My parent and the only daughter we had. These pictures making session, so traditional. The Chinese like to have pictures taken regularly. for handing down to future generations.  The quality of colours and durability of those early days pictures were in severe doubts which proved to be true

March 1975

June 1976

10. Ban Seng Garden -We had our next baby

It's July 1976 another new baby came. It is very time consuming to resotre the picture into one with respectable quality

June 1976

11. New baby outside the house

Sorry, I could not do much about this picture. This is best I could go but a precious take. Just to show that while it is tedious to recover old pictures, there are those, which it is nearly impossible.

15th, July 1976

12. Typical Chinese but one for the album, family & house

We had a new member to the family. So, an example of picture that  I got done with better results.

15th August 1978

13. Baby now 2 year old

One more memorable shot with the old house, before we leave it perpectually.

3rd, August 1978

14 Damansara Jaya House ready

We shifted in to this new house. We were among the earliest residents. We had eagerly waited for it to be ready. Looking back, also nice to see everything and every where bereft of people and barang

3rd, August 1978

15. The indoor Garden.

The Indoor Garden was also quickly transferred in and new arrangement set up.  Fitted snugly inside the built in void of the house's design. Up to this point, the page would be able to keep track of our efforts in greening the house.

 First - almost all plants were acquired during the time when we stayed in the rented house in Paramount Garden i.e. around 1969, after the May 13th incidence. The mindset then, we were not tuned to collecting plants species, but just keeping greens inside the house as a hobby. In hindsight, we had not kept records of the looks of our gardens for both houses. Just to show how well we kept our indoor gardens in Paramount and Ban Seng. All we got now were glimpses from the accidental shots showing plants in the Ban Seng house. These are not clear deliberate shots.

October 1978

16 Good picture - showed the state of readiness in the house

Very swiftly, the house furnishing and the garden scene, We had settled down

21st, October 1978

17. Wow! A 2.5 kilo Haruan Fish

Sorry, the quality of his picture is below par but a good reminder of the days that I was a fishing kaki. The Monstera plant in the background were big then

 

21st, January 1979

18. More pictures from indoor garden

It was during the typical CNY period, that we had the camera out and started making records.

11th, March 1979

19. Another hobby of mine - collecting old Sports Car

We started with this very first car! A "MGB" I found lying at the Petrol station in Jalan University. Two things here! I did my own refurbishment of old cars. Secondly, looking at the fence, 6 months since we shifted in, the hedges well formed

 poo

July 1979

20. Nearly coming to a year since we shifted into this new house.

Apart from what we transferred, not much new plants were acquired. Can see from this pictures, the fencing facing the main road still lined basic plants.

5th, August 1979

21. My car to go Fishing with.

Yes, very good good car. Took me off road and going into the sandy patches of tin mines area and returning home safely. We also went into wild wetlands bushes of Kampong Rajah in Teluk Anson

8th, October 1979

22. Just look at the Entrance of the house around that time

Here are a couple of pictures done in that same roll of film - first the entrance

8th, October 1979

23. From picture earlier - 4 months later Changed

second the garden scene at the front Lawn

11th, April 1980

24. We had dogs - they too grew

We love playful dogs - Dalmatians. Now remembering and seeing picture with our pet dog - Joey

11th, April 1980

25. Our past time - playing with them

Left right Mango trees. It was the trend then to keep Mango trees in garden

13th, February 1981

26. The 1981 view

26. The front - with old and new Sports cars. The MGB & Colt Celeste. Also compliments from the CNY roll of film.

30th, March 1981

27.Big girl & big dog

By 1981, we were really settled down. Life back to normal

22nd, June 1981

28. Mango tree had grown

We were getting to taste our own fruits. "King Mango" after  2 years after nurturing

5th, November 1982

29. The younger ones grew up as well

It was over a year now - from the last picture above

5th, November 1982

30. We had big and small dogs

Fluffy was added, cannot remember how she joined the family

17th, April 1983

31. Helen joined the garden & photo session

In the 3rd year, now we had a visitor in the night

17th, April 1983

32. More pictures

She went all over the few garden plots for her different scenes

18th July 1983

33. Whole family welcoming the car

Look at our garden in the background  and by the roadside. Taken when we brought the Honda Prelude home. With events, we were gifted with an impression how our surroundings then would have looked like

18th, July 1983

34. Both Sports Cars

We brought the new Honda Prelude back. We had the 2 cars together before we disposed off the older Celeste

15th, November 1983

35. Meet Gerald

Remembered him as a cheeky boy that required "well" some shouting!

22nd, April 1984

36 Good - The Bougainvillaea and White Ford Laser

The trend then was to have  Sports Car painted fully in white, we followed.

