. Maybe they follow Sunbird to find food sources or perhaps feel comfortable with the dense vegetation that I create. Whatever the reason, the green environment attracts some living creatures, especially tiny wild birds. 

Meanwhile for me, personally, I am happy to support tiny wildlife such as the Olive-backed Sunbird. When they brought their chick to my "garden" I was tears of joy. The same feeling when Yellow-vented Bulbul came with their chick. All of those mean that my project is a success. I wished I could introduce my project to the community if, only IF, the authority where I live approves "the community gardening project." Yeah, last year, one of the residents in our block proposed to create a gardening activity for the residents of our block as many of us love gardening. There is plenty of gardening project that has been held by residents around us in other blocks that occupy some of the empty space nearby their block. They grow vegetables, flowers, fruit trees, and many others. It sounds great activity for the residents to know each other, my guess. Sadly, not on our block. My only worry right now is that when I move to another place, who will support this tiny bird?

Besides, a beautiful home is one that is surrounded by flowers and plants. I used to live at a landed house with dense vegetation. Therefore, I can't live without flowers around me. In this case, looking through my window, it is a fresh green view (even though on small scale) complete with the wildlife one example Sunbird. Hearing their chirping daily makes me smile and relive my life pressure. Especially in the early morning, when I do watering my plants, the air is smell good and fresh because of the scent of the leaves. I think these are the benefits of working on the project Sunbird. 

Supporting wildlife is something that we can start from home by doing gardening. Creating Sunbird's habitat motivates me to do more to help nature. Although project Sunbird is a little act yet this is a big hope for our future, yes? That is what I have believed, humans and nature coexist side by side and live together in order to create a great and beautiful world in the future.🌞✨

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

Support the Yellow-vented Bulbul to Survive in The Urban Area

 

Juvenile Yellow-vented Bulbul at Ichi's Garden - Photographed by RDZ

Look at the picture above, it is an adorable juvenile Yellow-vented Bulbul!🌞🥰 Who knows, gardening at home would attract birds and as a result, this act supports the next generation of the birds that live around us which creates a beautiful world for us, humans, and nature!👊🌞

First of all, let's celebrate a couple Yellow-vented Bulbul's success in bringing up their chick; the chick is growing and healthy!✌😊 Wait a minute, how am I able to have this precious moment? Starting from December 2021 or early January 2022 (I am unsure), after frequently I saw Yellow-vented Bulbul cames to my "garden" I put some a little banana under my lime tree that I have grown in a pot for about 6 or 7 years. Actually, May 2021, was the first time we captured the first video on how a Yellow-vented Bulbul hunted the caterpillar on my lime tree and devour a big green swallowtail butterfly caterpillar. Yes, my kaffir lime tree has been attacked by the caterpillar time by time and I could not spray any pesticide to repel the caterpillar as I am used to adding kaffir lime leaves on some of my recipes. The culprit is the Swallowtail butterfly. This butterfly loves to lay its egg on my kaffir lime leaves which makes my lime lose its leaves; no leaves left when the Swallowtail caterpillar shows up! To be honest, although I love butterflies yet this is an irritating event. That caterpillar is similar to an eating machine only in a short time, my lime leaves are gone... I presume the Yellow-vented Bulbul comes to my "garden" is because found its food. When there is no caterpillar have found on my lime tree, they just hang out for a couple minutes by perching on my plants, sometimes singing for a while. After encountering some or several times sawing this particular Bulbul at my "garden" I wanted to give them a reward as they have kept the caterpillar at bay by offering some a little banana (sometimes papaya) to them. This is what I call mutual symbiosis, both of us get the benefit; for me, my lime has big and green shiny leaves, meanwhile, for this bird, their belly is full! That is what I had heard in my biology class since I was in primary school. Do you remember what you had learned in Biology class? If not, quick fast googling what is mutual symbiosis!😉

