Garden of Alden

One-Day Wonder

This gumamela came out last week. Predictably, the flower lasted for just a day. Maybe because it is large and heavy, it doesn't last long.

We did enjoy it while it was still there.

This large thorny plant hasn't had any flowers for years... until I happened to put eggshells on its "tentacles." I thought it would look distinctive with the eggshells, which also covered the thorns well, protecting the children when they play near the plant.

Now this column at its center has sprouted out. It promises to be a flower. Can't wait to see it!

Having unwittingly proven the value of eggshells as a fertilizer, J asked me to buy loads of eggs, and friends began collecting eggshells from restaurants for him. He then put the eggshells on our orchids and plants, everywhere in the garden. It's funny :-)

Hope his scheme works and all our plants begin blooming :-)

I was in front of my computer when Rajni, in a voice tremulous with excitement, came running to show me she's holding a dragonfly!

She was having late breakfast in the garden. Or rather, her nanny was chasing after her, doing the unenviable job of trying to feed her with food other than hotdog, Spam or bacon. (When her meal consists of one of these, Raj sits down without a fight and eats on her own.)

That is to explain, in the most roundabout way, why Raj has food on her chin. But who cares, she's holding a dragonfly! I don't think I did that when I was a child. Now we regularly "hunt" for the poor insect in our garden. Not that I am able to catch one myself, ever.

:-)

This must be the world's saddest-looking birdhouse. It's so forlorn that no bird dares come near it. :-)

Raj and Alden, my two lovable monsters, smiling for the camera.

And now they're ... doing a sun-worshipping ritual?

This may not look much but it's one of my favorites in the garden. Rajni, my 7-year-old daughter who, true to her name, looks like an (Asian) Indian, and I had an avocado snack, and afterwards planted the seed in an empty pot. I didn't think it would grow, but here it is now, after about a month of planting. When it grows into a tall avocado tree, I will look back and remember our wonderful time together.

I forgot the name of these hanging plants. I fondly call them Bob Marleys.

This little pagoda stands guard in one corner of our humble garden

A water lotus. This one survived strong winds and heavy rains.

This is an okna plant, originally from Australia. So said the salesman in the nursery. I never heard of oknas before.

Locals nickname it the "Mickey Mouse plant." I think "Winnie the Pooh" is more appropriate.

See the Pooh bears clinging on the branches? Very cute :-)

Many hobbyists here are crazy about Euphorbia flowers. The flowers change from yellow to green and pink.

But I'm not really an Euphorbia fan.

An orange rose, supposedly. I took this picture with the wrong settings on my digicam so it came out weird-looking. But I like it just the same.

Another Vanda Sanderiana. Locally, the flower (and plant) is called "Waling-waling." Some websites claim it is a vanishing and endangered species. It is larger than most orchids. Looks regal.