20th, August 1984

37. A very pleasing looks!

Both the model & our indoor garden - well matured and better organised. Oh! important - this "garden" was eventually given up - dismantled

20th, August1984

38. New Baby in the block

This is Chin Er - the kid from the next generation

28th, July 1985

39. Our Mitsubishi Colt Lancer

Yes, I need that picture for the Bougainvillea "Mahatir's"  bush,  The spot where I fell down while trimming and broke my wrist

22nd, August 1984

40. MG "B" GT brought home

We acquired the MG "B" GT to compliment our fleet of Sports Cars

26th, October 1989

41. My Rambutan Tree

At last, I found it. Thanks Helen, for helping me to make this picture. I couldn't retieve pictures of this important tree

991

3rd, January 1991

42. My Front Lawn

The house is so orientated with the front door at the back of the house. So, I decided to name this compound as - Front. The other where we enter in and exit with the term "entrance".

My models showing the scene at the front garden then. Picture is a bit blur but can still make out that the staghorn was not planted yet . Look carefully, "Money plats" was climbing up the palm tree

20th, January 1991

43. Karaoke started in Damansara Jaya

The day karaoke singing was first launched in my house. So quickly that event was 30 years ago.

20th July 1991

44. Entrance of house

Yes, Entrance compound!. A look at the scene at the entrance for that year

2nd, October 1992

45. Sunbeam Alpine under Rambutan Tree

We had 3 Sports car parked at the entrance porch. Plus our saloon cars for daily use, there wasn't any more space. We rented the services of a lift and had this Sunbeam raised our the fencing and had it parked at the front compound.

10th, September 1994

46. MG"B"GT with house

The MG"B" GT was painted Red and back home. Here mummy posing for the album

11th, September 1995

47. Our Adventure days

Jackie with "Shampoo" - [Zingiber spectabile] or ginger flowers, Collected from our outing to "Lepok Waterfall" that morning

26th, December 1998

48. Cactus & the Dalmatian

This was Cactus shed No.1. This picture was made because of Whamby, the Dalmation dog, and not for the sake of showing the Cactus.

49. My Cactus shed No.1

Finally it was by accident the picture album on cactus surfaced and here are the pictures.Starting with this Shed No 1

50. My Cactus shed No.2

With the different family

51. My Cactus shed No.3

Yes, It was very time consuming and the cactus having very slo growth that is taxing.

53. My Cactus garden

My attempt in making a small Cactus garden

Having gone through this first round of pictures, I hope you do see that all pictures are made to show the moods and people in those moment of time. They do not give clear view of plants. That's it. The focus was not on the plants, which this page was all about. Now, in the next lot of pictures, you will se the differences, plants are given more attention.

A Void -10 years 1991-2000

After tallying up the pictures that I could lay my hands on to prepare this page, I was slightly taken back that I could not set aside any pictures for use for a long time. Almost 10 years! The so-called "Hell" & "Glorious" Years for me. Well, I did managed to get some some! This is the period at the tail end of the analogue photo era. 

Slowly I recalled that work wise in 1991, I was promoted into a position that l never like. Working in the new era and with people who do not share my values. Well, those were really tough years for me. No mood to attend to garden or home. Then at the time, I must have scouted for antidote.  In 1993 found a relief, I started to do Toast mastering. Followed up in 1995, I went into doing light photography in caves. One thing led to another - Waterfall hunting.

I was eventually released in 1997. Very happy and in real retirement, I must quickly settled down to work on my new life Like having a hobby. That's an understatement as I was already having so many on hand. But physically I did do something different. Turns out to be an odd interest - Starting a Cactus garden!. Very tedious and with negligible and slow rewards. Switched to something closer to home and easier - Ginger Flowers! Time showed that I was never made out to be s planter.

Other distraction came. I gave up what I planned but also followed my heart to living the adventurous life of traveling into Thailand. That era of 1995-98, was capped off by the coming of Y2K in 1999. 

I did traced back this space of 10 years and the reasons why I could not find suitable pictures to support my write up. The children grew up, paying attention to home and garden. We made trips to places like Langkawi. Then my personal trips to Thailand etc.  Pictures accumulated from these trips do not fit into this theme " Home & Garden"

After the Millennium, comes the digital age from 2001. I do not have picture from my garden for that year as I was still roaming all over the paces But in 2002, I started to look into my garden. Not so much as scenes from my gardens, but the topic was so wide. I have instead a mixture of garden scenes and dedicated picture of flora and fauna

4th, September 2002

49. My "Ginger" Garden

Here is a picture of my Red Torch - Etlingera elatior - Bunga Kantan  partially opened

 5th, June 5th, June 2002

50. My Nappi Garden

Here a picture of my Heliconia garden. This plot still healthy and doing very well after I abandoned the project. I was slowly phasing myself over to doing bird watching from 1998. Anyway I am very happy to have kept this souvenir picture. One of the very best take I am having

Same date

51 An unkempt corner.

Here, I wanna show my staghorn. Left neglected under the shade

17th August 2002

52. Migrating Honey Bees found a spot

The nest was only momentarily on the tree for a couple of days. Eventually the bees found that the location was not that right. They abandoned the nest.

13th, September 2002

53.Rambutan fruits!