We have never noticed before until last Saturday (19 March 2022) at 5 PM a couple Yellow-vented Bulbul came to my "garden" and brought their chick. On a regular day, we have already known that Yellow-vented Bulbul visits my lime tree and eats the banana that I place. However, I have never expected this small act would help them to survive. I presume this couple Bulbul fed their chick with the banana that I offered for their hard-working to kick the caterpillar. Some people think that feeding wild birds is wrong, however, in contrast, it supports the success of The Yellow-vented Bulbul next generation to thrive and survive in an urban area since we live in a bustling city where I have seen many trees have been cutting down by authority to expand the city landscape. Moreover, avoid them from extinction so that our next generation will be able to see Yellow-vented Bulbul. You may already hear that if habitants lose their habitat, their chance to survive is small, their young generation won't survive either. In this case, we, humans, must lend our hands to help them, just a little a bit, it would help; such as birds in this article, to live and thrive. For me, giving Yellow-vented Bulbul a little banana is not a big deal. It is only a small chunk for us, and I have always cleaned it in the evening (at 5 PM or 6 PM) daily which means it is fresh banana every morning. I won't let any leftover trash in the corridor. People might be concerned if someone feeding wild birds could affect the human environment one example the corridor looks dirty because of the banana leftover. However, when I make this action there is have always the responsibility that comes along; I must clean up in the evening even in the early morning before I do the activity, after watering my plants I wash the corridor floor where my "garden" is placed. If you see the corridor in front of our home, there are no objects like empty bottles, empty pots, pot soil, a bicycle, cardboard, a shopping cart, rack shoes, clothes ( some resident drying their wet clothes, rug, mat, in the corridor) et cetera. When you visit my "garden" where I put a little banana for Bulbul under my lime tree, your eyes only see foliage plants and flower plants. Therefore, in my view, giving Bulbul food is actually to assist them to survive as you may know Yellow-vented Bulbul has a requirement in its diet. Unlike Javan Myna and Pigeon, these birds are able to eat anything. 

Some other people also think that supporting wild birds (Yellow-vented Bulbul in this article), is just to bait them so that I am able to capture their picture. Here is the thing, I have been doing gardening since I was a child where my father grew and planted many flowers and fruit trees in our garden and yards. Because of the dense vegetation in my father's garden, it attracted lots of wildlife to come and became a shelter for some species which was called "home." Nowadays, although I am far away from the place I come from, gardening is still something that I want to preserve and pass down to my next generation as this is not only to give wildlife food and home but also the way to keep my father alive in my life. I mentioned in another article that gardening is not just planting plants, this activity is actually to keep the soil fertile so that little creatures such as worms can live happily. Besides, the plants and the flowers themselves are the food sources and shelter for other species like bees, small birds, butterflies, et cetera. Moreover, gardening is one of my way to share happiness; when my plants produce flowers, my neighbors feel happy to see them. In the past, my father let one of my father's neighbors pick his flowers and sold them in the market when the flowers bloomed; and my father had never asked for money. So, by gardening we are able to help others; it is true!✨😊 That is why I have always said that gardening is not a hobby because if you treat this activity as a hobby you will end up becoming a collector of pricey flowers and plants based on what I have seen in some people that I know. 

If you are following Ichi's Garden, you may notice that I have tried to create Sunbird's habitat since March 2021 by planting Hibiscus flowers. Same as Sunbird, I guess planting lime tree (any kind of lime family) would help Yellow-vented Bulbul to survive since butterflies love laying its egg on the lime's leaves. Curry plant berry, Lantana flower plant berry, is also loved by this particular Bulbul. There is another plant, unfortunately, I do not know the plant's name until these days. Those are the plants that I have learned during observing Yellow-vented Bulbul for the past 3 months. Besides the Yellow-vented Bulbul diet, we also discovered their behavior, for instance how the male Yellow-vented Bulbul greeted its mate, the greeting mom's Yellow-vented Bulbul to its chick, distinct call to their mate (they recognize their mate by the distinct call). We were also found out and witnessed how protected the male of this particular bird when it comes to its territory of the food source and protects his family (becoming a guard for the nest). We were also lucky that we captured the moment when the male Yellow-vented Bulbul sang. How I do know all these behavior? Because we both my husband and I observe them and analyze the videos or footage we have. For me, it is intriguing to know the deep about nature around us. So, we do not have to keep Yellow-vented Bulbul or any kind of birds in the cage, let them free, and support them to survive!👊🌞

Supporting the success of the Yellow-vented Bulbul to survive in the urban area is an interesting activity as we can learn their habit and behavior. Furthermore, in an urban area like where we are today, it is crucial to think about wildlife habitat because the lost habitat will lead to the extinction of those habitants. In this case, is Yellow-vented Bulbul. Therefore, we, humans, must lend our hands to support them so that the Yellow-vented Bulbul success to bring up the next generation and they survive. Humans and nature coexist side by side, it is a great and beautiful world we must create for our next generation.🤩👍

Note:

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

 

Support The Wildlife By Gardening

Yellow-vented Bulbul visited Ichi's garden - Photographed by RDZ

Do you agree that the activity of gardening would support the wildlife?🤔 Personally, for me, gardening is not only planting flowers and plants but the gardening activities have impacted the wildlife and our environment as well. All of those are connected by the fact that each element needs each other to support the circle of life.

