EPISCIA CUPREATA

Episcia cupreata comes from Colombia. It has oval, wrinkled, green leaves flecked with copper. It has scarlet flowers and lots of runners. It is a good hanging basket plant.

Episcia cupreata needs plenty of light but cannot tolerate the strong rays of the sun. Water with moderation and let the soil dry in between waterings. Flame violets need high humidity, but cannot tolerate water on their leaves. Fertilize every 2 weeks.
The Episcia in my garden is a gift from Brother Matthew, who happened to be clearing some overgrown plants at the La Salle Centre. Took a few runners from the mother plant. Currently the plants give out bright red flowers almost every morning, irrespective of the weather condition. Propagation is easily carried out through cutting, provided the stem comes with the roots.

Rubber Plant - Ficus Elastica

Ficus elastica 'Burgundy', or Rubber Plant, is a man-made cultivar of the old standard Rubber Plant. Rubber plants are native from India. If grown in very high light, the thick glossy leaves have a burgundy color to them, with a red midrib. Leaves will reach 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) wide and they are oblong to elliptic in shape. In nature, the plants can reach up to 40 feet (12 m) tall. They are very easy to grow whether in container or in the landscape.
Particularly attracted to the myriad of colours and while it needs regular watering and occasional feeding (fertilizer), this Ficus is virtually maintenance-free.

Calathea Ornata- Excellent Ornament To Adorn House Frontage

Tropical houseplant grown for their dramatic foliage, 8 to 10 inches tall. Foliage has pink patterns against green on the topsides and are red below. Requires warmth and light shade, and daytime temperatures over 68F, nightime not below 65F. Keep high humidity and protect from drafts.
Repot every 2 to 3 years. Have two of this and the Calathea deserves a place at the frontage as the leaves are strongly appealing during daytime. Expensive - at RM60 a plant.

Hardy and Needs Plenty of Watering

Syzygium Campanulatum

Bought three of these marvellous plants from a nursery along Jalan Diary for RM25 each. While others might favour the plants to be planted in the ground, I prefer mine potted at least to control their growth and for easy maintenance.

Syzygium, which needs plenty of watering, is often spotted being grown as a hedge and planted in abundance along the highways and Ipoh's main roads. What many like about this plant is the appearance of striking red young leaves after trimming. Two pots are now adorning the side garden, facing the room windows and another plant at the backyard, shielding my tea corner from the bright evening sun.  

Attractive Plants To Grace The Porch

The striking ctenanthe oppenheimiana plant is a tropical perennial. It has green, white and blood red variegated leaves, ensuring it stands out amongst other plants, and making it a good choice for ground cover, and an overall excellent foliage plant; particularly within light coloured rock and pebble gardens and shaded areas.

This plant cannot stand full sun, prefering shaded and partially shaded regions of the garden, and consequently are suited for indoor growth, but they always require constantly moist soil.

Bought a pair from the morning market outside Stadium Indera Mulia a year ago for RM15 each. Growth is slow and watering has to be regular. Too much sun and the leaves would get burnt.

Making It Green

This blog will feature another area of my interest - equipping my garden. I will also be highlighting types of tropical plants, particularly the non-flowering ones which look easy to the eyes and serve as a fantastic plants for the garden. Consultations are instrumental when it comes to gracing your garden. Besides turning to the web for that extra information, I have down-to-earth advice from Brother Matthew Bay and Mr Lawrence Brindes. Occasionally, Mr Anthony Lourdes comes by to give some tips.