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

I Found A Cute Creture in The Car Park: Swinhoe's White-eye

 

Swinhoe's White-eye in the Car Park - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

It's been a while since the last article I published on Ichi's Garden. I have been busy recently with many things so that I could not write a new article. However, I love writing and I want to always share something that I know, my experiences, knowledge, anything that could give a positive mind for others including this topic where I found a cute creature in the car park. I hope it would give you peace of mind and a little smile for your day! 🤗

Swinhoe's White-eye in the car park - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

For the past few days, we have nice weather where the rain comes. The best thing about is that after it over where I can hear birds sing a song continuously. I did not know where was coming from, but for sure that beautiful sound is from the car park. I failed many times to identify the sound and the bird name that dance in the rain. They are tiny creatures, moreover, the color is the same as the leaves. We could not see them clearly.

Swinhoe's White-eye in the car park - Photographed by RDZ

A few days ago, after the heavy rain over, I felt curious when heard the same sound again in the late afternoon. I saw a pack of tiny birds flew and perched from one tree to another in the car park. From our laundry room, I found about 8-12 green tiny birds sung their song and looked happy. I did not know what were they doing, but I assume they ate something from the young leaves. Minute to minute we observe their behavior, some of them just played around, while others just take a rest and groom. What a cute creature that perfectly blends in this residential area. That is why we like the area where we live where I can see the green views from our windows. Furthermore, I can found some birds that live surrounding. 

A beautiful tiny creature: Swinhoe's White-eye - Photographed Acik Mardhiyanti

What I can see is the bird has a white circle on their eyes, and most of their fur is covered with olive green color on the upper part, lower breast and belly is pale grey, while the throat, upper breast, and forehead are yellow in color. My husband said it looked they are wearing glass or masks. I think it is the reason why Malay people call this bird is Kelicap Kacamata Biasa which means the word "Kacamata" is a glass.😅What a funny expression! If you see them, you would say the same thing. I assume the body size may be the same as Sunbird, but it has an almost round shape, I guess.🤔 They are in a pack not single or couple like Sunbirds. This bird is called Swinhoe's White-eye.

A cute creature: Swinhoe's White-eye - Photographed by RDZ

What they eat exactly? Seeing their beak we can identify them eating small things, specifically flowering trees. No wonder, I saw them busy on some particular tree for example Raintree. Last month our town council did trim all the trees in our residential including in the car park. And now that trees, Raintree, Yellow Flame trees, all of them have many young leaves and start flowering again. I think it is the reason why Swinhoe's White-eye bird comes in a pack, gathering to feed on these flowering trees.

Are you able to find Swinhoe's White-eye among those leaves?😍 - Photographed by RDZ

By watching this bird, we can feel some peace in my mind and smile while taking the videos or their pictures. These activities, somehow, become our new hobby. Even we set a camera to record Sunbird that visits my "garden" every day to take nectar from my Hibiscus flower. Well, nowadays, I have 5 pots of Hibiscus flowers! It sounds like a gas station to represent my "garden" because each day, yes, each day at least 4 Sunbirds come to enjoy the food that I serve for them.🥰 Nature is beautiful with the tiny creatures that will make our day is great! How about you? Are you enjoying nature around you and find a sense of peace? 😊

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

Discovering Beautiful Birds Around Our Home

 

White-collared Kingfisher in the car park, what is he doing in the rain?🤔 - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Living in the bustling city would make many people wonder what it looks like living in this busy city, Singapore. We thought that we could not find or feel nature anymore and possibly impossible to find biodiversity when we knew that most of the people here live in an apartment. However, we were wrong! 

I hadn't imagined that after moving to Singapore would find some fresh nature and a greeny view. For me, personally who love flowers and plants, of course, I would be happy if I can do gardening and create a little community for the nature creature for example bird. I  grew up with a beautiful green view surround where I could hear the birds sing a song every day. So, deciding to stay in Singapore was like having a hard deal. However, soon after set my foot here, I amazed by the nature around me. I can't believe that we live in the busier city yet can feel the green scenery!🤗

Olive-backed Sunbird visited my Hibiscus flower - Video by RDZ, picture taken by Acik Mardhiyanti

I wrote about "spring" and "autumn" in Singapore before. In this article, I want to share about colorful birds that live with us in our residential or the block we live in. In general, from our windows, we can see the green view around us and lots of trees and tiny creatures. The first thing when we decided to choose this location was because the flat has a "television" for my cat, Ichi, so she could enjoy her day by looking through the big window. Whenever she saw the bird, she excited, and sometimes we could hear her meow, not meow, almost like a laugh. That was how she express her happiness when the birds caught her eyes. Well, "spring" and "autumn" is the perfect time to see flowering trees and colorful birds around! That is why we like this particular location.