I have an unforgettable memory of when I was a child. At that time in my hometown, we had no electricity. One night my father took me and my brother to walk outside the house and brought a flashlight. My father pointed out something directly to the bushy medium trees that had been growing only 1,5 meters from our side right house. These trees had fruit that we could use for cooking. The leaves themselves, I think it was edible. The trees were only 2 meters with lots of small branches; that is why looked bushy. What I saw was 3 tiny owl perched on one of the branches of that particular tree. I do not know whether they were baby owls or small owls. I can't forget that moment until these days. Besides becoming a sanctuary for owl, my father's yards was also home to varieties of wildlife; from nectarine bird, insect bird, dragonfly, butterfly, lizard, bats, termites, et cetera even snake! The last one (snake) was the most wildlife that I do not like. Inspired by my father, I filled a small pond (1-meter x 50 cm, less than 50 cm deep) with apple snails that I picked for free from the irrigation nearby. And the result was the frog made this pond their home too. One thing that I have always admired about my father was that although he was a busy career man at that time yet he made a contribution to preserving nature. He designed the garden landscape by himself, planting flowers, plants, and fruit trees, at the weekend or when took a leave. He had worked on this (gardening) for years to create dense vegetation around our house that become a shelter for many living things. 

A male Olive-backed Sunbird at Ichi's garden - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

How did my father's gardening activity affect our life? Of course, we enjoyed fruits, birds chirping every day without keeping them in the cage, our home cool because of the shade from the trees, earthworms made the soil healthy since we kept the fallen leaves on one small section of my father's garden, and we did not suffer much during the dry season. Our well was the last one dry among villagers. It was almost rain season come when the water dissipated from our well. The trees around my father's house helped us to keep the water a little longer during the dry season. Some people wondered why, but I knew the answer as I had learned this in the science subject in primary school. Besides all those benefits we got, I think is that by looking at the greeny view, reduced the stressful life. Leaving home at 5.30 AM and arriving at home at almost 6 PM sometimes 8PM or 10 PM on the weekday, that was my father's routine when he dedicated his knowledge for a big company. To release the pressure at work, I think he picked gardening since he loved pretty flowers.

By reading the 2 paragraphs above, you get the hint of why I do love gardening. Yeah, it is because I have been familiar with gardening since I was a child. I have found out that gardening is fascinating and fun as well. As I mentioned in my previous article the pollinator such as little bees had been attracted by my Hibiscus that I grew recently. The caterpillar is also attracting Yellow-vented Bulbul and as the result, I offer them bananas and papaya to keep the caterpillar at bay. Recently, a Dove comes to my "garden." Maybe checking up for the nesting site or perhaps looking for a snack as I have abundant tiny snails on my potting soil surface. Furthermore, I have been working on the project Sunbird since March 2021. Yeah, this is my project with my own effort and I have done this just because I want to preserve the Hibiscus flower and Sunbird. That's it!🤗

 A dove visited Ichi's garden - Photographed by RDZ

For me, gardening has lots of meaning in my life. The first is to keep my father's alive in my life (my grandma as well). The second is to support the wildlife just like what my father did in the past. Gardening is not collecting pricey plants like some people do, in my opinion, gardening is to support wild living things from small creatures such as earthworms, bees, birds, butterflies, and...by the end of the day it affects humans too as we would get a healthy environment. Everything is connected because we need each other.

Doing gardening even at the small place as I have done, would give support to wildlife, especially small birds. We can create a little habitat and make them coexist side by side with us, humans. The advantages of doing soo are that we can hear their chirping regularly without keeping them in the cage, keeping the caterpillar in check, reducing my stress level, and making our home fresh because of the greeny view. Therefore, let's start to preserve nature by doing gardening at home!👊🌞😊

Note:

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

Growing Rose of Sharon from Seeds

 

My rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Syriacus) - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Really, in Singapore? As we all know that hot weather is our daily temperature and the sun hits soo bright!  Whereas this type of flower loves low temperature and somehow is not suit in our environment. However, I would like to try with the advantage maybe Sunbird will approve and love it. 

Ichi's Garden: small Hibiscus - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

I do not remember when the exact time bought Hibiscus Syriacus. When did weekly grocery shopping, I was captivated by the seeds called Hibiscus? On the cover, they did not say what kind of Hibiscus that was. Something on my mind was willing to grow these seeds as I have been working on Project Sunbird. If this plant could produce such kind of flower that Sunbirds love, then this would be a further step to finding another Sunbird diet besides the common Hibiscus flower, Pedilanthus Little Bird flower that I have grown in my "garden." 