Cannot tell now why this sot was taken, It could be the first time that I am getting fruits from the newly planted tree

Same date

54. My Cactus plant flowering

I had dismantled the Cactus Garden and sheds! Transformed and planted that part of the garden with Heliconias Plants. There were just too many pots and these remnants started flowering after the plants reached maturity

2nd, February 2003

55. The young Bougainvillea Plant

Same scene as the next picture but different angle. This is to remember how small or short this plant was when we first placed it there

2nd, February 2003

56. The twin "MG"s in the porch.

Besides the cars, Watch the plants too. The trend then were collecting hanging Petunia flowering plants

3rd, February 2003

57. Heavy rain in the front compound

Beside being blinded by the heavy rain, quite a few Psittacorum "Sassy", planted as a bush. The Heliconia Nappi yellow was growing wild, almost out of control.

29th, April 2003

58. Petunia flowering plants

Barely a couple of months later, this was already another lot of plants with different colours. These plants, if taken care of properly, could survive up to 2 years, but for each flowering session - the flowers would last only for a week.

My My 12th, May 2004

59. My Heliconia Garden

So happy I found this picture, almost rare picture of my favourite hobby at one time. Here, most precious was one plot of Dwarf Heliconias. Not a common plant in the nursery, Today, planting of Heliconias is outdated, leave alone doing a collection of rare species. Of course, remember the very wild "Concodor" in the centre. After keeping the plant for a while, it showed how Heliconias in the wild as wild weeds could spread easily.

4th, June 2004

60. New baby on the block

The baby could walk fairly well. Using him as a model, we got a full view of the compound with matured Heliconia plants all round. Reminded us, that we had a good size bush of "Sexy Pink", my favourite species.

26th June

26th, June 2004

61. Plants in the front porch

At last, a picture of that good size Staghorn plant hanging on the Red Palm Tree

27th, April 2005

62. An inflorescence of "Alpinia galanga" flowers

But does look like from my garden, I think it is "Lengkuas" flower borrowed from the garden of my Penang House

6th, February 2006

63. A Female Koel

The bird just landed in the entrance's compound right at the boundary wall. Very unusual for a Koel to be seen on ground level

9th, March 2006

64. A pair of fledged Bulbul chicks

Outside my house, this Bauhinia x blakeana  hybrid tree was the left over, the developer's effort to beautify the garden with ornamental tree

28th, November, 2006

65. Bulbul nest with newly hatched young chicks

This happening was taking place inside our car porch and in the midst of the Dracaena surculosa bush. A regular spot chosen by the birds for several breeding. So far, not a single nest had being successful, as I could count. In the final stage, the chicks were stolen

28th, November 2006

66. Crape Malay Ginger

A plant that I never planted but grew on its own in my garden [Cheilococtus speciosus] or crepe ginger

12th, December 2007

67. A pink Alpina Purpurata

This is a very common plant in today's scene in my garden. This picture could be a picture from the early days when I first acquired the plant from Penang. Common names include:- Red Ginger, Ostrich plume, pink cone ginger. My cultivar is really Jungle Queen as it grows up to 4 feet tall, larger than the conventional species

12th, July 2007

68. Bauhinia Flowers

Again looking back, this could be the first time that the plant flowered. Today, I am still having this same plants and having prolific amount of flowers daily through out the year.

12th, December 2007

69.Ripening Rambutan Fruits

This is indeed a rare picture for me. Fruits from the original tree. This picture taken from outside the road. Look forward and you will see this tree chopped and reduced to a fraction of its size

5th, April 2007

70. A dying Staghorn plant

I have anchored the 2 staghorn plants on the truck of the reduced Rambutan Tree. The Staghorn original anchorage, the host tree, Red Palms were dying. I have to relocate my Staghorn Plants to another home points temporarily

20th, January 2009

71. The Sport Cars Parked at the Porch of the Entrance

Yes! The covered area could take in the 3 Sport Cars leaving the open area for 2 other units of saloon.

21st, July 2009

72. Last pictures for the MGB

We had decided to disposed off all  the Sport Cars. The MGB my favourite was the last to go. So before it was gone forever, we did quite q few photo session to keep our memories alive.

22nd, March 2010

73. Asian Palm Civet

 At last got a shot of the mid-night raider - Paradoxurus hermaphroditus

15th, November 2010

74. Dexter Harvesting Rambutan

This must be the very last picture of my favourite Rambutan tree. It was eventually removed from the garden

24th, December 2010

75. The refugee Staghorn

A picture pf the Staghorn temporary kept in the middle of a Bauhinia bush. I think this plant eventually dies of suffocation

10th, March 2011

76. Overall Update on the garden

Having a feeling that I missed out many scenes from my garden, I made few attempts to make series of of pictures for the whole garden. Did that a few times over the years. Still - many scene escaped my watchful eyes This is the first set, Starting with - The Front garden - left side