A couple Olive-backed Sunbird in my "garden" - video by RDZ, picture taken by Acik Mardhiyanti

In general, Sunbirds come to my "garden" to feed themself. Yes, now, I have 3 pots of Hisbiscus flower that actively produce buds. And 1 pot Hibiscus is still growing because I trimmed it. In total, I have 4 Hibiscus plants, 2 red colors, 1 dwarf yellow flower, and another is orange color! We often see the Sunbirds make a visit every day whether a couple or single Sunbird! I have another plant that attracts Sunbird, unfortunately, I have failed to identify this plant, still trying...🙄This plant has a tiny pink flower that has a bird shape. So, it is a cute flower! However, We haven't taken a proper Sunbird picture since they are very sensitive to movement. Instantly they fly away once see a human.😐 So, I would just love to watch them perch, play, and feed, on my plants. They are tiny and cute creatures!😍 Just like their name, Olive-backed Sunbird, the Sunbird that stops by in my "garden" has olive color on the back, meanwhile, their other body is yellow. I wonder, how much their weight since I have always seen them easy to perch at the Hibiscus flower.

A beautiful White-collared Kingfisher. Took this picture when we walked around the park - Photographed by RDZ

The other day while preparing our meal I saw White-collared Kingfisher perched on the Yellow Flame tree in the car park. I did not know what this little guy did in the rain. However, I captured some pictures of him. We can also easily found this bird every day if we carefully look at the trees around our residential. The other day on Sunday, we took a walk at the park. Like I mentioned before, our block is a nearby national park. we found 2 White-collared Kingfishers and took their pictures. We just followed their sound and found them! This bird has a distinctive sound that very loud even though has a tiny body. Sometimes we can hear Kingfisher sound in the early morning. Basically, in the morning and evening, they would sing their song! What we love about this bird is the color they have; it is blue and white! I imagine it like aquamarine blue, just like the ocean! Indeed, Kingfisher eats small fish, but they also eat other small living things such as grasshopper and small lizard.

A beautiful Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot - Video: RDZ, picture taken by Acik Mardhiyanti

Our day is also colorful as the next bird we discover around our block. What is it? It is Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot. Like the name blue-crowned; the head has a small round blue color. Male has the bright one, while female their blue-crowned fade away. Male Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot has also had a red mark on their chest. Yes, overall, this parrot has bright green color; I just imagine a rainbow to associate Blue-crowned Hanging parrot color. This bird eats small seeds and fruit. I think there are trees that produce small seeds around here because not only this particular parrot we found here, but also squirrel as well. Lots of squirrels live on the trees around our block. 

A cute squirrel in the park nearby our home - Photographed by RDZ

The next bird that I want to talk about is the shy one, it is Black-naped Oriole. The bird has a bright yellow color and black on the back. I think male and female are very similar in color, but some said the female has yellow color but little green. They stay on the trees that step away from a parking lot. I often see them flying around in the car park from one tree to another. However, they are shy birds, and hard to take their picture even though we often spot them in the parking lot from our kitchen window or laundry room.

Black-naped Oriole in the rain; I wonder what this little guy doing in the rain?🤔 - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

We had a lucky day when could spot Common Falme-back bird from our laundry room! But this bird is hard to spot in our area. However, if we are lucky enough, the day would come! Like in the morning when my husband did an online meeting in the laundry room, he was able to see a Common Flame-back. I think this bird lives around the park. The one that spotted was a male with a reddish crown on the head. Feeding insects is their behavior. 

Lucky enough to spot this little guy; Common Flame-back bird in the park - Photographed by RDZ

Actually, there is lots of pigeon and Myna bird all across Singapore. In our block, we can easily find pigeons and Myna as well because wherever they find food (human food), they would come. These two birds are common in Singapore. The pigeon breeds are faster than others so that makes them in a high population.

Raven in the car park - Photographed by RDZ

Another bird that I spotted in our block is the crow, but I would like to call them raven. The raven is also a part of the birds that live around our residential. My Japanese friend mentioned that the crow color in Singapore is not black shinny but has a brown color. When I walk to the market or other places around, I often spot them in a particular tree nearby. However, they avoid humans.

That's all the beautiful birds that I have discovered around our home. Maybe there are more of them. This is an unexpected event to find beautiful birds that live around us. However, the reality is wonderful and awesome! That is why I call my life is a wonderful journey!

