Tropical colours

Arrangement #150 ~ Tropical colour

Today's colours are warm, hot and tropical. From the garden I have collected the light brown bracts of the Calathea lutea. The yellow and deep orange colours of the parrot flower or Heliconia psittacorum matched well with the crimson colours of the Costus woodsonii. The golden colours of the yellow hibiscus add a heartening glow to the whole composition. Such warmth and vibrant colours are typical of tropical flowers. For that I call this composition...Tropical Colours.

Another view of the composition taken inside the house.

Outside, Inside

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

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.

Saturday Matinee

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.

Colourful Bracts

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.

Hot on Heels

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.

Parrot flower, Firebrand and Red Ginger

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.

A Vibrant New Year

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.

Ixora coccinea,Heliconias and Variegated Cordyline

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.

The Glow of Plumeria Obtusa flowers

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.

In Parrot- like Fashion

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

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.

To be equal or be fair? Is the question.

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

Focus on the Plumeria Rubra

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

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

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

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

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

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.

The Parrot Flower

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.