10th, March 2011

77, Roadside Matoa Tree

Front garden left side, all the way towards the mai road. Here the Matao  Fruit Tree - Pometia pinnata. On the remnants of what was the Rambutan tree trunk hung 2 Staghorn Ferns. The refuse-to-die Heliconia Lobster Claw -Heliconia rostrata

10th, March 2011

78. Front Edge fronting Main Road

Very bare frontage with one left over Heliconia plant. Then some odd plants - Acalypha hispida, the chendille plnt and not mistaken a Melastoma plant

10th, March 2011

79. On the left - Mr Siew's side , empty no plants

Yes, the heliconias were just removed, awaiting for inspiration to start another feature garden

10th, March 2011

80. At the indoor Garden corner

What was left of the Staghorn pants! there were already 2 plants on the Rambutan tree. Here at least saw what remains of former glory. The Staghorn fern clinging to the Red Palm Trees

10th, March 2011

81. View of the right frontage. Looking inwards

This corner would eventually be sealed up and became part of the shaded patio. Last look of what it was.

10th, March 2011

82. Left side of Patio

The remaining Red Dragon Heliconia. Plus one time we had a Custard Apple tree. Technically it is Sugar Apple, Sweet sop and scientifically - Annona Squamosa

7th, June 2011

83. Fast forward to June

This is an Orange hybrid Rosa sinensis

13th August 2011

84. Bougainvillea at Car Porch

This was a replacement bush that we brought to conceal the pillar at the porch. It was a low plant just about 8 feet tall.

13th, August 2011

85. Then more unusual plant

Japanese Morning Glory - Ipomoea nil with quite a few common names Picotee Morning Glory or Ivy Morning Glory

13th, August 2011

86. The "Ganja" Plant

This is Kenaf - Hibiscus cannabinus is a native to southern Asia. The stem is cultivated for its fibre. The fibre would then be used to be made into rope, twine, coarse cloth and paper. Attracted me when I found sample at the Selangor coast and its leaves has similarity with hat of Marijuana plants

13th, August 2011

87. The looks of my entrance

The Kenaf plant, an assortment of Hibiscus. Then the Bamboo clump took centre stage

13th, August 2011

88. Walk back and take a far away view

Two clumps of Bamboo. One inside the compound and another on the roadside. Intereting to know what was going o inside the head then.

13th, August 2011

89. Extension of Garden

Could see there was keenness in planting and having more plants for the garden. But what poor choices. The drain was covered to make more space too

13th, August 2011

90. A close up

Hibiscus cannabinus

13th, August 2011

91. In the front garden -  filled with Morning Glory

Same plants, Morning Glory, Kenaf and Hibiscus

13th, August 2011

92. Bauhinia out growing the remnants of Rambutan tree

Interesting to note

13th, August 2011

93. Dark purple Melastoma

Sucessfully got the plant blooming - Melastoma malabathrium or Senduduk

13th, August 2011

94. Double petal Orange Hibiscus

This is a fairly tall plants and also good in blooming exceptional large flowers

1st, November 2011

95. Check up progress made by Bauhinia Plants

Grew so well so much so none of the Rambutan leaves could thrive

11th, January 2012

96. Regular Sunbird visitors

Indian head Ginger Flowers - Costus speciosus. Grew very well and collectively thick bushes. Here the flowers attracted Brown-throated Sunbird making regular visit to the plants whole day long.

 

8th, February 2013

97. A huge Javanese Grass Hopper

The Valanga nigricornis is a common insect i our garden. Could grow up to 55 mm long. Very robust looking bug

13th, April 2013

98. Bougainvillea with bud grafted branches

At the entrance, bamboo trees doing well. Must be hot weather A single plant with multiple branches of different colours flowers

13th, June 2013

99. Front garden - Red Palm Corner

The very tall tree at the end of their lives. This corner was targeted for renovation. Last look at the place before it is gone forever

13th, August 2013

100. Our Bamboo clumps

Here is a view of the 2 clumps of Bamboo plants. One located inside our compound and another by the roadside

3rd, October 2013

101. Orange Hibiscus - blooming so often

Months passed still blooming

28th, November 2013

102. Meet Eva

Our regular karaoke kaki. This day she paid us a visit in the daylight hours

25th, November 2013

103. Front Patio  - the new looks

With that old corner, old Red Palm trees gone. We have got a full breath Patio

25th, November 2013

104. A square shared by 2 Staghorn plants

New plants trendy then Chinese fringe flower [Loropetalum chinense] & Caladium lindenii, A few other plants. New look, new ambience and therefore new form of garden to match or to be generated

25th, November 2013

104. Another trendy plant

Aglaia duperreana is a small shrub, which originated from Vietnam became a darling for those doing landscaping. We joined the band wagon too.

