Daily Cut Flowers

Outside, Inside

2009-07-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

Early this morning, I took time to walk around the garden in Kuching and did a couple of clearing up job at the side garden especially areas along the south fence. My efforts were rewarded well. The Blood Banana ( Musa zebrina) at the front garden seems to grow into a beautiful small clump now( see inset). I have constantly been watching its growth to ensure that any unruly adventure by the clump to surrounding areas be checked in time.

Below can be seen two pictures showing some of the planting details I incorporated to provide initially a green and colourful screen to the black metal fencing material. With my secateurs in hand and in rapid succession I took cuttings of young blood banana leaves, the multi-painted coleus leaves, the pendulous red bracts of the 'Firecrackers' ( Heliconia rostrata) , parrot flowers and finally the pink hybrid canna. I placed all of them inside a glass container that's was being held inside a tiny 'tambuk' or the local Bidayuh basket. Then I had them inserted inside a special decorative piece - a lamp shade, to hold the plants together for the show.

I made two versions for today's arrangement. One is for outside and the other for an inside arrangemment. Am I lost for a title? Well, guess what my mind said just now....Colour Outside, Colour Inside.

At the centre of attraction is the Dracaena marginata 'tricolour', being greeted by the parrot flower amidst a chorus of coleus and spider lily.

The 'Firecrackers' ( Heliconia rostrata ) and parrot flowers in the background .

Arrangement # 148

Outside Version

Inside Version

Hail to the Heliconias

2009-06-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

Today's pictures were taken in Bintulu and I'm posting them from Kuching. The reason being, I was too busy with preparations to go to Kuching that little time was available to prepare for this post in Bintulu.

Today ( 1st July) I'm back in Kuching after a month long stay in Bintulu.

Today's show comes in a progression. I have used three types of heliconias. Stage 1 - the yellow bracts of parrot flower is set against the green leaves of the lady's palm. Stage 2 - the green tips and orange colours of the Heliconia latispatha join the crowd. Stage 3 - the red 'Firecrackers' ( Heliconia rostrata) finally tops the show.

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3 - as the final arrangement.....Arangement # 147.....Hail to the Heliconias.

Wild and Pasionate

2009-06-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

Today the Trumpet Flower ( Bignonia magnifica) were in rich splendour as they reach over the aviary and onto the adjacent trees. I would like to team them with the colourful leaves of the Blood Banana. The purple flowers and dark red spots of the wild banana leaves seems to hold on to each other well, I thought.

For a simple arrangement I would name it.....Wild and Passionate.

Arrangement # 146

Pure white and common?

2009-06-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Is the Common Gardenia so common? Try to search for it in towns and there's a 90% chance that you'll hardly see it at all now. I used to see them in abundance in the sixties in village compounds or town houses. These days you'll be thankful if you can stumble upon one. For that reason I have planted scores of this shrub at my farm to keep it in ready stock. I plant it mainly for its scented pure white flowers and its dark green leaves.

Arrangement # 145

I have tried to keep the theme fresh and green today. Thus I have matched the pure white flowers of the Common Gardenia ( Gardenia jasminoides) with eye- relaxing green colours of young 'pandan' leaves. Would love to name this composition simply .........Fresh, Young and Pure.

Red Lobster's Claws

2009-06-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

I was thinning out some bushes at the vegetation island today when I bumped into a clump of heliconia strictas or red lobster's claws. The pleasant encounter gave me ideas for today's display.

Arrangement # 144

I was thinking if only these were real lobster's claws they would not stand a chance to look pretty. Probably will end at the cooking pot. Well, man or woman, cannot live by bread alone. Often we need need aesthetics to recognise God's majesty. So today I rest my soul in the warmth of nature's love as I am feeling pleased that my attempt to grow heliconias here as wild as possible has succeeded to surprise me. Without further ado, I say why not call this composition...S u c c e s s.

Saturday Matinee

2009-06-20T04:07:00.000-07:00

Early this morning I was happy to notice the Creamfruit ( Roupellia grata) plant showing off its white flowers ( see inset). This plant was bought from Kuching a couple of months ago. When pruned the plant seems to grow into a beautiful shrub and may exhibit a climbing habit if left unchecked. To match it I gathered as many flowers and colourful bracts as I could.

On the list are the heliconias ( 4 varieties), gardenia ( 2 varieties) and the lilium or pink lily hybrid. Today's special I thought. Make the composition as colourful and striking as possible.

Arrangement # 143

Today being a Saturday, I would like to name the composition as ...Saturday Matinee.

A Lady Blushing

2009-06-19T03:25:00.000-07:00

There is so much of fragrance, sweet fragrance in the air today. I see the common gardenia or Cape Jasmine ( Gardenia jasminoides) and the Plumeria rubra var.acutifoloia throwing their scent to the wind. How could I miss this opportunity? Below is a closer view of the plumeria having smaller sized white petals flushed with yellow in the centre.

Like the gardenia, plumerias flower continuously. Their bunchy flowers are eye-catching .

Arrangement # 142

Having gathered the flowers of the gardenia and plumeria, I placed them inside a glass vase. To add greenery I threw in the variegated leaves of cordyline or 'Ti" plant as they are known in Hawaii. The pink colours of Lilium would provide much sparkle to the show. What would you say to a pretty girl in yellow, pink and white ? ......I would say "Wow, You're Pretty."

Colourful Bracts

2009-06-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

In Bintulu now. After spending a month in Kuching we miss the garden flowers here. Thus early this morning I made cuttings of heliconias, alpinias and crotons. They were a magnificient show. Alpinias are ornamental gingers that like semi-shade and its roots love rich and moist soil conditions. A favourite of mine is the Red Ginger ( Alpinia purpurata) due to its attractive red or scarlet bracts. Today I saw one inflorescence with a number of plantlets from which I normally propagate the plant apart from the usual way of splitting the rhizomes from the mother plant to mutiply its numbers.

Then I noticed the new variety of heliconia which I brought from Kuching a few months ago producing red and yellow bracts different from others in my collection so far. I have yet to find the common name for this species ( see below).

Today I attempt to make a composition in three stages as illustrated below.

Arrangement # 141 ( in 3 stages)

After adding three varieties of heliconias to the single red ginger I find the display lacking in accent. Thus I added the multi-coloured, variegated, curled and twisted leaves of the croton.

I am settled for this simple composition and glasly name it .... Brilliant Bracts.

Two Hearts

2009-06-04T04:11:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 140

The south garden is shaping up well. Today I made a cutting of the scarlet inflorescence of the Costus woodsonii ( see picture to the right). The scarlet cones can last for a week or more and thus ideal as cut flowers. Then I saw a blooming red rose. It matched well with the scarlet colour of the costus. Without thinking further I plunged both of them inside yesterday's glass vase and thus recycled yesterday's variegated leaves of the Ctenanthe pilosa. It interesting to see the leaves still looking fresh today. Such a simple and fast composition deserves a rapid title I think.....Two Hearts

Full of Luck - Sepenuh-penuhnya!

2009-05-31T00:09:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 139

THe Malays call the Eurcyles amboinensis plant as 'Sepenuh' and is said to bring good luck especially when it flowers. Eurcyles amboinensis is also known as Proiphys amboinensis. For one thing it is difficult to flower. Conditions must be ideal. That must be it for the last one week!. The weather in Kuching was hot yet it rained almost all evenings and there again was accompanied with thunder and lots of lightning effects. Thus I have been enjoying the white flowers of this beautiful tropical lily plant. Its wide heart-shaped leaves are dark green and glossy. I managed to propagate about ten now vegetatively i.e. splitting its tubers. Today I decided to team it up with the magical white and green leaves of the Ctenanthe pilosa which is slowly growing into a big clump. The Ctenanthe is related to the 'maranta' and ' calathea' species.

Today's composition look clean and simple, and would just call it....Plain Lucky.

Lovely Pink and Orange Flowers

2009-05-25T22:55:00.000-07:00

Today I noticed the cannas are looking good. Since about two months ago I have collected two varieties that I think are excellent for their colours and dwarf-like qualities. They are the pink and orange variety. Cannas love manure as fertiliser and since last month ago the heavy application has done a good job of producing healthy plants with stalks in heavy flowering as can be seen in the picture below.
Thus I had in mind early in the morning to make cuttings of them for today's display. What other plants should I add to the company? The brown bracts of the Calathea lutea looked wonderful to match with the brown vase. Then while walking around for another candidate the fragrant flowers of the pink frangipani stole my senses. In they go. The inset shows the brown vase displayed at the front garden.

View of South Garden (the front portion) with orange canna hybrid in the foreground.

Today, like most days of April and May the weather in Kuching is hot and sunny though it is very likely to rain here in the afternoon even in light showers. It does rain mostly at night too and all these occasional rains have made the plants this month healthy and strong. Other plants that are growing profusely in the garden right now are the multi-coloured foliage of the coleus of which I have collected about 12 varieties so far. Collecting these varieties in Kuching is not a problem at all because the flower market at Satok Sunday market has abundant supplies of them. This is peculiarly Kuching and is probably due to the fact that there are many protocol activities in Kuching that require ornamental plants for official functions. ( Note the colourful coleus foliage towards left of the pink canna above)

Arrangement # 138

In the above picture I have display the arrangement indoors.
The overall effect is lovely. Therefore would name this composition...Colour me Lovely.

Red Fountains in the Sunset

2009-05-24T04:04:00.000-07:00

The various colours that are seen at the front garden is something to be admired. Hues of orange, red, yellow, white, brown and pink are in harmony with one another. Of special interest today is the deep brown colour of the fountain grass ( Pennisetum setaceum ). I've made some cuttings of its inflorescence from the front garden just now, and will marry it to cuttings of the spiral red flag ( Costus woodsonii ) , pink canna hybrid and the red lobster claw ( Heliconia stricta ).
It was just a few months ago that I started to plant the fountain grass in my garden mainly for its colour and of course its magnificent inflorescence's (resembling long fountain sprays) that are produced daily.

Arrangement # 137

The reddish brown colours of the fountain sprays, red lobster claws , scarlet cones of the spiral red flag and the pink canna petals seem to blush in a glowing atmosphere. The colours remind me of an evening sunset and therefore name today's composition ....Red Fountains in the Sunset....( Sounds familiar?)

At the south garden, closer to the fence I have also planted a small cluster of the fountain grass which is barely seen at the middle ground of the picture above.

Canna Stop Loving You

2009-05-20T20:10:00.000-07:00

There are three varieties of cannas that I grow in my Kuching garden right now. There are in colours of pink, red and orange. Today I have just made a cutting of the pink canna. With a little bit of help from the two reliable heliconia varieties viz heliconia stricta and latispatha, a simple composition is done.
Would like to name it..... Canna Stop Loving You.