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

"Spring" & "Autumn" in Singapore

 

Yellow Flame in our block car park - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Are you kidding me, spring and autumn in Singapore? Indeed, living in Singapore we only experience a hot day, sweaty a lot, and only have sort of rainy day. To feel spring and autumn, it virtually impossible. However,  we can see "spring" and "autumn" around our neighborhood when the time comes every year.😊

White Trumpet Tree - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

a Male Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot; took this picture and videos from our laundry room - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti and RDZ

For quite some time, we realized our environment around us, observe it, we found something amazing and wonderful that we hadn't imagined before. What is it? Feeling like spring and autumn but still on a hot day, humid, and lots of sweaty. It sounds weird, but when we see the trees around us bloom, some others change their leaves color turn into vivid red and yellow, many beautiful birds fly around, suddenly we can smile and feel peace in our heart. Maybe because I love nature, however, I think lots of people here feel the same. Moreover, we are very, very happy!

"Autumn" in Singapore - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Capturing the moon from our laundry room - Photographed by RDZ

I think the Rain Tree bloomed in early March when I saw many sunbirds flew around that trees in our car park in our residential. The flower color is pink-white that could cover all its big umbrella-shaped crown. This tree is beautiful in my eyes because every time I see it, I just like saw a painting. In the morning, Sunbirds had a big party at this tree, while others stopped by in my "garden" to take nectar in my Hisbiscus flower. I like their announcement when arriving, we even got the opportunity to take videos! I can see the Rain Tree from our window kitchen and laundry room.

a female Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot; taking this picture from our laundry room - Photographed by RDZ

Yellow Flame in our block - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

a female Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot in the car park - Photographed by RDZ

a Male Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot; they are a couple who build a family and has a nest on the Yellow Flame Tree in the car park where we live - Photographed by RDZ and Acik Mardhiyanti

Another amazing tree is called Yellow Flame. We can see it in our block car park as well. These trees are still flowering now and easy to caught our eyes since the flower is bright yellow. Is not only Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot that uses this tree as their nest to build a family, but the fruit also attracts the squirrel. Yes, we can see this beautiful green small parrot along with White-collared Kingfisher birds! How about the squirrel? Believe me, there are lots of squirrels in our neighborhood that we could easy to spot them. We can see this beautiful bright yellow flower from March to May and September to November! So, I would be ready to capture this moment!

White-collared Kingfisher in the car park - Photographed by RDZ

At the same time, here in my neighborhood, I can have a chance to catch autumn from other countries when Malayan Crape Myrtle Trees turn their leaves into yellow or vivid red/ red. The question is why they turn their leaves color? The regular leaves of this particular tree are green, but, when the temperature cooler which means the rainfall level is higher, those weather activities speed up the shedding process, so that we can see yellow and red/ vivid red leaves here, just like autumn.

Malayan Crape Myrtle Tree in our neighborhood - Photographed by RDZ

While Yellow Flame Tree, Rain Tree, and Malayan Crape Myrtle Tree are showing off their beauty, Trumpet Tree also gives the best moment by showing pink and white its flower. When we see it, instantly feeling like spring in another country. I captured some pictures of Trumpet Trees from our front door. The flower color is white, however, the most popular one is pink that we could find in our neighborhood. By enjoying this beauty, we can't believe that we are in Singapore. Many people call it "Sakura" in Singapore.

Crown in car park; took this picture from our laundry room - Photographed by RDZ

Sunbird visited my "garden" - Photographed RDZ & Acik Mardhiyanti

I also found the Penda tree that blooms at the same time. When it blooms, the bird would come. What kind of birds is that? They are Sunbird, Myna, or Javan Myna. I spotted one Myna and captured the pictures! No wonder that the Sunbird hasn't visited my "garden" for some time to take the nectar of Hibiscus flower because they have lots of food sources out there. That is why I hear their party in this tree along with Myna's song. 

Penda Tree and Myna; took this picture from our front door - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

That's how beautiful our environment around our block. I remember before moved to Singapore, to be honest, I was worried that we could not feel nature again because what had I know about Singapore was a busy and bustling city. But I amazed that I still feel nature, beautiful green view, and even feel "spring" and "autumn" here! Moreover, I found and spot some pretty and beautiful birds that I haven't seen before from the place I came from. So, besides spotting Sunbird, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, White-collared Kingfisher, we also see Crow and The common Flameback or Goldenback bird, Black-naped Oriole, and Asian Koel bird! Actually, there are many more birds in our neighborhood!

Capturing this picture of The common Flameback bird in our block from our laundry room - Photographed by RDZ

Even though we live in an HBD apartment and bustling city (people call it), we still connect with nature and find the wild creatures and live with us in a common resident. Furthermore, I can create a mini "garden" and planting Hibiscus to attract Sunbird. It is my wonderful life! 

Yellow Flame Tree in our block - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

My new article on Ichi's Fusion Recipes; Fried Selar fish: here is the link https://ichi-recipes.blogspot.com/2021/03/quick-simple-and-tasty-recipe-fried.html

See you in my other article, bye for now!