The bud of my special Hibiscus - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

A few days after buying that particular Hibiscus seeds, I started putting some seeds on the regular pot with potting soil. I placed it on the ledge in our laundry room where the morning sun hits the space. Not long to wait, the seeds sprouted and I gave it sprinkles water daily. Day by day, my sprout had not grown much until I moved the pot outside (in my "garden"). Since then, they have been growing stronger and taller than before with healthy leaves. Only 8 survived and I separated them into 3 different pots and gave them organic fertilizer. About 30 cm tall or less than 50 cm, they have produced flowers! My guess is the last week of January 2022, was when my rose of Sharon was full-bloomed! Nowadays, only one pot is left because others plants in another pot had been attacked by mealybugs and I cut and thrown them away. Meanwhile, the only one survived, I trimmed them so they will prepare to bloom again, hopefully!🤞🙂

My special Hibiscus, small yet pretty!🥰 - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

How long I had been waiting until full bloom? To be honest I do not remember. Maybe 4 months because at first I got some obstacles where they won't grow and looked weak.  What I can say is that it is worth to try growing this pretty Hibiscus. my neighbors admire this type of Hibiscus as they are small yet pretty enough to make our day smile and feel great. Every morning I have seen small pollinators flying around this flower when it bloomed. And you know what? I am quite happy because I succeed to create nature and attract some birds and pollinators. Today, not only does Sunbird visit my "garden" but Yellow-vented Bulbul also comes daily. In a rare case, sometimes Dove suddenly appears on my plant and eats tiny snails that are abundant on my potting soil surface as I have always picked up yellow leaves and put them on my potting soil surface. So, these tiny snails decompose the leaves to give nutrients to my plants, then the bird eats the tiny snails. In a specific event like a thunderstorm, many worms come out from the soil and somehow they just disappear; my guess might be the Bulbul bird eats them. For me, lots of worms grow in the potting soil which means these creatures help my plants to grow healthy. Sometimes my neighbor mentions that my plants look pretty and healthy despite the fact they grow in small pots. How?🌞✌

My pretty Hibiscus - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Although this kind of Hibiscus is typically hard to grow in our environment yet I managed to keep them in my best what can I do and bloomed 3 weeks ago. Maybe the last pot of rose of Sharon won't survive, however, I am satisfied with the result that I have working on it. Unfortunately, Sunbird did not approve of this Hibiscus as one of their diets. But, it doesn't matter since some of my Hibiscus plants have started to bloom so they still feel happy by visiting my "garden" daily to suck the Hibiscus flowers nectar!

My small Hibiscus bloomed about 3 weeks ago - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Growing Hibiscus Syriacus in a small space like the apartment? Why not! Maybe the result is not so great like we grow them in the ground. However, at least by doing this activity, we can create a habitat for some creatures one example birds, in a bustling city. We, humans, have taken soo much from nature, and now it is time for us to give back to mother nature, coexist side by side with nature.🌞🤗

Read my new article on Ichi's Fusion Recipes, link is here https://ichi-recipes.blogspot.com/2022/02/warming-sweet-skinless-boneless-chicken.html

Thank you for reading my article, see ya!🖐🌞

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

Easy ways To Keep The Hibiscus Flowers Growing Well and Healthy

 

One of my Hibiscus flowers - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Is that easy to grow Hibiscus in a pot, especially when we live in an apartment? I would say yes if you know what you are doing with your Hibiscus, otherwise, your darling Hibiscus won't grow and the ultimate thing is they die sooner. So, what are the easy ways to keep the Hibiscus flowers growing well and healthy?

Take a look at the picture above or the first picture in this article. I have had this "Orange" Hibiscus for about 3 years now. Read the article associated with this particular Hibiscus here https://ichi-garden.blogspot.com/2021/06/how-to-make-hibiscus-bloom-continuously.html You see at first it was dying but we figured out how to make it bloom again, moreover, grow well and healthy. You can say what I am going to write in this article is based on my experiences years, not a day or a month with more fails. It takes some time to understand how my plant grows by observing them. Of course, it isn't easy as we live in an apartment which means more obstacles I would encounter while growing my greenery in my corridor. One example is where the morning sun hits because what kind of flowers and plants I choose will depend on it. The good thing is that the Hibiscus plant works incredibly awesome in my "garden." I am quite delighted about it!🌞

My Hibiscus plants - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

One day I told one of my neighbors that taking care of Hibiscus is easy and effortless compared to others. She was surprised since for her it needs more maintenance that won't go a piece of cake. She also thought that my Orange Hibiscus with flowers is a new plant that I just bought. Look at the second picture, one of them has grown in a small pot yet has green shiny leaves and big flowers. Seriously, growing potentially become a big plant in a small pot? It sounds unusual and I think that what was going on in my neighbor's mind on how this plant is literally healthy. What have I done to keep them tremendously extraordinary as we concern it has planted in small pot?

