Pithecellobium dulce "variegated" Tamarind or Madras Thorn

Pithecellobium dulce is commonly known as "Variegated Madras Thorn", "Manila Tamarind", Sweet Inga" or "Monkey Pod". This plant originated in Mexico and Central America. This type of ornamental plant requires minimal care, making it ideal for occasional ornamental gardener.

Propagation, Planting & Maintenance

Propagate using seeds which germinates a week or so. Once the seedling is already almost a foot high, transfer it to a bigger bag or pot. Or, marcot to be sure! Place transplanted plants under the shade. During the first days after transferring, leaves may fall but do not worry because this is natural. Once the plant is already established in its container, transfer it to full sun. Although it can withstand long periods of low light, foliage is poor.

This hardy plant can survive in any soil and long periods of droughts as well as salinity.

Madras is also a good specimen for bonsai because it can tolerate severe pruning. In fact, if you have the variegated variety, its beauty of greens and mostly white leaflets with a mix of pink will come out after pruning.

Dracaena Surculosa

my Dracaenas

My Sun Conure & Cockatiel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNhP8kQZg-g

This gerbera was bought at Market Market when I was in Manila last February 3, 2010. I bought it with just 1 flower, after 4 months, it has already been flowering plus additional 2 more little "mini me's".

Bamboo Orchids, Arundina Gramnifolia

Bamboo Orchid, Arundina Gramnifolia, is a full tropical terrestrial sun loving plant. The stems can grow to 1.5 meters. Its flowers are at the very top which blooms one flower at a time. This orchid is a tropical Asiatic plant but become "invasive" and naturalized to other tropical countries outside Asia. It blooms all year round!

In my garden, I plant them in a high humus moist retention potting medium. Because I have to expose it to full sun (with some shade during noon time), the soil must be always moist.

If you have just bought one, treat it with TLC and it will surprise you one flower at a time!

Sun Conure

I really enjoyed watching my Sun Conure. They can be very noisy if I will not say "hello" to them or give something, usually a "malunggay" leaf. Sometimes, I would let them kiss my lips. The sound they create sometimes is deafening. These babies are demanding with attention but worth every second.

Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth if left in the wild will post a problem due to being invasive. But when controlled, the weed can be a beautiful ornamental plant in every garden pond. In our place, only half of the pond is covered with water hyacinth. When they flower, beautiful!

spathoglottis

Another shots of my spathoglottis collection. Honestly, I have no idea the names of these varieties. I still have 4 other varieties which are not in bloom. Maybe before the end of this year, they will bloom. Hopefully somebody will help me find their names. :-)

A visit to Balanan Lake, Siaton, Negros Oriental

The lake while we're on the bangka. Love it!
This is where we stayed for a night. The veranda provides a scenic view of the lake.

Balanan Lake, Siation, Negros Oriental: we visited last 2007.
Lake Balanan is a freshwater rift lake situated in Siaton, in the southern portion of the province Negros Oriental, Philippines. The lake is has three primary inflows all located in the northern end. These are Balanan, Lamarao and Nasig-id Creeks.
At around 5 pm on May 5, 1925, the town was hit by an earthquake triggering a landslide that created a natural dam blocking the waters of Balanan River creating the lake.

Strawberry

. . . they are sweet . . . mmmmmmmmmmm . . . . want some?

Vanda

These orchids are already 3 years in my garden . . . . but still I don't know their names . . . huhuhu.

Vanda

Cattleya

Got these from my sister. We do not know what cattleya varieties are these . . . . . please comment.

spathoglottis

Got these two varieties of spathoglottis when we went to Mabinay. I would like to thank the owner of the house where we stopped over for a shade for giving me these. The flowers lasted for more than six months . . . . they just continued to flower . . . . beautiful indeed!