Note:

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

 

The Challenge of growing The Oxalis Plant in the Apartment

 

Oxalis plant in my "garden" on a rainy day - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Look at that picture above? I like the leaf's shape and color! Yes, it is my Oxalis plant or you can call it Oxalis Triangualris purple leaf.

The first time I saw the Oxalis plant maybe 8 years ago when one of my neighbors showed me the plant that she called "Butterfly" plant because of the leaf's shape. Wow, I was falling in love at first sight with this beautiful plant! I hadn't seen a plant like that before even if I planted a bunch of flowers and plants in my father's garden and yards. I didn't know the name of that plant. My neighbor was no idea what was the name either. The intriguing thing was when she said the leaves will close in the evening. So, the leaves have responded to light, opening during the day, and closing at low light (evening/ night) where the leaflets fold at the level of the central vein. What a unique plant! 

Oxalis in my "garden" - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

After moving from one place to another, about 2 years ago I bought a purple Oxalis plant at a flower shop nearby. The reason why I chose Oxalis because of the position of my corridor that I could say difficult to grow some flowers that I had always grown before such as Sunflower, Marigold, Portulaca, chili, Coleus, et cetera. Even I had lost some of the plants or flowers that I already planted before. Therefore, I needed to figure out what kind of flower or plant has possible growing in my new "garden" space. So, I tried to grow Oxalis that is said could grow in shade sun. It fits with my "garden."

Struggling from direct sunlight, but they survived! - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

However, the sun's position changes twice a year which means there is a time when direct sunlight has a chance to reach my "garden."  Growing flowers in this spot are really challenging. But I do not know the result if I haven't tried. So, I bought and grew purple Oxalis. For the first a few months when the sunlight did not reach it, the plant had been growing wonderful and healthy until someday the sunlight struck it directly. That time my Oxalis plant gradually had shown unhappiness and died.😥 

My Oxalis: some of the leaves damage because of direct sunlight, but others are still pretty - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Before coronavirus year, I bought purple Oxalis again and planted it in the same pot, and place it in the same spot. I thought it would die like before when the sunlight reaches them. Surprisingly, this time, my Oxalis plant survives even if some of the leaves damages. But it still there and produces lots of flowers than before. I have had this plant for a year now!🤗

The interesting question is what happened to my old Oxalis, why didn't survive meanwhile my new Oxalis can adapt even has many flowers? I think the first reason was that I didn't know much about the Oxalis plant. Overwatering, overfertilizing, is just one of the reasons why my old Oxalis died. Moreover, I hadn't observed much about my "new" garden space that completely different from my corridor before. The position of my corridor which is where my "garden" took a place, will determine what types of plants or flowers can grow. Furthermore, a new plant means I have to observe them whether they suit or not in my little "garden." Not only that, I need to learn about Oxalis habit, for example, dormancy. I thought only some animals will have this habit. It sounds weird but Oxalis has a dormant time where the leaves closed for some time and then reopen again. This is something new for me. My old Oxalis showed this period and I didn't know about it. As result, I kept watering every day because I was worried it would die and needed more water. And I made a mistake, I should have let it for some time and it would be fine. 

Some leaves damaged but they are still looking for the sun and face it! - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

The Oxalis that I have now is much more struggling, I assume because direct sunlight hits its leaves and damages them. Luckily, somehow this plant survive. I do not water it every day. I also do not give it fertilizer frequently like before. Last year when we were in a tight situation, I did not do any gardening activities which is I just let my plant without any maintenance, including Oxalis. 

Even though some of the leaves damage, but it has lots of flowers - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

What I have been learned is that I do not need to give organic fertilizer to my Oxalis if my pot soil has compost in it. Watering just sometimes and depends on the weather. How do I know when my Oxalis need water? I check the soil before give it water. If the soil is completely dry then it is time for watering. Sometimes once a week.  However, in the rain season, most of my plants get enough water from the rainwater, except some plants like Hibiscus; it needs water every day. However, it depends on the soil that I use for my Hibiscus.

So, technically, I put my Oxalis outdoor. I wish I have a spot indoors that perfect to grow Oxalis. However, the flat that we live in has not such a "luxury" spot to grow plants indoors. Hopefully, my Oxalis will survive until next year. 

After suffering from hot weather, my Oxalis was happy when the rain came! - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

It challenges tasks for someone who wants to create a garden in an apartment where they live. Not easy, but give up is not my personality. That's me, I am a persistent person. I can't live without growing flowers and plants. They are a part of my life. Growing Oxalis in my "garden" is challenging. But I want to try to get the experiences that will make me a better gardener someday.😊

See you in the next article. Happy gardening!🖐😉

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

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