Arrangement # 136

Hot on Heels

2009-04-04T04:20:00.000-07:00

It was an interesting afternoon just now. I walked through my collection of heliconias at the Heliconia Valley area at my eco-farm here in Bintulu. The red hot 'lobster claws' (Heliconia stricta) sent an appealing look I couldn't resist. I had planted many varieties of heliconias here and many have established and attuned themselves to the environment that they are able to provide me with dozens of colourful bracts on daily basis. A respectful tropical garden should now have at least 10 species due to the fact that most varieties are easily obtainable from many nurseries or flower markets in Sarawak. The good point about the Heliconia stricta is that it has a long shelf-life. Secondly being heliconias they attract wildlife like the humming birds or the sun birds which sip their nectar or eat their tiny fruits.

Arrangement # 135

Today I was very occupied with work on my nexart exhibition. The strong colours of the Heliconia strictas stimulated me to express my eagerness and determination to make the show a success . I've less than 27 weeks to do so. In quick successive steps I plucked and make cuttings of the Red Hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Red Ginger ( Alpinia purpurata),Parrot Flower( Heliconia psittacorum) and lastly the striking Heliconia 'Sassy Pink'. My mind ran so fast that before I finished the composition, the title just kept on flashing my grey matter....Hot on Heels.

The Geisha

2009-04-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

I was taking a walk at one of the vegetation islands behind my chalet yesterday. I noticed a clump of Licuala palm ( Licuala spinosa) in its prime best. I took a stalk of its broad fan-shaped leaves for the day's cut flower composition.

Licuala palms grow best in humid and filtered light with rich humus cover for its roots. As such they are ideal plants under a forest canopy but not in potty environment. At my farm I find that the tallest ones are now reaching 4 meters. Locals here use the leaves to wrap food or thatch them to make sleeping mats or sun hats.

Their wedge-shaped leaves look fresh and deep jungle green in colour. To provide a refreshing contrast to the composition I add two stalks of the frangipani or plumeria flowers ( Plumeria obtusa).I like to use them for they are scented and the flowers will last for a couple of days when other buds slowly open up to the world. By cutting the leaves edges in a staggered formation I achieve the effect of movement.. The plumeria flowers being white and gentle in colour like the lily indicate gracefulness and the green leaves connotes growth . The slender glass vase and the outspread leaves look like a Japanese geisha in kimono. Thus, today's composition is called......The Geisha.

Red Ginger, Red Ti and Heliconias

2009-03-06T04:36:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 133

Having arrived Bintulu safely after a ten hours journey from Kuching by road on the 3rd of March, I felt inspired to do a little composition to indicate the free abundance of red colours in our garden today. From a clump of red ginger ( Alpinia purpurata) I cut a stalk of brilliant red terminal bracts arranged like a parasol. Next on the list were the heliconias, particularly the heliconia stricta with four emerging red lobster claw-like bracts and the orangy red heliconia latispatha with its characteristic green tips. To hold them firm in the glass vase I sandwitched the pastel red young leaves of the Cordyline terminalis or Red Ti and two variegated wild banana leaves ( Musa Hirta) . Since the materials were close at hand it took me less than 15 minutes to finish the composition. Fully satisfied, I call this arrangement....Welcome Back.

Parrot flower, Firebrand and Red Ginger

2009-03-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

What would you do if your eyes are feasted by the young leaves of Red Ti ( Cordyline terminalis) and the superb yellow and light pink bracts of the Parrot flower ( Heliconia psittacorum) ? Amazed, I quickly run my thoughts on a composition that could display such vibrancy yet simple to compose.

First I fold up the Red Ti leaves ( sometimes referred to as 'Firebrand') and plunge them into the vase. Four of these fitted in just nicely into the small squarish glass vase. Next I inserted a long stalk of the Parrot flower and firmed it upright. I thought for a simple composition that would do. Some would pronounce it as minimalist. Less is more. However to add to today's glowing show I threw in the terminal infloresences of a Red Ginger ( Alpinia purpurata ) plant that grew nearby.

Arrangement # 132

My feelings swung upbeat. Yes, it is confirmed now that Red Ti leaves are a staple for the kambatik style floral arrangement. But they must be essentially young to exhibit its vibrant and luminous red colours. For today's composition , the blood in me says.....Call Me Hot.

Pink flower plants

2009-02-28T06:29:00.000-08:00

It has been a while, a long time really since I last posted in this blog. I am back at it again and this time around it gets restarted from Kuching. Our Kuching garden is shaping up slowly as can be seen from the images here. On the left the pink frangipani blooms
are a real treat to the eyes. This plant stock was taken from Bintulu when I first started to landscape the house garden here way back in 2007.

The red hibiscus and the sassy pink heliconia join to make a crowd. Since they are showing their best this morning, I'll make them the focus of today's show.

Arrangement # 131

Pinkgression 1 - the three pink sisters seem comfortable in the long glass vase. Just cut from the garden and looking fresh they all look pretty but there isn't the scent of a woman.

Pinkgression 2 - The fragrant pink frangipani blooms get introduced to the crowd. All seems to be part of the puzzle except one flower that takes a humble seat downstairs. For an excellent show in the pink of health I call this compsosition......Pretty Ladies in Pink.

CU of the composition from a bird's eye view.

A Vibrant New Year

2009-01-05T18:35:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 130

The general theme of today's show is red, produced by the somewhat vibrant reddish colours of the heliconia bracts and the fiery red ginger. Added as well is the yellow bract of heliconia 'lobster claw'. I find now that the very young leaves of the Red Ti ( cordyline terminalis) to be a useful if not a definitive foliage for tropical cut flowers. How I treat the heliconia sassy pink is easy these days. Its long pendulous inflorescences can just be coiled and sunk into the glass vase.
For a vibrant show, I call the above composition... A Vibrant New Year.

K I S S

2009-01-03T04:08:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 129

This is my first posting for the new year. My theme today is K I S S. Keep it simple, yet stylish.

One of the many plants species that grow abundantly over at my eco-farm here in Bintulu is the fragrant screwpine ( Pandanus odorus) which has a scent much sought after by big industries. The species of fragrant screwpine's extract are used for aroma in flavouring cakes, syrup, biscuits, bread etc. It is also used to flavour rice like in chicken rice. Here I used the aromatic leaves for structure .

To match its fragrance I chose the heady scented white ginger lily ( hedychium coronarium). Its soft satiny white petals provides a striking contrast against the pandan fresh green leaves.

That's it. It's so simple, I call this composition... K I S S .

White Ginger and 'Sepenuh'

2008-12-14T16:59:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 128

For a rapid composition try a cutting of the 'sepenuh' (eurycycles amboirensis ) with white ginger ( hedychium coroncarium) .

It is so....SLEEK.

White Sails of the Spathiphyllum

2008-12-13T16:15:00.000-08:00

On returning home to Bintulu last Friday, I noticed the spathiphyllum'Mauna Loa' by my back door showed two inflorescences. Spathiphyllum can be found in tropical America though there are certain species that are native to Malaysia. Sometimes called the 'Peace Lily'or 'White Sails', it has very glossy dark green leaves.

Arrangement #

For today's composition I had the spathiphyllum, hybrid cannas and the fiery red ginger join the crowd.
Lastly, for scents I added in a spray of white ginger lily. Glad to have arrived Bintulu after an 11 hours journey on Friday evening, I dedicate this composition to....Happy to be back, Bintulu.

Eurycycles amboirensis(Li) & Hedychium coronarium

2008-12-10T16:26:00.000-08:00

When I arrived Kuching on the 1st of this month, I have observed that the plants at the front portion of our garden were growing luxuriantly. Two species that stole my eyes were the white ginger lily ( Hedychium coronarium) and the 'Bunga Sepenuh' ( Eurcycles amboirensis ) as shown in the foreground of the picture below.

I love the Bunga Sepenuh for its broad heart- shaped leaves. I plant them close and let them form into an understorey. However the best part of planting this species is the waiting game for its flowers. Below I capture 4 days of successive flowering.

On the fourth day I decided to cut it for today's floral display.

Well, next to this Sepenuh plant is the white ginger lily with its satiny white colours and typical butterfly-like petals.

Impressed by the white and green colours of the flowers as well at their leaves, I decided to do a composition in white & green. I placed the display against a piece of Kelantanese 'songket' cloth.

Arrangement # 126

Simply said....A Composition in White and Green.

Coleus, Pink Frangipani and Costus

2008-12-08T02:35:00.000-08:00

This is the fifth variety of coleus that I have in my Kuching garden right now. Coleus plants with its very colourful leaves are a respite to the evergreeness of our tropical gardens and I think they are a must to be planted . Other species that can give the masses of colour to our Kambatik garden are like the caladium, cordyline, psederanthemum, irisine, pisonia and mussaenda among a few.

Arrangement # 125

Here three varieties of the coleus ( solenostemon scutellarioides ) are placed inside a glass vase which is hidden by the mini 'tambuk' . The red terminal bracts of the costus woodsonii are added in to add variety. Finally I add perfumery to the display by throwing in the flowers of the pink frangipani ( plumeria rubra).
Surprised at the rich variety of colours I name the composition....Magic Colours.

Colourful Coleus leaves and Jasmine flowers

2008-12-07T01:14:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 124

My Kuching garden is slowly shaping up. Before we left for Bintulu last October, I had planted four varieties of the coleus ( Solenostemon scutellarioides ) which I bought from the Satok Sunday market. I noticed they are in their best looks today. Among the Malays the plant is called 'Bunga Ati-Ati'. They plant them for their multi-coloured variegated leaves more than for its flowers. They have 4-angled stems with small flowers and toothed edges. Planted in pots they are beautiful decorative plants for official functions. Coleus are native to this region ( South East Asia). Now you are likely to see more varieties appearing at the market place due to the fact that this plant is a favourite among hybriders who constantly try to produce new cultivars.

The coleus I chose above has dark maroon and red colours. Then to add contrast I plucked three flowering stems of the white jasmine flowers (jasminum multiflorum) .

Finally I like to name the above composition as ....Coleus in Contrast

Ixora coccinea,Heliconias and Variegated Cordyline

2008-12-04T06:37:00.000-08:00

I was extremely glad to notice that the plants at our front garden in Kuching were doing well in our one month absence. The Ixora coccinea shrub was at its best,very showy with orange flowers in a tight and compact form.

Arrangement # 123

But then as I moved around the garden which is very much 'in progress', I found that I could use the heliconias to good effect this time around. In goes the Heliconia psittacorum and Heliconia latispatha. To add artistry to the show I threw in two leaves of the variegated cordyline terminalis which have red colours around the edges of the leaf.

Having arrived Kuching in the best of spirits, I call the above composition...Kuching Melody.