Ichi's Garden: my yellow Hibiscus - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

1. Change the soil if necessary

After buying the Hibiscus plant at a florist or plant & flower shop, check the soil. Because sometimes I find out the red soil has been used in the commercial flowers. Red soil does not provide good support for any plant, at least in my opinion. Therefore, we must change the soil. For me, it doesn't need to contain 100%  compost soil, I need to mix it with common soil about 60%, and 30 % compost soil. Interestingly, we can actually use red soil for the base only to cover 10 % since it is heavy in weight compared to compost soil or common soil and I think it is good for the pot support.

Basically, common soil is the same soil in our yard, meanwhile, compost soil is made from plants mainly, that is what I know. Mixing them will create a good environment for the plants and also living things such as worms. Only compost soil, it doesn't work for me because of its texture that can not support my plant and is easy to dry out when the sun hits hard. Moreover, it is too light that makes the plant has a weak root. Additionally, when the wind blows this pot will easy to fall apart. The best way is to mix both common and compost soil.

Ichi's Garden: I call this one Long trunk Creamy Hibiscus - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

2. Don't overwater

Back then when I lived at my father's house, twice a day; in the morning and evening or late noon to water my father's flowers that had been planted in pots as we considered we were under the scorching sun most of the year. However, I had learned it depends on the position of the plants we place them. For instance, Pigeon orchid, my father planted under the shady and cooling a cotton tree. As result, we only water it once a day. What kind of plant we grow is also able to determine how many times we give it water. 

In this case, growing flowers and plants in an apartment are challenging. For decades, I have been trying to understand my circumstances wherever I want to buy flowers. Not only what kind of plants would suit my "garden" but also my watering habits. The reason is that if the sun hits my "garden" badly all day long then I need to water my plant twice. So make sure, once you buy flowers, you know their background. Otherwise, you need to read its flower information while you are trying to grow them.

Specific for Hibiscus, it is definitely a tropical flower. Growing Hibiscus on the ground is soo much easier compared to a pot. We do not need a particular schedule to water them, and we do not have to give it fertilizer either. On the ground, believe me, Hibiscus would be happy without maintenances. However, when in a pot, it comes a different story. Once a day, it's enough to give Hibiscus water. But in the hottest weather, my Hibiscus asks twice a day for water. Once again, this depends on the plant's position.

Ichi's garden: My yellow Hibiscus buds - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

3. Fertilizer regularly

If you have read my other article (link above) you would easy to figure out how to make Hibiscus happy and as result, they produce more flowers. I mentioned fertilizer for blooms, and I think this is important to encourage Hibiscus blooms. Every two weeks give this plant fertilizer for bloom. Besides treating Hibiscus with bloom fertilizer, every 3 weeks I add organic fertilizer for them so that they grow healthy by showing shinning leaves. Read the instructions on how much fertilizer our plant need. Usually, it depends on how big our plants are.

Ichi's garden: I call this lollypop Hibiscus - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

4. Trimming 

I have done to give it fertilizer, but it is far below the expectation where the Hibiscus only shows off their greeny shine leaves and no flower at all...🤔 It is time to trim the Hibiscus, cut some branches. I would say I keep my Hibiscus short ( not towering) since I grow them in a pot; small pots. This trimming will simulate new leaves, new branches that bring buds! At this time, if we give them the correct amount of fertilizer, the leaves would appear green and shiny, and big as well.

Ichi's Garden: I call this Pinkies Hibiscus flower - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Here the thing, Hibiscus flower is typically ground plant where they can grow big and higher. If we want to keep them in a pot (small pot), do not give them what they desire. You change to a bigger pot, a few months later they grow bigger and want a bigger pot than before, again and again...

Now the question is when we know the Hibiscus needs some trimming? After the bloom reaches the peak season, fewer and fewer buds have been produced by our Hibiscus flower. Sometimes we can see a small and abnormal flower, the leaves appear to become small. If you see those signs, be better to trim your Hibiscus. 

Ichi's Garden: I call this Long trunk Blood Hibiscus - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

5. Giving Hibiscus the touch of sun

I have an issue with direct sunlight, especially, morning sunlight. However, the direct sunlight hits some of my plants after midday. In my case, after trimming the Hibiscus, I place them in the spot where direct sunlight touches them even though a noon light. After some time, when they are ready to flower, I move my Hibiscus in a place where only light touches them. If this is not your case, better place them in the morning direct sunlight. Morning direct sunlight is unbeatable to give support for flowers and plants.

Ichi's Garden: I call this one is Pleated Red Hibiscus - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

6. Do not throw fall leaves

What does it mean? Well, what do you do when you see yellow leaves on the branches, or when the leaves fall? Me, I pluck yellow leaves and pick leaves that have fallen then put them on the potting soil surface. My idea is to give additional nutrients to my plants from organic material that comes from their own. Furthermore, it would create a natural environment where other living things can grow or live such as small snails and of course worms as well. 