25th, November 2013

105. Calathea and Bird Nest Ferns

Centre piece is my "rocking saddle stone" with more new plants

 

25th, November 2013

106. Close-up Chinese Fringe Flower plant

In the back ground, a bush of Indian Head Ginger plants

25th, November 2013

107. Ahgiopteris evecta? King Fern, Giant Fern

On first glance definitely look like those we saw on the road side going up to Genting. never seen them going well in lowlands. The plant looks healthy but we had no idea how to keep it

25th, November 2013

108. Overall Update on the garden

Front garden left side

25th, November 2013

109. Overall Update on the garden

Front garden left side

 

13th, December 2013

110. Matoa Fruit tree

Green young unripe fruits Now what is missing would be a shot of the brown ripen fruit

8th, March 2014

111. Garden more matured now

The Chinese Fringe flowers raised.

8th, March 2014

112. Garden looked more matured, walkway now lined with Bougainvillea

Front garden left side

8th, March 2014

113. The Iconic Jasmine plants

The neighbour when shifting out had passed over to us her precious collection of Jasmine plants. Found the picture and the date to commemorate this inheritance

14th, April 2014

114. How productive and important - Matao tree to my hobby

Here a Coppersmith Barbet taking off from the tree

26th, August 2014

115. Look at the entrance side

We had an antiquated Bougainvillea with lilac flower. On the roadside curb plants with 2 bushes of Hibiscus. Here is one with the "Red Dragon" species

26th, August 2014

116. The Double layer "Red Dragon" full view

See carefully, its equivalent in light orange colour, the "Capitolio Sports", Funny no presence of mind to make proper pictures of the Orange flowered Hibiscus

26th, August 2014

117. Bird Nest Fern from Australia

Bird's Nest Fern "Asplenium 'Crissi", It does not fit into our impression how a "Bird Nest Fern" should look like

26th, August 2014

118. Monstera both species

A good collection of old and contemporary species of plants. For me, a good reminder of how healthy were both my Monstera Plants seen in the back ground

26th, August 2014

119.  The Staghorns

This picture shows a third and young Staghorn plant being hung up besides the 2 older plants

27th, January 2015

120. The Matao Fruit tree

Almost irresistible, bird watching. Here a female Green Pigeon taking off from the tree an heading into places inside my garden

27th, January 2015

121. A male Pink-necked Green Pigeon

Yes, this male and female, pair of them were resident or are still residents of our housing area. Sometimes it will perch on the wire just in front of our house

30th, January 2015

122. The size Whole Matao Fruit Tree

Picture that I always wanted, those 3 trees Matao planted by Mr Siew, my immediate neighbour, along the main road kerb.

30th, January 2015

123. Caladium bicolour - Cultivar -"Wildfire"

Strong wind came and topple over a pot holding the Chinese Fringe Flowers

30th, January 2015

124. Change of mood - Bitter Gourd

The white coloured Taiwanese Bitter Gourd ready for harvesting

9th, February 2015

125. Suspended Boston Fern - Nephrolepis exaltata

Also known as Sword Fern from the tropical region could grow up to 1.5 meters long

9th, February 2015

126. Finally Bamboo dying

What started as a fancy after months of admiring and sufferings, the Bamboo plants decided to call it quit. Rather unusual as Bamboo are hardy plants. The daily sweeping of the dried leaves and the urging of the neighbour to get rid of the plants.

9th, February 2015

127. Caladium once more after a month

This bush was quite hardy, now after one month of healthy looking leaves.

17th, March 2015

128. Ferns! Ferns! ferns!

Boston hanging overhead and Bird Nest resting on the ground level

17th, March 2015

129. A check on those at the entrance

These couple of pots elevated seemed to be fairing better.

17th, March 2015

130. The Waterfall Corner

Centrepiece was the Maidenhair . My Monstera was dong well and finally got disposed by wife.

17th, March 2015

131. Common Cattail, broad-leaved Cat's tail, great Reed Mace, Bulrush Spadices, and its scientific name is:- Typha latifolia,

Had it planted and it flowered once, but finally the decision was too much work in learning how to maintain this wild plant

17th, March 2015

132. My "Kahwined" Bougainvillea

The plant taken from the plot at the entrance. Now the new branches extended had the treet grew high up. Perpetually flowering

17th, March 2015

133. Golden Chalice Vine - Solandra Grandiflora

That was the centre piece for the fence at one time Impressive gigantic trumpet flower

17th, March 2015

134. Oh! I used to have a Sleepy Mallow or Wax Mallow - Malvaviscus arboreus

This plant half concealed on the right edge of this picture, has tiny Hibiscus flowers. Nectar is a big draw to Sunbird. That was why the plant was kept in the garden

21st, March 2015

135. Oh! The Matao Fruit Tree and Coppersmith Barbet

See the frequencies I get these pictures and how often all kinds of birds making stops in my garden

1st, April 2015

136. Same Matao Tree as sanctuary and another Pigeon

So often I get to shot only the female Pigeon bird

24th, April 2015

137. Time to Harvest Bitter Gourd

After the initial ripening, in later stage from the spread the plants have multiple ripeninsg daily

8th, May 2015

138. For the Record

This day's collection all laid out on the ground for counting

12th, May 2015

139. New occupants

The Bitter Gourd gone, the Rambutan tree gone!