About Bracty Beauties

2008-11-27T16:52:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 122

The month of November is very wet in this part of the world. As a result many types of flowering shrubs will not be in their best. Thus it is good to have a mixture of plants that do well in the rainy months as well as the hot and sunny periods when the rains are less frequent. One such species is the heliconias. Today I did not see any good blooms except those of the heliconias. Therefore I scouted for the parrot flowers ( heliconia psittacorum) and found two varieties. One close relative , the heliconia latispatha with its green tips exhibited herself very well and I thought why not? I had the sassy pink twist around the rest of the orange and yellow bracts and finally let the sassy pink terminal bract come out straight from the glass vase while the rest of the company followed in unison. To add more lustre and warmth to the display, I added the Red Ti ( cordyline terminalis) leaves which I rolled back to give a certain artistry to the show. "Wait", cried the the banana terminal bracts of which I had two varieties. One in pink and the other in deep purple. They too joined today's composition as added interest. It is a day of bright colours and hues despite the gloomy overcast of November. Thus the title of today's composition.....Bracty Beauties.

Red Ginger, Red Ti , Sassy Pink and Seven Golden Candlesticks

2008-11-26T06:03:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 121

I like the glow of the Red Ginger,

The attractive leaf of Red Ti,

Orange bracts of Seven Candlesticks,

The pink of Sassy Heliconia,

Together in a posy,

With ripe colours of rambutan,

And the hot spicy chilli.

I name today's composition... Warm Feeling.

The Brilliant Yellow Allamandas

2008-11-25T03:04:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 120

What is so special about allamandas? They have large yellow trumpet-like flowers ( Allamanda cathartica) , looking golden and confident at any time of the day. They are free flowering here in the tropics of course. They form bunchy flowers that if planted en masse are indeed eye catching. Despite their attractive appeal, allamandas aren't scented. But never mind. On my way back to the farm this afternoon after sending my worker off from work, I pushed the brake pedal hard to stop next to an allamanda shrub which was in full flowering and enjoyed a moment of life's precious offering. I took the secateur ( which I always keep one in my car just in case) and right away made seven cuttings.

Back at the chalet I took a brown clay vase and carefully pushed them into its large mouth. There you are. No pretense. Plain yellow flowers and a matching round short vase did the trick. Much pleased with the presentation, today's title shortly zapped across my grey matter.......Golden Brilliance.

Further notes:

There are four kinds of yellow-flowered allamandas in Malaysia and one special kind that has mauve flowers( allamanda violacea) To me allamandas make great cut flowers especially when their leaves are kept intact, thus providing much freshness to the display and green contrast to the bright yellow flowers. They are very easy to propagate. Just make a cutting from its woody branch. Plant them at sunny locations of your garden.

The Glow of Plumeria Obtusa flowers

2008-11-24T08:32:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 119

The large white flowers of the plumeria or Great Frangipani ( plumeria obtusa) stood elegantly above its green glossy leaves had me captivated as I walked pass them in my garden today. A small breeze made them sway in the wind. I looked at them twice, thrice and decided to make them the subject of today's display.

I held the flowers' stalk firmly inside the small glass vase by wrapping the stalk with the Red Ti ( cordyline terminalis ) leaves as if it was clad in a 'sarong'. The Red Ti leaves stole much limelight from the pure white and silky colours of the plumeria. Therefore to soften its strong fiery presence I added in the stiff orange and lighter red bracts of the parrot flowers ( heliconia psittacorum).

To conclude today's presentation I name the composition...Glow with Me.

Wild Banana leaves, Red Ti ,Heliconia latispatha and Ixoras

2008-11-22T04:45:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 118

I have today met two variegated leaves that inspired me to do today's presentantion. First, the wild banana leaves of the musa violascens and the light red to red and dark bronze leaves of the Red Ti ( cordyline terminalis) In order to match the flaming image of the Red Ti, in goes the dark orange to pastel red of the heliconia latispatha bracts and flowers ( slightly hidden). I still keep yesterday's fan -shaped leaf of the licuala grandis and made it to wrap half of today's materials. The licuala or fan palm leaf are green and plaited and toothed along the edge. Nowadays it is remarkably easy to propagate this species from seeds because being popular as a tropical short palm it is made very available in many a decent nursery.

To provide a middle focus to the display, I added the jungle geranium ( Ixora coccinea ) with its small scarlet tubular flowers in a ball-like cluster. Another species I collected today is the Ixora chinensis var. lutea, having light yellow tubular flowers.

Having had the variegated wild banana leaves as a backdrop to the brilliant red and oranges in front, I reckon the best title for today's composition is....Jungle Flame

Purple Bignonia, White Caladium and Red Ti

2008-11-21T06:24:00.000-08:00

Waking up early today, my spirits were lifted when I saw these purple flushes of the bignonia magnifica. Its bell-shaped mauve pink flowers were a good morning gesture after the heavy rains at pre-dawn over by my eco-farm. Here I have planted them close to the aviary and trained them to climb over it for shade and much needed colour.

Then this spectacular leaf of the white caladium ( caladium X candidum ) had me excited over the opportunity of teaming it with the bignonia blooms. This caladium is exceedingly big i.e. about 40 cm long and 30 cm wide. Its pure white leaf with green veins is a beauty in contrast.

Below are the stages of today's composition.

Arrangement # 117

With the help of the showy and bright light red leaves of the Red Ti ( cordyline terminalis) I have accentuated the ambience around the mauve pink colours of the bignonia to a higher level of brightness. Then I used the leaf of the licuala palm as table mat for the glass bowl which is hidden by the white caladium leaf. In this particular instance I have sunk the center of the caladium leaf into the glass bowl together with the bignonia blooms and Red Ti leaves.

Feeling happy and pleased, I name this composition...Today's Brightness.

You are My Family- Clerodendrum

2008-11-20T03:44:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 115

This is a tale of two clerodendrum species which I have ready stock at my garden. First the climbing species with its white calyces and blood-red corollas called the Bleeding Heart Vine ( Clerodendrum thomsonae).

In the above display I have included the slightly older calyces which appear dull pink in colour but nevertheless attractive to me because they stay for months on the stems before they die away looking brown. The Bleeding Heart vine comes from West Africa. In the above presentation, I have teamed up the orange bracts of the parrot flower ( heliconia psittacorum ) and the red hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) to the bleeding heart for variety, colour and contrasting form. As usual I employing a simple trick of wrapping the stems of the flowers in Red Ti ( cordyline terminalis) leaves such that they appear neat in the glass vase.

I would like to name the above composition ....Torn Between Two Lovers.

Arrangement # 116

There is no competition in the above display.

There are from the same family. Here I placed the pagoda flower ( clerodendrum paniculatum) overtopping the bleeding heart. The pagoda flower has a conical flower head that displays hundreds of small red flowers. It is native to South East Asia and that means Sarawak, Borneo. Thus it really surprises me why people do not use this plant in urban public landscaping or homes. Its flowers are frequently visited by butterflies.

I have attempted to display a gradation of colour in the above presentantion.

For being rather forgotten ( because we take it for granted) and now seldom seen I would like to name the above composition as .....Love Me MORE.

In the Company of Heliconias et.al

2008-11-19T05:49:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 114

Is it something about the rain, that today I saw lots of blooms in the garden? This cold and wet November is something to be thankful , for the leaves and flowers seem to be flourishing in the garden today.

The showy bracts of heliconias are there forever stealing my attention. I collected just three samples of the parrot flowers ( heliconia psittacorum) in shades of golden yellow, bright orange and pastel red. Then I strolled for some stronger colours. Two blooms caught me stunned. One a fiery red ginger ( alpinia purpurata) and the climbing oleander ( strophantus gratus) with its pale rosy purple tint flowers.

Without much ado I placed all of them in a tall glass vase and had the long pendulous pink bracts of the heliconia 'sassy pink' twist around the strongly coloured company of heliconias,ginger and climbing oleander.

Rounding off this presentation I am glad to name it....Circle Game.

Cassia alata or the Seven Golden Candlesticks

2008-11-18T03:42:00.000-08:00

(The Cassia alata plant is in the center of the picture above)

At my eco-farm I have planted from seeds the Seven Golden Candlesticks plant ( Cassia alata ) or Gelenggang in Malay. By about one year's time they have grown between 2-3 meters high. This tall shrub or alternatively you can call it a small tree, loves damp conditions especially near streams and disturbed areas. It is native to tropical America but grows wild in Malaysia.

I have purposely planted it in my eco-farm for the main reason that it is exceedingly difficult to find them even along roadsides or villages these days. Well, you can say it's my small attempt at conservation.

What I find interesting about this plant is its attractive orange bracts and yellow flowers . The flower buds are covered with orange bracts which fall when the yellow flowers open. The leaves of this plant are used for treatment of fungal infections.

Arrangement # 113

For today's display, I went to the stream nearby to collect two branches with inflorescences.Then I scouted for matching yellow bracts of the parrot flower and green leaves of the 'pandan' shrub for special effects and accent. For being so beautifully wild yet eye-catching I name today's composition...WILD THING.

The Fragrant Great Frangipani

2008-11-14T02:23:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 112

In ten minutes can you disappear and come back with a composition?

Well this afternoon I took that challenge. With the decisive secateur in hand and a mind that said "Yes, Can Do" I dashed into the garden outside. A nice bunch of plumeria blooms ( plumeria obtusa) and interchangeably referred to as the Great Frangipani became my first target. Quickly I remembered the many banana bracts around and thought one would do fine . To add just another sexy or sassy touch for that matter, a stalk of the heliconia 'sassy pink 'joins the merry party ( For me at least). That's it composition done. I've come back in ten miuntes as promised.

The title.......Sassy Fragrance.

P.S.

In Malaysia, remember not to present a dear friend with the Great Frangipani flower inspite of its marvellous fragrance and subtle qualities. The Malays call it 'Bunga Kemboja' and is grown mainly at temples, mosques or graveyard sites. Its connection to the metaphysics and spiritual world is most acknowledged. Lest your friend misinterpret your message, your gift of meaningful perfume might mean your desire for him or her to vaporise earlier than sooner to the spiritual world.

Gardenia augusta or Cape Jasmine

2008-11-13T03:56:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 111

Apparently my camera was not its normal self this afternoon. The picture above is possible after many editing attempts.Hah!. Anyway, my focus today is the white, large and fragrant flowers of the common gardenia( Gardenia augusta or Cape jasmine).

Even as late as 5.30 pm I could find fresh blooms at many a shrub around my chalet today. Having gathered enough, I cut a few bracts of the calathea lutea and recycled yesterday's heliconia bracts to make today's presentation.

The interesting thing about the gardenia is that it is supposed to be originated from the Cape of Good Hope ( Africa) thus its name Cape Jasmine. However it is also native to China and introduced to this part of the world, thus popularly known as 'Bunga Cina' in Malay, meaning Chinese Flower.

However for me from the many synonyms, my favourite is to refer this plant as the Cape Jasmine because in today's world of aroma theraphy the jasmine fragrance is always a better brand name.