That's what I have done to my Hibiscus plants. If you see my Hibiscus, you might wonder how come grows in a small pot yet has green big shiny leaves, and big flowers as well. The answer is that I give them the maintenances above. 

Of course, during this experiment, I had lost some of my Hibiscus flowers. However, on the bright side, all of that negative events are turn out amazing and I am happy!🤩🌞

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

 

 

From Flower, Seeds, and Leaves; We eat all those parts of The Belinjo Plant

 

Belinjo (Gnetum gnemon)  seeds - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

People in my hometown know this plant since it was a common ingredient in one of the dishes we call "sayur asem." I wrote this particular soup on Ichi's Fusion Recipes and it was without Belinjo seeds and young leaves. We, Indonesian, pick from flowers, seeds, and young leaves of Belinjo to add them to our foods. 

In the place where I come from, Sumatera island, we do not grow Belinjo plant or Melinjo as it is not a native plant in our region. Mainly, it grows in Java island where we could find this tree at household yards or gardens. However, we are familiar with its products, one example is Belinjo crackers made from Belinjo seeds. The crackers have a bitter taste with garlic and salt in it. For some children in my hometown, it was not their kind of thing to indulge their tongue. Unlike them, for me, I liked  Belinjo crackers and it has become one of my favorite snacks on some occasions since then.

Besides using the seeds for crackers, Indonesian take Belinjo's young leaves, and flowers in some traditional cuisines for instance "sayur asem" (sour soup) and Melinjo flower as one of the ingredients in "urap" (Indonesian salad). The sour soup consists of long beans, corn, young jack fruit, eggplant, ground peanut, tamarind, Belinjo seeds, and young leaves. No wonder the taste of the soup is sour which is both intriguing and challenging for me yet I love it!🤩 For someone who is not fond of tamarind taste would skip this menu from the dining table.

I wish I could pick those Belinjo fruits!😐 - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

After moved to a particular city to study at a university, I found that we can cook Belinjo skin seeds as delectable food on the table along with other ingredients; local calls it "bronkos." I often bought a meal with this menu at the food stall as this menu is the signature of this city. Moreover, we can find a snack made from the Belinjo skin seeds. It sounds amazing, isn't it? I discovered this knowledge when I decided to move out from the place where I was born and grew up. It is the advantage of being brave to see the world.😃

Nowadays, I have seen the Belinjo tree standing proudly nearby our block where no one takes the flowers, seeds, and young leaves. There are lots of Belinjo trees just across the street from our residential. To be honest, I wish I could pick the Belinjo young leaves and their fruit so that I could make sour soup at home. However, it is virtually impossible in Singapore as those trees have been grown by the government (National Park). What I can do is just take pictures.🙄

An abundance of ripe Belinjo fruits and I just took the picture😏 - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

From the flowers, seeds, and young leaves, we can use all those parts of the Belinjo plant as food sources. Some people from my hometown said it had some health benefits if we consumed those food sources, one example was to reduce high blood pressure. However, some people were not on the same page where a person with high blood pressure and cholesterol should have avoided Belinjo products such as Belinjo crackers. Moreover, an individual with gout should remove Belinjo (flowers, seeds, young leaves) from their menu as it brings a bad health issue.

In spite of some benefits that we have from a Belinjo tree; the first is food sources as we can pick the flowers, seeds, and the young leaves, in addition, is where some people have believed that this food source is good for our health.  On the opposite, this source of ingredients is bad news for a person with gout and some people argue that individuals with high blood pressure and cholesterol should avoid those ingredients from their diet. 

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 Story of Monstera and Its Meaning in My Life

 

Ichi's Garden: Cheese plant - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Who says and where does the name come from? "widow" plant? Many people have known this plant as Monstera. So, what is the story about it,  any intriguing side behind this green foliage? This is my story that I treasure and stay in my storage of mind forever.

Cheese plant or some say Swiss Cheese plant was one of the foliage plants in my father's mini botanic garden. There were numerous flowers and plants with rage diversity in my father's garden landscape. He had been starting to collect those floras since the house finished. My father designed our big yards perfectly with a meticulous job where he selected the flower, foliage, and trees, that suited each spot. He said all black shiny stones with medium and small sizes that used to create a more natural look view at the garden were freshwater stones. I had no clue where he got those stones as we did not live in any nearby river. He chose a Cheese plant to fill one of the pots arranged in the terrace house.