Two antique Bougainvillea trees in pot stood as sentries in front of the stair way leading to the front gate

26th, May 2016

140 Oops! Your turn. A huge bird

That's the male Koel bird making all the loud call that sounded like its name. See almost every bird that Visit Petaling Jaya must stop at this "Bus Stop"

20th, May 2018

141. Evolving into contemporary looks

These are Pink Alpinia Purpurata or Jungle Queen, scattered among the bushes are the red flowers Jungle King

20th, May 2018

142. From the last episode of Papaya Tree

How to reach the fruits? Better be careful do let the fruits tempt us in getting a fall

2nd, June 2015

143. A Butterfly

This is the Common Mormon-Papilion or Polytes romulus. A a layman, I only known it by its general term Swallow tail

7th, August 2018

144. Congestion cleared!

From the earlier picture of the 2 Bougainvillea trees, Now in the hot season with less foliages, the 2 "Bonsai" Trees seen clearly. Interesting is the White needle plant in the back ground or partially at the right edge - a "Yucca filamentosa" or Adam's Needle Yucca

7th, August 2018

145. The Alpinia keeps appearing over and over again

Now this is a picture of the mixed bushes or Pink and Red

7th, August 2018

146 Collection of White coloured Cholophytum comosum

Here was my collection until they all died

7th, August 2018

147. Another view from the outside looking in

This needle looking plant is Sprenger's Asparagus Fern, poisonous to dog

7th, August 2018

148. Final home to the Staghorns

With new support all the plants given their position

7th, August 2018

149. Family of Staghorns

Another look -inside looking out

16th, February 2019

Pretty Ladies in a row

They are all members of the Karaoke Group, here gathering for a CNY Get Together

6th, April 2019

150. Another renovation coming up

The garden cleared, so are the hibiscus and Bougainvillea. Not much that we cols salvage and the plants needed their special anchorage plots

6th, April 2019

151. The new Gate

Workers at Work. the frontage is now opened to 25 feet wide

30th January 2020

152. A new gate and paradigm

We had a small gate! Good enough for one car. That was good and alight. As the rest of the breadth for our tiny garden was utilised as planting plot filled with Hibiscus and Bougainvillaea trees. The wife had other plans! Forget about the garden plot. If the gate could be remade broader, then both cars have the freedom of direct access. Is that imperative? Done! Here is the picture of the new look.

30th January 2020

153 Hall mark of our Garden - old Jasmine flowering trees in row

These are real old trees given by the neighbour. We nurtured it changed its shape and lined them up along our walk path. How it looked like in its initial stage when we took over and when we started having them. Could not find the pictures and date. A consolation prize for seeing them in the front garden before we vacated this site and relocated them to the entrance.

31st February 2020

154. Garden Cleared - new walking path

I could not retrieve the picture when was the first walk way made but so happy that when that one was superseded by this therapeutic path, I have got the date and scene.

25th March 2020

155. My book on Waterfalls of Malaysia

Making myself pleased that the book was finally finished. I couldn't seat in front of the computer to do typing and arranging the pictures. I got my grandson who was still in primary school to help. At last bit by bit we got the pages stitched together and compiled into a book So happy it was done.

28th March 2020

156.  Overall garden & rain collecting

I love taking pictures of rain and its effects on garden

23rd April 2020

157. Pink Rain Lily

Zephyranthes minuta - This is a perennial planted with bulbs. For fun we had tried getting them to line up the edges. Another project that we tried but didn't fancy it so much

29th April 2020

158. Baby tears on the ground

We had made out many pots, to keep replacing those plants that had grown too long. It is easier to replace rather than to re-pot the old ones.

30th April 2020

159. An experiment with Kokedama

This is a Japanese concept but the fads spread over here to Malaysia. All needed was to get hemp string wound it round a ball of soil and put any sort of plants you desire. Best to choose "Air plants". Down side it that the strings have a shelf life and the Kokedama needed maintenance.

30th April 2020

160. Giant Cabuya - Fururaea foetida 'striata"

This plant is native to the Caribbean, now widely cultivated in gardens and public parks. I had a few of these but each blade could grow up to 1.5 meters long with the rosette taking up almost 3 meters wide circle. Most suitable for large gardens and open space

30th, April 2020

161. Sword or Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata is a very common plants in most home garden. It is easy to grow and with minimum maintenance

30th April 2020

162. Tall Slipper Plant - Pedilanthus bracteatus

A succulent from the American dessert but found in many Asian homes garden. All because of is bird shaped flowers. For me the nectar from the flowers is much proffered by Sunbirds too.