Thus, my title for today's composition....My Jasmine.

In Parrot- like Fashion

2008-11-10T04:34:00.001-08:00

Arrangement # 110

A collection of three varieties of the parrot flower ( Heliconia psittacorum) makes today 's presentation. The bracts are of various colours - orange, deep yellow to light golden yellow and one particular variety much to my liking has pastel pink bracts with orange flowers and green tips. The stems of the inflorescence are wrapped in Red Ti leaves ( cordyline terminalis) to make the presentation neat and have red colours reflect in the vase. The bright red petals of the Red Ginger ( Alpinia purpurata) adds vibrancy and a small statement to the display. Thinking of what people say about learning things by mere copying or blind following, I would like to name this composition as ... Parrot like Fashion.

Red Ti, Golden net bush, Red Ginger and Parrot Flower

2008-11-06T00:29:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 109

I am still not over with my experiments using the Red Ti ( cordyline terminalis) leaves. Here I fold them and held in place with the aid of staples. When placed in a glass you can see them clearly and glowing.

Three of these leaves, slighly bent gives the impression of open arms. Into the open embrace I plunge in the parrot flowers ( helionia pssitacorum), a Red Ginger terminal spike and the yellowish young leaves of the golden net bush.

The warm exuberance of this presentation makes me call this composition...Warm Embrace.

Red Ginger, Bleeding Hearts and Red Ti

2008-11-05T09:38:00.000-08:00

Arrangement # 108

I thought I have successfully utilise the beauty of the red ti ( cordyline terminalis) leaves in the above display.

For one thing,the leaves when wrapped around the flower stems or stalks of the red ginger ( alpinia purpurata) and the bleeding hearts ( clerodendrum thomsonae) makes the presentation neat especially through the transparent glass container or vase.

Secondly, the top end section of the sword-like leaves when bent add an interesting feature and artistry to the show.

Here the bleeding hearts flowers, the just recently plucked ones appearing more whitish than the slightly aged ones in mild red colours, breaks the symmetry of the display in a refreshing sort of way.

The height of the compositon is achieved by the exotic tiered formation of the red ginger's petals which I think provides much zest and appeal to the whole show.

All the Reds, please stand up!.....for that's the title of today's composition.

Heliconia 'sassy pink'

2008-11-03T03:39:00.000-08:00

The heliconia sassy pink variety is my choice today. This variety grows abundantly in my garden of which I can making cuttings on daily basis. My special liking about it lies in its pastel pink bracts looking like lobsters claws, its pendulous dark pink to red stem and creamy white flowers with green tips. For this presentation I remove some bracts to expose its true flowers which are less significant than its showy bracts.

Below are variations of a common theme, the sassy pink against a seasoned piece of drift wood.

Arrangement # 107

(in three variations)

The long pendulous stem is very versatile and does not seem to break under pressure. Here it winds to a loop.

In the above example, the terminal bracts points downwards at 6 oclock.

Above, the terminal bracts points at 5 oclock. The rest of the long lobster claws are pointing in various directions, thus making the display more dynamic, eye-catching and dramatic.

When left hanging like a pendulum in its natural state, the sasy pink heliconia looks beautiful and majestic.

However when arranged in diverse angles, it displays much drama, excitement and surprises. Therefore I an inclined to name the above compositions as....Sassy Movements.

Banana bracts for flower display

2008-11-02T00:49:00.000-07:00

Been watching the banana inflorescence recently. After a while once the fruits are relatively bigger, the bracts fall off. They curled up and I thought of its use as 'flower boat'. Below are my attempts.

Arrangement # 106

Here a slightly new bract becomes a set for the cut fowers.

A slightly older bract is placed onto the bigger one and is rolled in to so that a heliconia bract can be inserted into it.

Two rolled in bracts placed inside an open bract.

The title of today's composition....Put on the Banana Bracts

To be equal or be fair? Is the question.

2008-11-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 105

How judgemental can you be? Well today, my attention is focussed on three kind of flowers.

On the top echelon are the parrot flowers ( heliconia psittacorum) recognizable by their narrow bracts of orange or pale red colours and one of them above has red flowers with green tips.

The middle rank is occupied by the golden netbush ( pseuderanthemum recticulatum) which have an intricate web of golden veins. But I what I like most about it is the golden yellow colours of its young leaves.

On the lower level is a collection of two fragrant white flowers of the gardenia (gardenia jasminoides) and jasmine ( cape jasmine) respectively.

It is almost impossible to give equal emphasis to everything or every person. I mean, each thing has its own unique qualities and positions or stations . Perhaps the act of allocating ranks is a natural thing in life. Therefore it is no point to give equal treatment. In the final analysis it is the fairness of treatment that counts, especially when it comes to dealing with people or personalities. Probably each according to his or her own needs is the best axiom. Therefore my composition today is called....Above all, Be Fair

Heliconia, Frangipani and Red Ti leaves

2008-10-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 104

This morning I bought a glass vase that is well..sexy looking i.e. by the look of its curves. I was thinking of how to exploit its curvature. For many weeks now I am thinking of other ways to use the dark red/black coloured leaves of the Red Ti ( cordyline terminalis). Today I rolled it up and inserted three leaf blades into the vase to hold together the stalks of the pink frangipani and the heliconia latispatha.Wrapping the flower stalks with the Red Ti leaves in water removed the nakedness out of sight.

By one look there's no doubt that the lady in red is ....well.... Dressed to Kill.

The magnificent Bignonia

2008-10-29T03:53:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 103

Today I am enchanted by the popular climber, bignonia ( Bignonia magnifica).

I have it grown over my aviary and is sure a vigorous climber. When flowering and this happens very regularly, it produces big bell-shaped mauve-pink flowers.

Bignonia need to be planted in full sun and the sight of their flowers against the blue sky is indeed a joy to behold as often I sit by my verandah in the afternoon sipping my cup of tea to the thought of its magnificence.

For all its splendour and rich colour i.e. both its flowers and its dark green leaves, I call this composition...

A Popular Splendour

Red Ginger, Pink Canna and Red Ti for a Start

2008-10-27T23:12:00.000-07:00

Fiery Start - in 2 versions

Arrangement # 101

It has been a month and two days since I did my last posting. The main reason or excuse I guess was that I had spent the Hari Raya holiday this year in Kuching . The Hari Raya started on the 1st of October.

The problem after I get back to Bintulu was to get rolling on with blogging daily cut flowers.

Well, today I am over with the holidays and back to normal self.

Arrangement # 102

Walking around the garden I found that the canna hybrid I brought from Kuching from my last trip had flowered. I decided to make it the top choice for today's arrangement. To add more turbo , more twin power to the display I added the fiery red ginger. Finally to keep the theme red I inserted the red leaves of the Red Ti ( Cordyline terminalis).

For having finally starting the daily cut flowers again after a month lapse, I call the above composition...Fiery Red Start.

Intellectual Flowering

2008-09-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 100

I was strolling around and about my garden this afternoon after spending a fruitful half morning of cleaning up my gardening store. Next to where I was working this vigorous climber called the trumpet flower ( Bignonia magnificia) greeted me in colours of purple. The flowers are bell-shaped and in my garden it never stops to exhibit its flowers throughout the year. I have planted it to climb over the netting of my mini aviary. What wonderful flushes of purple against a dark green mass of leaves. And what does purple reminds one? Well for me it was my university's royal colour, the University of Pulau Pinang which later was renamed Universiti Sains Malaysia. Those were the days ( 1971-1973) when I felt extremely stimulated intellectually. You can say it as my era of intellectual flowering.

With a bunch of the trumpet blooms in my hand, I strolled again to search another to make a crowd. What a delightful surprise I got from the climbing oleander which I planted about two months ago. The climbing oleander ( Strophanthus gratus) has just flowered and I know that this is the first bloom ever to be produced from this only plant I bought from the Kuching flower market quite a while ago in my Bintulu garden. The white flower of the climbing oleander has a rosy purple tint to its petals. Finally to add accent to the display I added the colourful orangy and reddish bracts of the heliconia latispatha and the heliconia psittacorum species. Happy to recall of my youthful pursuits in the second year of University of Pulau Pinang 's establishment, I dedicate this arrangement to ...My Intellectual flowering.

Red Hibiscus, White Ginger and Wild Banana

2008-09-24T05:33:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 99

It's the Queen of the tropical flowers. The red hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa- sinensis) is Malaysia's national flower. I saw them a plenty at my garden this afternoon. Besides the red variety I came across too the light orange variety, that is two tiered with one smaller bloom hanging down from the bigger flower like a Japanese lantern. The latter variety has a dark red tinge colouring at its core.

Hibiscus do not release any fragrance. But no worry. I plucked a stalk of the white ginger ( Hedychium coronarium) and more stalks of the white gardenia flowers ( Gardenia jasminoides variegated) to add a lure of scent to the presentation.

Finally I am thinking of making the display look tropical. Therefore I took the variegated wild banana leaves to provide the exoticness to the presentation and placed them in a Sarawak flower vase. This vase has the native Iban design carved on it. As a signature to the presentation, I let the vase sit on a young coconut frond. That's it, the tropical look is there. Imagine swaying coconut leaves, distant shores ( of course beaches too) and nature in abundance. A perfect tropical getaway.

The Queen of tropical flowers now casts an impressive display of tropical sight seeing, a romance under the tropical skies and Oh! what I call ...ATropical Galore.

A Passion to Die For

2008-09-22T05:55:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 98

First things first. The white caladium was just outside my front door in all its glorious white colour. It is no wonder that sometimes people refer to it as Angel's Wings (Caladium bicolor). It's large white leaves have green veins radiating from the center. I thought for once to display just white colours, white leaves and white flowers. Therefore I got hold of the satiny flowers of the white ginger ( Hedychium coronarium) next. But as I reflected upon it, what are the white corpuscles without its red blood companion? Thus enter the Red Ti ( cordyline terminalis) leaves to make passion reverberate in my veins . I realised all to soon that the passions must not be too extreme. A slight moderation would be better for my heart. Again I make way for the sassy pink bracts and the orangy heliconia latispatha bracts to weave their way into the presentation.

A pure white and blood red composition I thought would be well remembered in the title...

A Passion to Die For.

Batik on leaves

2008-09-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 97

A late afternoon walk around my garden today revealed the gorgeous blooms of the ixora flowers. I came across two shrubs of the species. One was the orangy variety and the other light yellow in colour.

When I was looking for some matching green foliage, my certain mind was moved or rather changed by a striking clump of a caladium hybrid which has batik-like effects on its leaves. I mean the cracks and accidental lines and spots reminded me of batik painting technique. I wonder why Malaysians haven't name this after their batik craft. I for one would like to propose a common name for it..why not pink batik?.

The ixora coccinea, sometimes called jungle flame or jungle geranium, have tubular flowers. The yellow variety is also referred to as ixora lutea. Both grow abundantly in my garden.