Like other flowers collections, I did not know where this Monstera came from, did my father bought it from a garden shop or picked it from his friend's house, I was clueless. I even did not take notice when he planted it. It was probably during weekends when I had always been busy with my friends, my father spent his time doing gardening at home. Eventually, I found Monstera was fascinating when one of my father's siblings said, "Oh, I have this plant too at home, the name is "Holes of The Widow"." I was curious why a plant had such a name, it was weird and improper for me. I loved Biology and I was not on the page in this name. Moreover, I had believed this greeny plant had a Latin name just like another. For that reason, Monstera captivated me and I have admired this unique foliage since then.

After years living in Singapore, someday I saw a greeny foliage plant that have holes in its leaves. No doubted that it was the same plant in my father's garden collections. I bought it and now I have had this plant for about 5 years. I am delighted to have it in my mini "garden." It does not only remind me of my father's garden but also gives me a smile whenever I miss my father. Yeah, I have tried to find and buy flowers and plants that exist in my father's yards in the past because nowadays those are not in there anymore.

Each plant and flowers in my "garden" have their own stories. For me, personally, gardening is not a hobby like many people say. This is a passion, a job, and about responsibility to mother nature. That was what my father taught me. If some people think that planting flowers is a hobby then they would only fascinate with extravagant plants. This is what I have seen nowadays where many (mostly) my friends from the place I come from do gardening for a fancy and status social in the community. The more they collect such pricey plants or flowers, the more they wish for compliments. The aim is different if we love nature, the goal is to preserve and protect nature including the habitant in it so that we can create a better world for the next generation where humans and nature coexist side by side. Sometimes I just wonder, those priceless plants and flowers actually exist in the village some years ago where I lived in my hometown. Aglaonema, Caladium, Alocasia, Euphorbia, including Monstera, and many others, those were abundant in the past. For the past years, many villagers have been chop down trees, decimate plants that create habitat loss for some creatures for example birds, dragonflies, butterflies, squirrels et cetera, as the result, native village plants and flowers are sold in the garden shop at high-priced. One of my friends acknowledges it as he mentions that the nectarine bird is no longer spot in his hometown and is long gone because some or many people do not aware of the importance of trees and flora to its residents. In addition, deforestation will definitely aggravate the damage to nature. We, humans, are the ones who ruin our own world. If our world changes, the balance collapses, where would we live? 🙄 Exodus to Mars?🤔

My Cheese plant is also known as Monstera story has lots of meaning in my life. Besides reminding of my father, it is also my responsibility to preserve this unique plant. This is one of my jobs to keep it exist so that someday when I have kids I can tell them the story of my Monstera. It would be intriguing storytelling and will encourage them to do the same thing; love our nature and treasure it.

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

The Story of Cuphea Purple in My Childhood

 

Ichi's Garden: Cuphea Purple - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Have you ever heard Cuphea Purple flower? Or probably you know about it? For me, the Cuphea flower is not only just a plant but also has a story during my childhood life. It was a great and amazing moment and stay in my mind until today. 

I bought Cuphea Purple about 2 weeks ago where I went grocery shopping. The price is cheaper only $3 for one small pot of Cuphea Purple. Therefore I did not hesitate to pick it up and brought it home as my new member family in my "garden." After moving it to a bigger pot and place it in the right spot, my Cuphea grows well in health condition. I am delighted since it brings back my childhood memorable story!

It was one of my best friends who introduced me to the Cuphea Purple plant. I know her since kindergarten school and we had been becoming close friends since then. We explored our neighborhood every day with others to find a new flower, plant, or anything that was more interesting than playing with toys or dolls. We were not keen on those city's children's things as my friends and I were excited to ride our bikes and did adventure. It was the time when we were in primary school.

My friends and I had a hobby that none of villager children aren't interested in today. Besides finding a new plant and flower in our neighborhood, we collected and planted them in our yards at home. If one of us found a new one, immediately informed each other and shared what we found. Hence, we had numerous flowers collection and we got all of those without spent a single cent of money which meant free! How? Well, when we identified an interesting flower in one of the households, we just asked the house owner nicely and they gave us permission to pick in order to propagate it by ourselves. Sometimes when I went to my classmate's house, I did ask them to pluck one or some of their flowers and brought them home and propagated them. Yes, I had 2 distinct friends, one was friends from around my father's house, while another was friends from my school where mostly came from another district. These two groups of friends did not get along with each other. The reason was simply that both of those groups had different interests. I reckon I was blending in more than two groups. For this reason, I was able to collect many varieties of flowers effortlessly. 