30th

30th, April 2020

163. Umbrella Papyrus plant - Cyperus alternifolius

This is a water weed native to Africa and Arabian Peninsula but very common in Malaysia. Another weeds that only needs wet ground and it would continuing growing

30th, April 2020

164. Bauhina Flowers

When mention Bauhinia, the search would point you to the "Hong Kong Orchid". That is not my plant! Mine is "Bauhinia Orange" or Bauhinia kockiana. This is the best plant for the garden and extremely preferred. The flowers are rich vibrant, bright coloured, with wide spread and bloom the whole year round in the same intensity. Look back the earlier part of this page, it is the same plant and up till now, it is still the same plant. How many years? Virtually no maintenance, no watering and no feeding.

30th, April 2020

165. Baby Tears

Soleirolia soleirolii are commonly used as terrariums and in mixed containers. Sort of cover crops. In this instance, we found its use as an "Air Plant" and it quite willing to dangle down for 18 inches. With the right care, we got the plants extending up to 3 feet before the stem couldn't transfer moistures

24th, May 2020

166. Ixora Super King

There are many types of Ixora and perhaps the inflorescence from this species is the largest. Technically known as Ixora coccinea

15th, June 2020

167. Trimming the Chilli padi tree

It is such a tough plant, grew by itself and produced endless amount of fruits daily. Very common trash plant but what is it? This is the "Bird's Eye Chilli" or Thai Chilli, technically named as Capsicum annuum. The plant is native to mexico but growing in the wild in South East Asia and of course planted in garden too.

4th, July 2020

168. Sweet Potatoes leaves

With so many vacant troughs and the need to have our own veggie, Sweet potatoes proved to be the most productive as well as productive plants

24th July 2020

169. Ribbon

Still searching to get the proper name for this flower other than the hear-say. A very good blooming species getting upp to 9 flowers in a single day 

31st, July 2020

170. Crested Goshawk

He took his time nearly 20 minutes to finish his meal on the floor of my compound. Testing it I came out of the house. It took off from the ground and perched onto the shed above our gate

25th, August 2020

171. Normal Bitter Gourd

This was the next round of harvest after completing the last round of Taiwanese White Bitter Gourd

25th, August 2020

172 Lady Fingers plants in a row

Fist attempt in planting Lady Finger in large quautity

4th, September 2020

173. Boys playing in the rain

That's the trend, they played in the tiny plastic swimming pool, bathed with running water from hose, now playing in the rain

14th, September 2020

174. Mummy's Brinjal babies

When I typed in Brinjal, Mr Google did not recognise that word, he is used to Eggplant. More technical Solanum melongena. A very hardy and productive plants. Had long lives but still don't know what it is sensitive to, A few had died with us knowing the cause

4th

4th, October 2010

175. We acquired our Pin-Striped Calathea

Introducing new plants to compliment the other Calathea we already have

22nd, October 2020

176. Thai Basil Leaves for my Omelette

Sweet Thai bazil - Ocimum basilcum var thyrsiflora. This was Dexter tiny plot of Basil leaves. "was" as it's gone, not unsustainable without TLC.

27th, October 2020

177. My annual visitor on its trip in 2021

Yes, same type of bird, cant say whether it is the same fellow every year. But always comes back and perch on the same spot.

11th November 2020

178. We decide to give our babies away

Had the remnant of of my Staghorn Ferns. Total 3  pants, the mother and 2 babies. Here are 2 lucky recipent, Meng Heng and Susan.

This was the tail-end of my series of Staghorn Fern that I started keeping since the early1980s. Couldn't understand as to why I gave them away. They were very dear to me and I wanted them to find good homes who would love and keep them

20th, November 2010

180. Rare but not that nice looking Wandering Jews.

This is an unusaal creeper with square stem -Tradescantia albiflora albovitatta - I have picked it to expand my collection of Tradescantia plants

12th, November 2020

181. True to its claim, Papaya bore fruits at low height

Large longish fruits and at very low height. So happy

2nd, January 2021

182. Indoor Garden front porch

A look at the scene at the new year

9th, January 2021

183. Preparing the bicycle

The daughter wanted to start cycling again Daddy went to work.

18th, January 2021

184. First batch of fruit ripening.

Happened continuously in one season and we were so glad that the tree bore that many fruits

21st, January 2021

Needs repairing done

Dexter doing it

21st, January 2021

185. Squatter in my garden

This is a Common Tree Frog - Polypedates leucomystax.  Each evening, could hear it croaking. A friendly guy, made no attempt to get away when we got nearer. Finally one day, it disappeared! I suppose I had destroyed its very chance of breeding clutches of eggs - by emptying all water storage pots.

21st, January 2021

186. An Umbrella Tree from Taiwan

A friend who heard that we love having variegated plants. She had one and would not know how to dispose it. Ha! Ha! another discard, we encountered . Dwarf Umbrella from Taiwan - Schefflera arboricola.

21st, January 2021

187. Peacock Plant!

Free! Found this discard at the edge of the Padang, Took it home for rehabilitation. At that time, the plants looked so skinny and tiny. Later on in 2022, there would be pictures to show that they are not that tiny. Peacock Plants or Calathea makoyana

17th,

17th, June 2021

188. All Papaya trees at protest mode

We still had 3 trees. all filled with fruits. For months now, none of them reaching ripening stage. Doldrums or symptoms, we cannot understand. Could it be a retaliation for that action of ours "plucking the fruit green for Papaya salad?"