Next I needed a plant that will provide drama , movement and signature to the display. My choice ,if you have guessed it correctly is a string of heliconia sassy pink bracts which I made to circle around the perforated flower vase.

To promote the use of the caladium hybrid and the Malaysian batik art, I propose today's composition title ...Pink Batik.

Fragrant White Flowers

2008-09-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 96

White fragrant flowers. This seems to be the theme today. I collected blooms of the gardenia, plumeria and spider lily and have them tugged inside a yellow drinking glass, the ones you can plenty at the RM2 shop nowadays. I chose yellow to reflect the yellow core of the plumeria bloom.

Then I accentuate the height to match the over topping spider lily flowers by inserting the colourful orange bracts of the heliconia. Composition-wise I am happy and would leave the display at that. Pure and simple , without any pretensions. All the blooms chosen are fragrant, some ooze out a sweet soft scent like the spider lily (Hymennocaullis caribaea) while the plumeria ( Plumeria obtusa) sometimes called the Great Frangipani produces a strong and quite heady scent.
Today people in Malaysia plant the great frangipani in modern contemporary gardens to get back to traditional roots and for the aroma therapeutic effects it is believed to offer. For example, soak the gardenia and jasmine flowers in a towel and place it around your head, in no time your headache is forgotten. Hmmm....can try that. For the perfumery I have at my room right now, I name the composition...Perfume Blossoms.

Golden net bush and hibiscus hybrids

2008-09-19T05:02:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 95

I stumbled upon the golden net bush plant late this afternoon around 6.00 pm. at my garden. The evening rays heightened the yellow colour of its young leaves. The golden net bush or golden eranthemum ( Pseuderanthemum recticulatum) has golden stems and and bright yellow leaves with a web of green veins. The flowers are white with spotted violet at its center.

How would I display its attractive blooms?

Without much thinking further, my eyes were caught by the soft colours of a hibiscus hybrid plant bearing light orange petals and brilliant red at its core. This variety is unique because the flowers seem to hang from slender stalks and they come in two tiers. These two flowers then became my choice of the day.

How would I display them?

Back at the chalet, I noticed the perforated green flower vase was empty. That's it. But before they go in there, I realised that I need a signature to the display. Therefore I looked for the colourful stem of heliconia sassy pink, removed its bracts to expose it flowers and let them popped out of the perforated vase.

Finally I threw in a single red hibiscus bloom for good measure and lay it on a banana place mat. Done.

Now comes the hardest part. What should I name the composition?

Hibiscus flowers do not last long as cut flowers. Probably a day at the most. That gives me an inkling for today's presentation. Why not call it...Just tonite, my darling.

The spiders and the gingerly hot

2008-09-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 94

Three blooms of the spider lily ( Hymenocaullis caribaea), two flower spikes of the red ginger ( Alpinia purpurata) and a variegated cordyline species make today's presentation.

Today's composition combines red hot energy of the scarlet ginger and the subtle freshness of the spider lily. Thus would like to call this composition....Just as hot.

P.S.The inspiration was this encounter below:

Have spiders perched on these evergreen leaves? These spider lily blooms show their delicate spider-like petals. Spider lilies should be cut and placed inside the living room because they ooze out a softly sweet fragrance. Time taken: 5.30 pm, the U- turn about to reach my farm, Laman Kambatik, Bintulu.

A Third Look at Dillenia

2008-09-16T20:47:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 93

This display reminds me of how we often overlook at our local beauties. We take them for granted. They flower freely. They are always there when you want to look at them. You wrap food with their leaves and let our children have fun with their fruits.Charlie was impressed.

His second look was at Melastoma. Locally known as ' senduduk' or Straits Rhododendron ( Melastoma malabathricum) its purplish- black fruits attract the birds and the boys who like to stain their tongue with their fruits. Thus the Greek word for 'melastoma' to mean 'black mouth'.

Charlie's third look was at Dillenia. She's every where.By the roadsides, the waysides and the most unlikely places - the disturbed areas. Her cabbagy leaves are used to wrap food and fermented rice. Her fruits when ripe let loose red-fleshed seeds that are the prime target of the feathered species. Her name dear Charlie is the 'Shrubby Simpuh' or 'Simpuh Air'( Dillenia suffruticosa )

Charlie is now a confirmed admirer. He's takes great love to looking up these beauties. In the story above, the greenery ( the envy? ) is provided by 'creeping Charlie' ( Pilea nummulariifolia )

All good things must come to an end. no matter what.

The two beauties looked back at Charlie and with the sweetest of smile uttered the two cutest words...

Recognize me ?

Lovers at Heart

2008-09-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 92

Red is the colour of my true love's heart. Wonderfully wild and passionate . Red as in the vibrant colours of the cordyline terminalis often times referred as Red Ti in Hawaii and elsewhere called as 'firebrand'.

Our hearts are plunged into the well of passionate desires and longing. Of loving and craving.

When our hearts are entwined as lovers do, we felt no pain.

Only hope that such a moment will come and never end.

No regrets. I call today's poetic presentation...Lovers at Heart.

Ebony, Scarlet and Sassy Senoritas

2008-09-14T05:42:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 91

The exotic bracts of calathea and heliconia sassy pink are joined by the fiery hot scarlet ginger ( Alpinia purpurata).

To provide interest and as conversational piece I lay down the pendulous stem of the sassy pink on the calathea leaf place mat. This kind of flower arrangement should last for a week as a table decoration. In many writings I do come across mention of heliconia sassy pink as 'sexy pink'. Between these two I still do not know the authoritative name. Either way both'sassy' and 'sexy' sound well and good. What about calling the above composition....S.S. ....to mean Sexy Senoritas ?

2008-09-13T07:44:00.001-07:00

Calathea and Sassy Pink composition - 2

2008-09-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 90

My fascination with the brown calathea flower spikes and the long pendulous pink bracts of heliconia sassy pink continues. I grab hold of my good old rotten tree trunk, tested and seasoned over time, and plunge the terminal flower spikes into its gasping hole. Had one pendulous stem half circle the upper storey and another at ground zero. Thought that was easy.
With a bit of light effects and alakazam...a composition is born. Upon reflection, I call this composition simply.....Return to My Roots.

Calathea and Sassy Pink composition-1

2008-09-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

This week we are busy at the farm clearing the initial young fruits of the oil palm, merely a cultural practice to encourage later fruits to be bigger and more even ripening. On one of those rounds I met across a clump of this calathea lutea. The broad leaves of this plant are used by the local people here especially the Kelabit to wrap rice when they go for day long journeys to neighbouring villages mostly on foot. What is equally attractive about this plant are the terminal flower spikes where the brown bracts cover insignificant yellow flowers.

Arrangement # 89

In the above example the calthea leaf, some 60 cm wide and 80cm long , is used as place mat for the glass vase. Here I crowd the calathea spikes and let them arrange themselves in irregular upright form like in the wild.

To make the display wild and tropical and exotic I lay the pendulous stem of the heliconia sassy pink around the base of the vase. That seems easy.

Finally to create a signature to the composition, I remove some of the sassy pink bracts to expose the partly hidden flowers and circle it around the calathea spikes.

I thought that's looking good. Therefore am pleased to give this name to the composition....That's Looking at You Kid.

Pure Gossip

2008-09-11T00:09:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 88

Imagine a girl, a lady or a woman so lovely, kind-hearted and pure of heart as adorable as the gardenia!

She is beyond superlatives. Her qualities radiate as much as her fragrance gravitate one towards her.

She is the topic of conversation. Everyone in the kingdom wants to know what she eats, who she's with, what she has to say about anything. She's being circulated throughout the blogs of the world.

Hot topic. Hot conversation.Hot personality.

Is she real? Or just .....PURE GOSSIP?

Wild Pineapple Fruits and Day Lilies

2008-09-10T05:11:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 87

Three fruits of the dwarf wild pineapple,one stalk of the pink canna hybrid,three stalks of the the day lily ( Hemerocallis) and three stalks of the heliconia latistapha make it to the table today.

Day lilies do not last long, perhaps a day or two. Slightly longer would be the canna flowers. But the heliconia latistapha would last the longest among the two mentioned earlier.

The wild pineapple fruit I add to suggest' fruitful days.' Yes, today despite me fasting, I did a lot of work at the farm and when I broke my fast this evening around 6.32 pm my sacrifice was well worth it. Sweetened and made more meaningful of course by the hard work put into it.

Without much ado, I declare today's composition...Fruitful Days.

( Note: This clump of heliconia latistapha gave me the inspiration for today's presentation)

Focus on the Plumeria Rubra

2008-09-09T05:52:00.000-07:00

I have been observing the flowering stages of this pink frangipani for the last couple of days. I anticipated I would soon use it for the next cutting. Well today it was in relative full bloom. Therefore I rushed to get my secateurs and carefully made my priced cutting for the day.

Frangipanis normally refer to the pink variety of plumeria. Scientifically this fragrant flowering species are called plumeria by mistake. That botanical name was given for the French botanist named P L U M I E R. But a mistake is a mistake. Instead "plumier" was spelled P L U M E R I A!.Thus to this day the name stays and is used to describe both the white variety ( Plumeria obtusa ) and the other colourful relatives like the sample above known as Plumeria rubra.

For today's presentation therefore the pink frangipani will assume center stage.

Arrangement # 86

Once my mind is decided to make the frangipani the center of appeal, it was easy to distribute its infectious beauty to the rest of the company. First goes the orangy red heliconia psittacorum, then the sassy pink heliconia. But to add freshness to the composition I threw a few young foliage of a cordyline species. The freshness was accentuated by placing them against a banana leaf background like above.

Have you notice three tiny differences in the display above? Guess what, the background is ferro cement, the glass vase sits on an ordinary banana leaf unlike the first presentation where the wild banana leaves were used. Thirdly, the orangy heliconia has moved places. I did the above just for experimental reasons. ( sentimental me??) Having a perfumed presence as the central focus, I call this composition...A Fragrant Focus.

The Best is Yet to Come

2008-09-08T14:27:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 85

Two yellow bamboo culms. From yesterday's presentation is retained the caladium, sassy pink and heliconia psittacorum. I add the calathea lutea in the above display to give the feeling of equal achievement. Two man ( or woman) standing tall.

As we look around us,do not feel proud of our achievements because others could be even better. Be thankful that you can contribute to make the little difference in people's lives. And you can mutiply it by the billions of lives on earth. By promoting prosperity around us we accept the fact that we are a child of the universe, in a big cycle of change and renewal.

If the call is made to us, rise to the occassion, play our role to the best of our capability

knowing that all's well that ends well. Thus feeling philosophical today, I

call the above composition...The Best is Yet to Come.

Bamboo Culm Compositions - 5

2008-09-07T05:10:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 84

The two yellow bamboo culms are cut staggered and so is the tiered arrangement of the caladium,sassy pink heliconia and finally the top of the deck heliconia psittacorum.

