my G@Rdening frenzY: November 2010

30 November 2010

CHRISTMAS FAIRIES

The numerous Christmas fairies high up beckon to the shoppers at Suntec City. I am certain this will be a good christmas for everyone.

These coloured pyramid roofs at Millenia Walk are not new and have been around for many years now, but the design is so interesting and fantastic that till this day, it never fails to amaze me when I look up at it.

SNOWMAN

If you have never seen a sad melting snowman, this is probably how it would look like.

SINNINGIA 'AMIZADE'

This is another interesting hairy-leaved gesneriad Sinningia from the Family Gesneriaceae. It has been growing very well and is spreading beyond the small pot I planted it in.

2 links are attached below for reference:

OENANTHE JAPONICA 'FLAMINGO' & AZOLLA CAROLINIANA

I just got the Oenanthe japonica 'Flamingo' (synonym: O. javanica 'Flamingo', O. stolonifera 'Flamingo'; Family: Apiaceae / Umbelliferae) recently. Let's see how well it would grow. 2 links are shown below:

In the same pot was also the interesting Azolla caroliniana (common name: Carolina Mosquito Fern, Duckweed Fern, Fairy Moss, Water Fern; Family: Azollaceae), which is a floating aquatic plant. 2 links on this plant are shown below:

SUCCULENT

This succulent plant is so adorable. Since bringing it home and leaving it on my planter, it is producing new toothed leaves, which open up like the jaws of a shark. It also reminded me of the carnivorous plants in cartoons, much like the Venus Fly Traps.

Now I am waiting for it to flower again.

EPISCIA CUPREATA

This striking scarlet-flower Flame Violet from the Gesneriaceae is like the mother of all Episcias, since it has been around for a long time and my mother used to plant them.

BEGONIA

I simply love this 'ang mo' Begonia. The tiny red hairs on the roundish-leaves are so pretty, especially under the light, and I always feel very tempted to touch it.

But I do not know the name of this Begonia, although the attached link is the closest I got. However, further checks showed that the name may not be correct.

A link is shown below for reference:

http://www.robsviolet.com/begonia_collectors.htm

29 November 2010

SINNINGIA 'LITTLE WOOD NYMPH'

I had this little fellow for a long time now and planted 2 pots into 1 a couple of months back. This is one of the miniature Sinningia from the Gesneriaceae Family, which includes other members such as the more common Episcia, African Violet and Gloxinia.

This plant is known to be a hybrid of the parents S. pusilla and S. concinna. 2 links are attached below:

NEX

This new shopping centre NEX just opened its doors a few days ago. I visited it on 27 Nov and the crowd was just crazy. The whole place was teeming with people.

Located directly above Serangoon MRT station, it is the largest shopping centre in the north east area of Singapore and incorporates the Serangoon bus interchange into the building, just like a few existing MRT stations e.g. Toa Payoh.

There were lots of shops around and I think there are quite a few anchor tenants. Targeted at the general masses, unlike ION which seems to cater more to the higher class and income group, whatever essential shops you can think of are present. There are 2 supermarkets - Cold Storage and NTUC FairPrice, and 2 food courts - Food Junction and Food Republic, although not all were opened yet. The other shops and stores include Popular, Watson's, Starbucks, Old Chang Kee, and numerous other restaurants etc. A cinema is also available although it is not opened for screening yet.

There is also a children's playground and a roof garden but when I reached the outdoor area to go up, I found that it was not opened too. There was an overhead bridge linking pedestrians to the other side of the road facing the MRT and the rooftop carpark was full with cars.

When I left the place and headed towards the MRT entrance from the outside, I noticed the landscaping, which includes the more uncommon but equally pretty pink flower Lantana camara. With all these facilities and everything, it reminded me slightly of Vivo City and I am sure it would be a popular shopping center for the heartlanders staying in the northeastern part of Singapore. What mall (more - pun intended) can the residents ask for if they are staying in this area?

I attach herein the photos taken.