17th, June 2021

189. Golden Pothos galore

After giving the Staghorns away, some thing else must fill the void. We had nothing in mind. Anything will do, Keep that space green. This plants is what we called "Money plants" or Golden Pothos - Epipremnum aureum. prolific in filling up space

9th, July 2021

190. Gardener-At-Work

That kept her occupied daily! Something to look forward to, some work to keep her occupied and of course a hobby with plenty of chores to look forward to.

30th, July 2021

Lady Finger's Plant more than 6 feet tall

An odd occasion that the plants had grown that tall

8th, August 2021

191. Her veggie garden plot showing results

Here for the day's collection? Papayas, Lady Fingers and Sweet Potatoes leaves. Enough for two old people for a day.

15th, August 2021

Plucking Papaya

Dexter's turn on the ladder

6th September 2021

192. Choy Sum Seedling turning into baby plants

A half hearted attempt. Wife project to plant Veggie after she was given lots of seeds. All kind!

6th, October 2021

193. David paid us a visit

Rare occasion, One day, when David was doing his round of distributing his merchandise. He dropped by for a coffee

24th, October 2021

194. Rain harvesting

PJ aimed to be a Green City. Giving away discount of 50% on annual house assessment for owners who green their gardens. Among the many strategies -  "Rain harvesting" is one of the items. We are not aiming for cut back in assessment. Our drain pipe simply over flows, so - would be natural to retain some water for post washing!

12th, November 2021

195. Series of Marble Queen in Hanging pots

Tired of waiting for rare palnts to show result. We went for the other extreme. Keep those easy to maintain plants.  We started a new project - collecting "Marble Queen". Here are the matured plants in pots. My Stage I?

13th, November 2021

196. Surprised Visitor - Julie Ting

This day we had a visitor knocking at the door, wanting to see our garden.

13th, November 2021

197. Hybrid Long beans

This plant is not a creeper like the normal Long Bean. Another picture of the ripened fruit later. early stage, fruits gathering as a cluster of of paired beans

2nd, December 2021

198. Bonus from the kitchen waste

A Cucumber plant! Many males flower and only a handful 3-4 female flowers. Considered very productive. Since we did not plan for high output, for curiosity we kept the fruits from that single accidental plant as "Loh Wong Kau"

3rd, December 2021

199. Brinjal or Eggplant

Highly productive easy to upkeep! But? suffered sudden death with unknown reasons. Picture of our fruits - "Solanum melongena"

21st, December 2021

200. Annual visit from an old friend!

It's winter time and our Brown Shrike was back in the garden. But only for morning calls. Don't know where the bird would go for its chores and food, during the time in the rest of the day.

21st, December 2021

201. Another antique plant - the Copper Leaf Tree

Today's trend is the chase by home gardeners for variegated varieties of plants. I found an ancient plant that has leaves so highly variegated. This is the Copper Leaf Tree or European Beech [Fagus sylvatica]

I have collected a couple of species. Very good tree. Low maintenance and colourfuls well. Here is a young pant that I had just had propagated.

21st, December 2021

202. Long long beans without creepers

Found a unique cultivar! A long beans plant which is not a creeper. Serious! As usual the long beans fruit developed as  pair. For this cultivar, the many pairs of beans clustered for easy and good harvest. Strange looking plant. Anyway, just for experiment, we had reverted to the normal beans plants now and enjoying our harvest

21st, December 2021

203. Bring back the good old plants

Pictures reminded me that I had good collection of these outdated Monstera adansonii plants for many years, until they were gradually phased out and discarded. Luckily, my sister in Penang still clings on to this evergreens. In December last, 2 babies were brought back to KL. Here had them planted one on the ground.

As for the Monstera Deliciosa, I refused to pay  the Rgt45 for a juvenile plant in Sungei Buloh. In frustration, the seller sold me a sick plant for Rgt25. I found out it was one of his failed attempt to propagate. After months of waiting. I did a surgery, now I am seeing signs of coming alive. Very tough plant indeed.

21st, December 2021

204. Shed for veggie ready

At last, changing the looks of he garden, accept this fact. Now a proper shed was installed for the veggie to climb and putting them in a neat place

Wow! Unknowingly, the page accumulated 200 pictures. Not my intention and definitely not good to compress too many pictures in one go, as it will affect the opening of this page.

Not planned also, while writing up, found it convenient to include the proper names of plants. I just do not know where to upkeep this long list of names. Now conveniently on this page. My reference materials

How have we faired? I am so happy to have digitised my past. Reinforced that my habit of keeping pictures is worthwhile, compiling them and now having my own webpage. Exercise also highlighted that I am having a partner who synergises with my interest. Can only realise this point when I was looking and found the many pictures