Now I am beginning to like the caladium hybrid pink foliage not merely for its magnificient coloured foliage but also its longevity as cut foliage.

Today is special. This morning I had a try at watercolour and decided to paint the caladium and the sassy pink . The result is on top of this post.

Being such a wonderful day( since I have not been painting for quite a while) , feeling relieved and released, I name this composition... Better Days to Come.

Bamboo Culm Compositions - 4

2008-09-06T05:57:00.001-07:00

In earlier compositions I used only one bamboo culm. In the ensuing compositions, I will add another to make a company. In the example below the lily, ginger lily and caladium hybrid support the heliconia psittacorum which forms the top storey in the display.

Arrangement # 83

By adding another taller piece of bamboo culm, I have provided height to the arrangement. The cascading heliconia sassy pink suggests movement and drama to the show. For the drama in our life and our living is but a stage in time, I call this composition...A Theatretical Display.

Bamboo Culm Compositions - 3

2008-09-05T06:49:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 82

This will be the last display using a single bamboo culm. In the next few displays I will try to use two culms in the arrangement. Here I have endeavoured to make the culm more interesting by pulling out fine strips of the bamboo skin thus revealing some vertical lines on the culm. Just one short stalk of heliconia sassy pink and a couple of strong red and cream yellow bracts of heliconia psittacorum will be fine .
The presentation is made interesting with the banana leaf as background. giving it a rich tropical touch .
I like then to call this composition...Tropicana.

Bambo culm compositions - 2

2008-09-04T04:21:00.000-07:00

My attempt today is to combine two species of heliconia inside a yellow bamboo culm. The upright orangy-red heliconia psittacorum and the cascading heliconia sassy pink. To balance the two contrasting movements I threw in four leaves of the pinkish caladium hybrid with green edges.

Now I am thinking of a beautiful young maiden, slender in form and her pink face blushes as she is teased.

The red hibiscus add much vigour and gushes of blood as she put on the sweetest smile a man will die for.

Arrangement # 81

For such a memorable moment in the life of the young maiden, I dedicate this composition to ....Blushing Maiden.

Bamboo Culm Compositions - 1

2008-09-03T04:52:00.000-07:00

Early this morning I came across this beautiful yellow bambo clump. The golden yellow colour of the stem strikes me as something unique and of good presentational value.

Having cut one long stem from the clump, I then cut it into shorter lengths for use as a display container like below.

Arrangement # 80

I am pretty impressed by the gorgeous golden yellow colours of the bamboo culm and thought it needed some strong colours to match. The ones closest to where I was working were the bright red foliage of the Coryline terminalis or popularly known as 'Red Ti' in Hawaii, and some light purple blooms of bignonia.

The colours being strong and vibrant had much tension in them as they are placed together.

The upright character of the Red Ti seems to accentuate the dynamic tension between it and the drooping bignonia flowers. This calls for an immediate resolution.

I found the soft and mild green leaves of a fern nearby to be the saviour of theday.

Feeling resolved, I would like to call this composition....Dynamic Resolve.

The Parrot Flower

2008-09-02T00:20:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 79

I am feeling not too well today. Probably due to the my body not yet in tune with the fasting routine which started yesterday( 1/8) Anyway my spirits as usual are always on a high note.

A walk up the hill this morning convinced me of the richness of heliconia psittacorum or parrot flower.

It has a narrow sized bract when compared with the stricta or sassy pink varieties to mention but a few of the heliconias with large sized bracts. The one I have selected this morning has orange bracts.

I cut the stalk long and then placed them in a plastic mineral bottle( recycle?) with the top section cut to let in seven stalks of the parrot flower. Added a tiny solution of green syrup to the water to get some colours to the plant container.

Today's composition is just plain in order to show the rich orange colours of the heliconia psittacorum.

Thus, the title of today's composition...Plain Parrot.

Heliconia sassy pink beauty

2008-08-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 78

From yesterday's composition I now add the fragrant blooms of gardenia and jasmine and finally the crowning beauty of the heliconia sassy pink bracts.

The jasmine(jasmine mutiflorum) is synonymous with sweet fragrance and many of today's refreshers ( car, home or office) make use of its essence for their fragrant flavours. And the gardenia too are chosen for its fragrant and pure white flowers.

The long pendulous stalk of heliconia sassy pink provides the balance to the composition i.e. to top heavy flowers are balanced by a strong pink long cascade of equivalent mass of bracts.

Because the pink bracts stay outstanding infront of the brown jar,in an already rich arrangement, I would therefore name this composition...Pink Beauty.

A Jarful of Satisfaction

2008-08-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 77

( In Three Stages)

I have these 'tongkat ali' roots ( a local aphrodisiac) inside the jar for sometime. But it was just the tongkat ali and the brown jar. I was however inspired to make a composition based on the jar and the aphrodisiac this morning.

To match the jar's brown colour I add three bracts of calathea with its minute yellow flowers hiding behind their thick brown bracts, making the flowers less showy as is charateristic of this species. At the lower storey I placed a few stalks of the pseuderanthemum ( Pseuderanthemum recticulatum ), the flowers of which are held by terminal spikes. They have white blossoms with purplish spots radiating from the center. The young leaves are very attractive due to its golden yellow colouration.

Then I add another heliconia species, the orangish heliconia latispatha with its lovely green tips.

Finally to add drama to the whole scene, I made the heliconia sassy pink to circle the base of the jar.
Yes...completely satisfied I felt and in no uncertain terms call this composition....a Jarful of Satisfaction.

Vibrant Colours of Heliconia Bracts

2008-08-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 76

When I arrived Bintulu yesterday ( 27/8) it was dark and rainy. Couldn't see much and there wasn't time to make my daily cut. I thought sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. The very fact that I arrived Bintulu safely after a ten hours land journey was something I should be thankful for. Therefore I slept last night tired and grateful.
Today's composition was done late in the afternoon after about a half day's shopping,meeting friends,checking my postal office box, banking matters and most of all to repair my computer and handset modem that had went a bit haywire. With every thing in place, I set about to have my pick for the day. By one turn of my shoulder, I saw heliconias in various colours stealing my attention.
Without further ado, two varieties were chosen. Then I made a cutting of a mild pink canna.So the three goes into a rotten tree trunk, which became my favourite tall container for quite a while now. The above picture captures stage one.
Stage Two:

The heliconia 'sassy pink' with its long stalk and some of its pink bracts removed was made to circle around the rotten trunk suggesting an entangled affair. The top section of the display's space was occupied by the bright orange heliconia latispatha. Such strong showing of colours I thought need to be smoothen and given interest. Therefore I added a few blooms of the jasmine ( jasmine multiflorum)
Stage Three:

Finally to conclude I added scent to the composition by throwing fresh white and fragrant blooms of the plumeria ( plumeria obtusa).

Feeling happy and much pleased, I call this composition .....Red Twine in the Sunset.

Exotic Plant Therapy

2008-08-24T05:21:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 75

I am pretty impressed by the survival factor of yesterday's cut flowers. To recall I had the heliconia sassy pink, calathea, costus , parrot flower and finally the fragrant white blooms of the spider lily.

Today I thought of just reorganising the presentation. Therefore I had them placed inside a special square container that is made from four pieces of the abacus. I let the green tips of heliconia sassy pink peep out and cascade from the front side of the container to suggest movement.

For having counted days of blessing my soul as I watched them and still do, without a tinge of doubt I call the above composition...A Continued Blessing.

Too few to mention

2008-08-23T04:26:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 74

Didn't have much flowers in bloom today principally due to our Kuching garden still very much in its infancy. However this calls for an imaginative moment. Like what people used to say, opportunity knocks on every man's ( or woman) door but few recognise it at the correct time.

My eager eyes were caught by one inflorescences each of the costus, heliconia, hibiscus and finally a gardenia. Since the flowers are a bit limited I thought some broad foliage would do the balancing act.

Three, two, one..goes the inflorescences and the foliage into a mini tambuk. A variegated caladium was placed in the foreground to add much needed contrast and life to the display.

" Regrets I had a few, but then again too few to mention".....and so the final curtain goes and the composition credits remain as......What Have We Got ?

I am not over with the composition. No regrets. Just a minute addition wouldn't do no harm. Therefore in goes an orange canna.

Finally when the whole episode is over, I put the display next to yesterday's composition which apparently still remain in superb condition. Since last night two buds of the spider lily have opened up and tonight I guess another two or three should come out in full bloom. By the by, the tissue box cover in front is made from beadswork in the Sarawakian native design. The figurative and fern-like motifs are essential elements in the local ethnic design patterns.

An Exotic Cut

2008-08-22T04:14:00.000-07:00

Had a good look at the front garden this morning. Love those young fragile cycas fronds (Cycas rumphii) welcoming a new day. My front garden has slowly turned out to become more exotic as the various large and multi-coloured foliage reveals their true identity. The under story of colourful foliage too are showing colours of pink and purple especially the species belonging to the rhoe discolour and the irisine. The upper story of palmate leaves are rising to the occassion as well.

From yesterday's composition I noticed that the spider lily flowers are still stiff and freshly fragrant and more buds are blooming even as I am writing this post. This prooves that the spider lily flowers are quite lasting materials for cut flowers. Not to miss this new found love of the spider lily as cut flowers I therefore decide to retain yesterday's cuttings and to add that tropical exotic lustre to the display, I placed a flowering stem of the sassy pink heliconia with some bracts removed to expose its beautiful green tips.

Arrangement # 73

I strongly feel invigorated with this new discovery of the spider lily as cut flowers. Pleased and entertained as I watch the above display , consequently would love to name this composition... Exotic Cut.

As I type this post the sweetly fragrant scent from the spider lily flowers perfumes the ambience around the dining table. A day to remember.

Spider Lily

2008-08-21T03:51:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 72

My house garden in Kuching is still in its infancy since we decided to 'look west' . While trying to make my pick for the day, I was pleasantly surprised to see a bed of spider lily ( Hymenocaullis caribaea) bearing a couple of flowers. I just took one stalk thinking to make a simple,fast and elegant composition.

To match its long stalk and white flowers, I chose the contrasting colours of the brownish bracts of calathea ( Calathea lutea) and stopped at that. Not to complicate things further.

Glad to call today's composition ....In Contrasting Mood.

Pink Canna Hybrid, Hibiscus and White Ginger

2008-08-19T23:37:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 71

I have not been able to get any reasonable good show of blooms yesterday( 19/8) .Thus was unable to post an arrangement. However I seemed to be lucky this morning. My waiting game for the stalk of pink canna hybrid and white ginger to come out of their buds and flower paid me handsomely today.With the pink flowers of canna and the red hibiscus in one hand and the white ginger on the other, my mind was working in quick mode.