Someday, one of my friends told me that she planted a plant that had a tiny flower. She showed me at her yards and I was amazed about what I saw. It was clear, she created her name on the ground by planting those tiny plants. "Isn't that great?!", she said. "amazing.", I replied. After saw such a creative idea, another friend and I were copied her bright project. Yes, we called it a project where we grew the Cuphea Purple in our garden. However, I was the one who was not able to create my name on the ground. The reason was that my father's garden had already been crowded with flowers. It needed some space, if I pulled the original flower from the garden landscape, my father would furious. Yes, I was allowed to plant flowers and plants (whatever I like) as long as did not break the original garden landscape; that was my father's rule and I had to comply with it. So, I planted my Cuphea Purple on the top left corner of my father's front yards and grew some others on the edge of the terrace house. 

Something that was intriguing about our journey to grow Cuphea Purple was that my friends and I did not know its name! That's true! Common flowers such as Rose, Jasmine, Hibiscus, Allamanda, Gardenia, we all knew as it had been taught in the class. Unfortunately, we did not have the ability to identify many species of flowers and plants around our neighborhood. It was sad, but we could not do anything about it since we could not barely buy books. How about the library? Our village did not have a library. School's library? Our school's library did not have those particular books collections. Internet? Well, dream of it!😆😅

Years passed, nowadays, I am easy to find this tiny purple flower in the flowers/ garden shop nearby at a cheaper price. Moreover, I can identify it! this is my progress after took years!😂 Another good thing is that it brings back my memorable moment with my friends in the village! On top of that, what I had done in the past when I was a child is the core of how I can become like I am today. And I am glad had many friends in the village who encouraged me to sharpen my knowledge and did something to preserve our nature.

The story of Cuphea Purple in my childhood life was unforgettable. It brought a friendship, learned nature, and how to take care of our environment into a better one. As far as I remember, many villagers adored our act because my friends and I created the village more lively. What we did was more educational rather than damaged the village's reputation. Therefore, it is a great story that I want to treasure.🤗

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

How to make Hibiscus bloom continuously?

 

My orange Hibiscus flower - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Look at the stunningly beautiful orange Hibiscus in the picture above, it is pretty, isn't it? Unlike nowadays that has bloomed continuously,  this plant hadn't flowered for more than a year! So, what did I do to make this plant finally back to track to produce buds and bloom?

It's unbelievable when I saw for the first time after more than a year my orange Hibiscus hadn't bloomed! Last year, I didn't do any gardening activities in my corridor due to the coronavirus situation. Yes, last year was a hard time for everyone here in Singapore, even we were under circuit breaker for 2 months or you can call it semi-lockdown as the new cases in the community spiked and many people felt uncertain with the situation. Therefore, I didn't care about the healthiness of my plants nor bought new flowers. Completely, we just sit tight at home, watched and read the news and listen to our government conference, what do and don't during this unprecedented crisis. Because of this, sort of to say, I abandoned my plants! Sorry...😐

Since early 2021, I have gradually started my gardening activities as the condition far more stable by buying chicken fertilizer to give my plants nutrients so that they are in good shape again. However, I noticed one of my plants; and it was my orange Hibiscus, looked skinny without any leaves along the big branch. Only some leaves on the top even though I put chicken fertilizer but still it hadn't any improved. What happened? 

My orange Hibiscus looks fluffy now and produces more buds! - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

A Hibiscus flower is typically a plant that loves planting on the ground. But, for me, it's virtually impossible to grow it on the ground since I live in an apartment. The only option is a pot to raise this flower. Well, it's quite challenging but I would like to try it. So, after bought from the flower and plant shop, my orange Hibiscus bloomed for some time until one day it didn't show any sign of buds. At this point, I trimmed in order to stimulate the growth of the flowers and gave it organic fertilizer. It failed!

More than a year, finally, my partner had an idea to buy fertilizer for bloom. Since then, once every two weeks, I put this special fertilizer to make it blooms! The result is fantastic! After the first fertilizer, I saw the growth of the leaves along its branch. Gradually, my orange Hibiscus produces buds and blooms! 

Nowadays, My orange Hibiscus looks fluffy than before. And now it's 8 weeks and produces buds continuously and attracts Sunbird. Yes, I have 6 pots of Hibiscus Flowers now which two of them are still growing. With those flowers in my "garden", it brings the bird in the garden every day. Start around 8 AM until 5 PM, my "garden" just similar to the feeding station where Sunbird comes and goes from dawn to dusk! 

That's what I did to make my orange Hibiscus blooms again and again. I put a special fertilizer for bloom. And it is not a big deal since the price of one pack of fertilizer (for bloom) only cost around $4. I can use it repeatedly because one plant only needs 1 tea table spoon or 1/2 of tbsp. So, it's quite a cheaper maintenance yet an amazing result. Moreover, I can use it for other Hibiscus plants so that I could provide a food source for the Sunbird. In another word, I create the Sunbird habitat in the apartment!😊

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