In a vase of water they go and ooops in split second an arrangement was done. With a good day to remember ( 20.08.2008) and an effortless composition, I call this display...Lucky Me

Bunga Kenanga ( Canangium odorata )

2008-08-17T02:30:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 70

What an exciting moment when I discovered my perfume tree ( Canangium odorata /Cananga odorata ) producing its first cluster of fragrant yellow-green flowers. I thought it should have a focal point in today's composition. Therefore I sandwitched it between the flowers of ixora and bracts of heliconia. In Malaysia this tree is locally referred to as the ' kenanga '. 'Bunga Kenanga " means the flowers of kenanga. From the distilled oil in the flowers , perfume is produced. In some literature, this tree is sometimes called the ' ylang ylang'.

An interesting feature of its flower is its long, twisted and drooping petals.

To add greenery to the composition, I placed a few leaves of draceana with its longitudinal yellowish stripes, thespider plant with its stiff grass like variegated white-green leaves and the lanceolate leaves of the mother-in-law's tongue .

For such a fragrant flower creating a huge perfume industry, I call today's composition.... A Perfumed Presence.

Three's a Crowd

2008-08-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 69

This morning I woke up early because I'll be attending an 'akad nikah' ceremony where in the Muslim custom the prospective bridegroom will pronounce his acceptance of marriage to the bride in front of elders and a big crowd ( or small according to one's preferences). Therefore a quick stroll around the garden will suffice. To my delight three hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) flowers were ready for the picking. In quick succession ,I placed them in a glass of water with some leaves of the mother-in-law's tonque ( Sansevieria trifasciata ) and then kept the glass in a mini 'tambuk' and into an antique iron. The title...Three's a Crowd.

An interesting use of the hibiscus image as coloured lighting motif is seen yesterday on a urban road,Kuching City.

This Morning Brightness

2008-08-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 68

What makes my day? From yesterday's recycled beauty I retained the bracts of heliconia , costus and the variegated leaves of cordyline. This morning's blooms consists of a stalk of pink canna hybrid, red hibiscus and light orange bougainvillea. Not to be missed is a white bract on a flowering stem of a variegated caladium.

To express this morning's early achievement and painless search I call the above composition...This Morning Brightness.

Variegated Cordyline

2008-08-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 67

Sunday (10/8) when I went hunting for plants at the Satok flower market, I came across an interesting cordyline hybrid. It has pale cream leaves with green streaks and edged in red which was very much different from the more ubiquitious red variety ( Red Ti) used very often in today's landscaping for their strong red and sometimes light pink leaves.
To match the variegated cordyline leaves, I chose the bracts of costus woodsonii and heliconia psittacorum which has survived days after having been placed inside a container filled with water.
Being happy for a moment with the rather 'hot' colourful collection, I thought then of a flower that could define their beauty better in somewhat finer and milder colours. My choice is the pink hibiscus hybrid.
With an abstract painting as the backdrop, I placed the display on my dining table to add lure for this morning breafast. For being such useful and lasting decorative foliage and bracts, I call the composition...Recyled Beauty.

Orangy Ixora coccinea

2008-08-10T19:33:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 66

There is not much good blooms this morning at the garden outside except for an ixora shrub which apparently do have some fresh early morning flowers. Instantly my mind was driven to make an interesting composition based on its rich orange colours. Once satisfied with three cuttings, I strolled around the garden for leaves to match. Three variegated leaves species I selected were the wild banana ( green and dark purple colours), mother-in-law's tonque ( Sansevieria trifasciata ) and the irisine leaves of light red and dark purple combinations.

I placed them in a glass container which I hide inside a local mini 'tambuk' ( carrying basket ) sold as a popular souvenier item to tourists visiting Kuching. Finally, I added a stalk of white ginger ( Hedychium coronarium) to add a much needed interest.

Ixoras to me is a must for our local garden. They flower furiously year round. They are native to this region ( South East Asia) and have a good range of colours. Those that have pink colours are called Ixora siamensis while yellow ones are sometimes referred as Ixora coccinea var.lutea . One peculiar feature is their tubular flowers with four spreading lobes in dense clusters. I used to pluck these flowers and suck its tubular stamens for its nectar. Nowadays there are cultivars that possess traits of special appeal to landscapers like dense inflorescences, tiny leaves, low maintenance shrub, hardy ( especially for shaping and or topiary purposes) and sun loving. One such cultivar is the popular dwarf ixora known also as ' ixora sunkist '.

For being such a popular, hardy and lovely native species, fitting the bill of landscapers and home gardeners alike, I shall call this composition....My Lovely Native Ixora.

In Jubilating Mood

2008-08-10T05:48:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 65

Today I spent a very hectic day at down town Kuching City, where a handicraft show and sale was held. On reaching home , I met three striking beauties that greeted me as I approached the front garden.

One, a light pink hibiscus, then a lighter red canna hybrid and finally a handsome crimson red hibiscus.

It would be unthinkable if I would not pick them as my favourites for the day.

I was exceptionally happy this afternoon after I met some strangers who were so willing to share knowledge about batik at the show. All in all, I felt jubilatingly happy. With a little help from a stalk of costus and orange bracts of heliconia, the composition was completed in record time.

Therefore I dedicate today's composition to ....Feeling Exuberant..

A corner at one of the exhibition stalls displaying various containers using rattan as the chief material and given modern colours.

Delightful Sarawak

2008-08-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 64

Waking up early to a Saturday morning, less rain, I felt somewhat elated. Saw the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics 2008 last night live on RTM 1. What a dazzling show it was. The moment I stepped out of the front door the heady sweet scent of a white ginger blossom ( Hedychium coronarium ) pricked my senses.
This particular bloom was next to a clump of wild bananas that are at present flowering and fruiting too. A unique combination of events that I thought would be the subject of today's arrangement.
Moving around the garden I saw a small stalk of golden eranthemum ( Pseuderanthemum reticulatum ) in partial bloom. These two blooms would make it to the table today.
I placed the two blooms and a couple of young variegated wild banana leaves into a mini 'tambuk'. At the background I placed a favourite batik painting of mine which shows an Iban design motif. For a unique mixture of sorts, I name this composition....Delightful Sarawak.

Sarawak Delights Series

2008-08-07T20:42:00.000-07:00

It is raining this morning here in Kuching. And today is memorable to start something new. Today the 2008 Olympics begins in Beijing, China. Therefore I will start a new series themed 'Sarawak Delights' in this weblog that will showcase Sarawak handicrafts that can be used in conjunction with floral displays.

View of my front garden in Kuching. To the right is a dense collection of wild bananas. To the left are the broad leaves of calathea ( Calathea lutea)

Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, Malaysia and it is one of the best lanscaped cities in Malaysia. In my opinion, the whole Kuching city is just like one big oversized botanical garden. But it is more than that. Kuching is rich in cultural heritage that is based on the forest and ethnic diversity. In Kuching you can easily sample all the various handicrafts of the peoples in Sarawak by walking through its hundreds of handicrafts and sovenier shops along the Kuching Waterfront.

In my collection at the moment is a piece of bamboo 'coin box', a bamboo weaved container and a 'rattan' woven mini 'tambuk' ( which is a Bidayuh term to mean a carrying basket). These will be used in today's presentation.

Arrangement # 62

I have placed the bracts of heliconia, costus and calathea inside a glass and then fit them inside the mini 'tambuk' ( which is sold in Kuching as a sovenier). In the above example, I have removed the pink bracts of heliconia sassy pink to expose the beautiful green tips.

Arrangement # 63

Finally, I placed two Sarawak handicraft items, the bamboo 'coin box' and a bamboo woven container next to the 'tambuk'. I would like to name this composition....Sarawak by Design.

Pumpkin Delight

2008-08-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 61

This morning I had a marvellous time tending to my small garden here in Kuching. Though it is still in its formative stage, there are lots of plants that I planted months ago that are showing their true colours right now. Of particular interest is the Sassy Pink heliconia which I made a cutting . I was thinking of displaying it differently. Thus I made use of the unique unglazed earthen ware piece which I have kept for more than twenty years and brought here to Kuching as a decorative living room piece. I could very well remember that is the kind of water pot that people in Kedah, West Malaysia called 'Labu Air' and used to sell them to visitors as sovenier items. In fact I bought this particular pot years ago while on a family holiday trip to Kedah and Langkawi Island. The word 'Labu' in Bahasa Malaysia refers to the pumpkin fruit. This pumpkin fruit shaped vessel is used to store drinking water in Kedah.

Next , I went around the beds and saw ixoras flowering together with a couple of yellow and orange bracts of heliconias shooting into the garden air. The leaves and red stalk of the sealing wax palm ( Cyrtostachys renda) though still small, is used in this display for its tropical look and stiff leaves. Finally to add height and structure to the composition, I used the spider plant leaves ( Chlorophytum comosum) which have about 30 cm length of grass-like straight leaves with white edging. Normally the spider plant is used as a hanging basket plant. To add a little bit of interest I threw in two leaves of the alocasia species at the back of the pot.

For an enchanting and a memorable arrangement I call this composition...Pumpkin Delight

An Amazing Fascination

2008-08-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Today's Specialty:

Bright red (scarlet) spikes - Costus woodsonii
Golden yellow with green tips ( red bracts removed) - Heliconia latispatha
Brown bracts ( unnamed species)
Small circular disc cups ( unnamed species)

Presentation:
Display as table arrangement with abstract painting background and laid on a Sarawak bead table mat.

Storyline

Just the other day while at the Sarawak Regatta 2008 I bought a Sarawak bead piece ( like the one you see on the left of the picture) based on an Orang Ulu design. It is extremely colourful and intricately done. When I plan to produce today's composition, I was thinking of the bead piece and an abstract painting I did a long time ago ( still in my collection).Thus this composition explains it all.My fascination with Sarawak beads, heliconias and painting.

Arrangement # 60

Straight out, I couldn't think of any other title except....An Amazing Fascination.

Brief Afternoon Glory

2008-08-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

Arrangement# 59

Returning home late in the afternoon today, I wasted no time in picking my target for the day. Couldn't resist the orangish red colours of this regular single petalled hibiscus hybrid. Looks like they have just blossomed in the late afternoon sun. The tonal values of some light orange and lilac colourful bracts (couldn't get to name the species yet) creeping on the fence waited excitedly for my eager hand. For a fast late afternoon collection of cut flowers due for my dining table arrangement, am pleased to call this composition....Brief Afternoon Glory.

Bright and Lovely Sunday

2008-08-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 58

I am feeling super great this morning . I have recovered from the long trip to Kuching. And yesterday spent a lovely day at the Kuching waterfront watching long boats, jet skis , kayaks and sampans and lots and lots of people and food was everywhere. I am still feeling the air of festivities today as I wake up late to a lazy Sunday. As I was about in the garden outside, I picked up a spray of pink frangipani and few orange and light red bracts of heliconia. I thought a simple composition will do for a Sunday. So here goes my....Bright and Lovely Sunday.

Happy to be back in Kuching

2008-07-31T23:49:00.000-07:00

Arrangement#57

I am back in Kuching and happy to arrive here safely after a nine hours journey by road yesterday. On this trip my four cats joined me to clock their additional 600 km in their attempt to create the Malaysian record for the most travelled cats in Malaysia.

It was a joyful moment when I found after arriving at our residence that the hibiscus plant and the frangipani tree were flowering. My arrival was well greeted by them. I brought them in and immediately placed them inside the vase. For a lovely journey through the length of Sarawak ( almost) I name this composition as...Happy to be back in Kuching.

Oriental Rhapsody

2008-07-30T04:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I did the compositions based on the rose and canna flowers. Today I continue using the same flowers but have placed them in a yellow bamboo culm like so.

Arrangement # 55

Here I have retained some fresh leaves of the bamboo to give that 'Chinese painting' strokes effect to the composition. To accentuate the sense of height to the composition I added four leaves of the variegated ophiopogon (Ophiopogon jaburan variegatum). Landscapers usually use the ophiopogon as a cover plant and typically planted en masse. It is a low perennial turf with pale green/white linear leaves.

Arrangement # 56

In the above composition, I have kept the bamboo culm standing on a banana leaf and placed the fragrant flowers of the White Ginger Lily ( Hedychium coronarium ) at the base to add interest and overall scent to the room. Can't resist to call this composition...Oriental Rhapsody

Simple But Elegant

2008-07-29T06:38:00.000-07:00

Sometime early last month when I was in Kuching, friends of mine gave me a few rooted cuttings of roses ( Rosa ) and a couple of canna rootstocks.I like canna especially the newly hybrid species which have more modern colours. I have never been a diehard fan of roses but to my surprise I saw one in full bloom this morning, the very few roses that I have just begun planting . It has a soft pink colour. Lucky me, next to this tiny rose plant was a canna hybrid with one stalk in full flowers. With these two flowers in hand the concept I had in mind was' simple yet elegant '.How would I express it with a rose an a canna?

In its simplest form I thought , the presentation above is very economical, minimalist, back to basics, simple and straight. The yellow bamboo culm is used to enhance the uniqueness and stately nature of the flower.

Arrangement # 54

Lastly to add interest to the composition , I threw in three leaves of the begonia plant . I will now leave you to admire the composition while I recite Shakespeare on roses:
Of all flowers ,
Methinks a rose is best
Why gentle madam?
It is the very embleme of a maide
For when the west wind courts her gently,
How modestly she blows, and paints the sun,
With her chaste blushes.

Now methinks, the above composition should be named......Simple But Elegant.

In Memory Of.......

2008-07-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 53

I was walking around my chalet late this afternoon when the fragrance in the air directed me to a pair of flowering White Ginger Lily ( Hedychium coroncarium ). Instinctly I made a cutting of them and looked around for some foliage to match. The colourful young foliage of the Penaga ( Mesua ferrea) or sometimes referred to as Ironwood Tree and the showy Golden Netbush ( Pseuderanthemum reticulatum) crossed my path. Then I thought I needed another colour to add variety and mood. I went to a corner of the garden where I planted bignonia( Bignonia magnifica) and took three flowering stalk. Happy with the collection I rushed in to my study room and made a composition which is difficult to describe in words but in brief represented youth, fragrance, mellow feeling , a feeling of losing someone dear .....I therefore dedicate this composition to.......In Memory Of........

Flower Boat Series ( 1)

2008-07-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 52

Today I decided to make a floral arrangement based on the idea of the 'flower boat '. This will be the first in the series. Today's arrangement included two types of red and deep orangish flowers and the white gardenias. They are placed on a young frond of the bird's nest fern ( Asplenium nidus) and some broad leaves of the Red Ti ( Cordyline terminalis) and the banana leaf.

Parrot Flower and Warm Delights

2008-07-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

Arrangement#51

Three types of flowers struck my senses today and they come in various tones and hues of bright yellow, orange, light pink, pale red and blood red. Such an interesting array of warm colours fill my heart to the brim of joy. The parrot flower ( Heliconia psittacorum) was my top tier choice , the middle rung was filled with slightly older inflorescences of bleeding hearts ( Clerodendrum thomsoniae) and the foreground was a crowd of hibiscus hybrid. Would very much like to name the composition....Parrot flower and warm delights.

Mistaken Me

2008-07-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Arrangement# 50

The composition I do today is entitled ' Mistaken Me' for a reason. I had this particular parrot flower (Heliconia psittacorum) which I collected a few months ago and today bore its first infloresscene. It has dull orange bracts and green tipped. This inflorescence is much smaller than the other two parrot flower varieties that I added in to the display.One having very bright orange colours and the other dark yellow colours. When I discovered the dull orange variety flowering today, my enthusiasm increased and I spent sometime looking for more facts. I found these interesting facts:

The word 'Heliconia' is derived from 'Mount Helicon" which was the Greek Seat of the Muses.
Heliconia belongs to the ' Musaceae ' family i.e. the Banana family and though related to the 'Bird of Paradise ' they are not of the same species since the Bird of Paradise' belongs to the Strelitzia.
Heliconia psittacorum have canna like leaves and therefore wrongly referred to as 'Japanese Canna'. For some others, they just call it simply ' False Japanese Canna'

A CU view of bright orange Parrot Flower( Heliconia psittacorum)

A MS view of dark yellow Parrot Flower ( Heliconia psittacorum)

The red fruits from the curry leaves tree are added to suggest the idea that my earlier venture in planting this new heliconia variety at my farm has borne fruits.

Hopefully from now on I will not mistake the heliconia with the strelitzia. Else it's just like getting confused between a 'parrot' with the 'bird of paradise'.

In their silence, they seem to tell me....Don't Mistake Me Again :)

My Local Maiden

2008-07-24T05:23:00.000-07:00

Arrangement# 49

Lest I forget, there is a local beauty this is well, just ordinary,a commoner, mundane and oh! so beautiful. Today I take pride in composing an arrangement for this special beauty of mine. The flower is large and yellow with pale cream stamens. The seeds pod once split opened reveals red-fleshed seeds that are appetising to the birds. The mature leaves are used as 'throw away plates', young leaves are eaten raw as salad and sometimes used to wrap fermented rice overnight. It is such a useful plant that a lot of people take it for granted. It is the Shrubby Dillenia ( Dillenia suffruticosa) which the locals in Bintulu call ' Simpoh Air). To know more about this plant please check it out at my other weblog.

After what's said and done,I call the above composition...My Local Maiden.

Fragrant Lady

2008-07-23T03:10:00.000-07:00

I consider myself lucky today to have stumbled upon this fragrant White Ginger beauty ( Hedychium coronarium ) as I started to start my daily inspection routine. The one above is just ten meters behind my chalet and without further ado I brought it in to have its scent perfume the living room. Observe the green flower spike from which popped out ten white satiny blooms. Its lush green leaves are charateristic of the species which is prevalent from India right to the South East Asian region , and therefore native even to places like Bintulu. They love semi-shade conditions and rich peaty soil.

Arrangement # 47

I have endeavoured firstly to make a simple presentation, clean and simple. Just a flower spike of ten blooms, a heliconia inflorescence with its outer bracts removed and a few petals of yellow allamanda in a glass filled with water to make the blooms last till tonight . Indeed the White Ginger fragrance can last for at least one full day and night long. Who needs room refresher? Upon further reflection I feel that something is missing. This first display looks kind of simple , yet elegant. So I call this display simply...White Fragrance.

Arrangement # 48

I quickly rushed out to get two broad leaves , in order to accentuate the broad-petalled flowers of the hedychium and its deep green flower spike. Some people also name this plant Ginger Lily, probably on account of it being an excellent cut flower. Anyway, I feel I have achieved what I thought has been missing in the first display. With another stalk of heliconia added the impression of slender dance-like fingers of a young lady is achieved. By the way, the fragrance is heady strong even while I am typing this post. This White Ginger must be the sweetest of all. It would be unthinkable if I don't name this composition...Fragrant Lady.

Bright Youthful Days

2008-07-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

Arrangement # 46

What arrangement can I do today in ten minutes and still looks , well..good? It has been raining the whole day yesterday ( 21/7) and this morning it continues to shower heavily since dawn. Therefore I decided to do a very quick presentation. Yellow allamandas ( Allamanda cathartica) are in abundance in my farm. With an umbrella ready I went out in the rain and collected a few bunches of trumpet-like yellow allamanda flowers. Rushed back to my chalet ( I call home) and placed them in a nice little vase, next to a clay statue that I did as an art student forty years ago. There you are ! A ten minutes presentation done and a wonderful reminder of my youthful days some forty years ago.

The Allamanda shrub plant are now grown every where in Malaysia and a favourite for landscaped gardens, parks or homes due to its free flowering nature, rich and glossy green leaves and easy maintenenace. They can be easily propagated by cuttings and thus easily obtainable in large quantities if you decide to plant them in long beds to enjoy its masses of yellow colours later.

Wow, it takes more time for me to draft this blog post than make the above composition. Anyhow, I would like to call the above composition.....Bright Youthful Days.

My Mild White Beauty

2008-07-20T23:47:00.000-07:00

There is a beautiful white bougainvillea plant in front of my chalet that has been flowering about a week ago. It has been on my mind for quite sometime before to make a composition based on the white bougainvillea( Bougainvillea glabra alba) . First, I would like to introduce one of my favourite bougainvillea species called Bougainvillea poultinii that have striking dark pink/red bracts as shown below. I took this picture while on the way to attend Friday prayers at Bintulu's Assyakiriin Mosque sometime ago.

The beauty of the white vaiety can be seen from the picture on the right . Its colours are almost snow white. For that matter the white variety is normally referred to as ' alba' meaning white. As can be seen here, bogainvilleas are extremely showy on well-drained soil and best planted in the open sun. They can be planted in pots, beds, planter boxes, pergolas, arches and many more places where you think a good display of climbers and colours is required. Besides white, bougainvilleas appear in colours of red, pink, purple, orange, yellow or in combinations on the same plant.

LaLately it is quite fashionable to plant bougainvilleas in oversized pots. It is generally acknowledged that bougainvilleas can thrive in restricted areas like in potty environment since this practice will encourage flowering because pots tend to stress the roots, thus stimulating the plant to flower.

My choice today is the white bogainvllea that stands pretty in front of my chalet. Just this morning ( 21/7) I cut a stalk and placed it in a green perforated clay vase. To keep in tune with the general tones and hues of white and green of the composition, I placed a few variegated white/green leaves of the caladium and polyscias species to give a fresh green wash to the composition. By doing so I thought would render the white brilliance more mild.. thus I call this composition....My Mild White Beauty.

Arrangement# 45