Showing posts with label Gardening and Hobby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gardening and Hobby. Show all posts

Three Flavors of Bougainvillea - Gardening and Hobby 63

Tuesday, December 17, 2024
 These photos from last Spring and Summer, the blooming seasons of Bougainvillea in our neighborhood areas.


Fig 01 - Yellow flowers, Bougainvillea

The Bougainvillea, originally from South America, has spread to many parts of the world. It is now commonly grown in tropical and subtropical areas. The flower is an adaptable plant that can be cultivated as:
- tree
- vine
- or shrub

These flowers may come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, red, orange, yellow, and even white.


Fig 02 - The red Bougainvillea.

We saw so many of these beautiful bougainvillea in Caribbeans. They come from high up in the mountains and flow all the way down to the sides on ground. That was an awesome thing to see!


Fig 03 - Pink flowers at neighborhood.

Which colors of Bougainvillea do you like the most?

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China Pink in the Garden - Gardening and Hobby 62

Tuesday, December 3, 2024
In our neighborhood, China Pink blooms in warmer months (Spring to early summer months) or around April to early June.


Image - Blooming of China Pink

China Pink has scientific name, Dianthus chinensis, and has several common names including:
- Pinks
- Indian Pink
- Rainbow Pink
- Sweet William

For vibrant blooms, China Pinks are ensured to receive ample sunlight. Consistent watering and fertilization will further support healthy growth and an abundance of flowers.

Where do you find China Pink (Dianthus chinensis)?

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The Colorful of African Violets - Gardening and Hobby 61

Tuesday, November 26, 2024
 The African violets, cherished for their vibrant, colorful blossoms and effortless upkeep, make for an ideal houseplant.


Fig 01 - African violets, beautiful 

What I like that African violets boast thick, velvety leaves beautifully arranged in a rosette at the plant's base.

The flowers display a spectrum of colors such as:
- pink
- purple
- blue
- red
- white


Fig 02 - Blooming in the room 

African Violets should bloom all year round, if they well care. But, during the winter months, blooming may slow down or cease if the plant doesn't get enough light.


Fig 03 - Pink color of African violets.

Do you recognize African Violets? What colors?

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The Banana Tree Produces Fruit in Our State - Gardening and Hobby 60

Tuesday, November 19, 2024
As you might know, our state, Louisiana has warmer temperature, hence some tropical plants grow well. 


Fig 01 - The plant starts to produce fruit

After growing for about four (4) years in the backyard, this is the first time our banana tree made bananas!

Yet, we don't know the taste. One neighbor said his tree produces more delicious, sweeter and good quality bananas, even compared to commercial ones which are sold in the grocery stores around our neighborhood.

The bananas are usually smaller but extremely good. A genuine treat.

Just make sure to break the flower off once they stop making fruit. Otherwise, they won't ripen. They will spend all their energy on the flower.


Fig 02 - Flowers of banana tree. 

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Fig 03 - Flowers, just growing. 

Banana varieties that well known in our areas:
- Dwarf Cavendish banana
- Gran Nain banana
- Brazilian dwarf banana


Fig 04 - Fruit development

Do you familiar with banana tress?

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The Plumeria Smells Fabulous - Gardening and Hobby 59

Friday, November 8, 2024
Plumeria plants are celebrated for their stunning and fragrant blooms. Native to tropical regions of the Americas, these plants are cherished for their beauty and scent.


Image 01 - Flowers of Plumeria

The most striking aspect of Plumeria flowers is their large, waxy petals, which come in a dazzling array of colors, including:
- white
- pink
- red
- yellow
-  bi-colored.
- and occasionally even multi-colors.


Image 02 - Colorful flowers

Because these plants originate from tropical regions, they are typically cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide.


Image 03 - The plant with flowers.

Do you familiar with the Plumeria flower's scent?

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The Cypress Vine in the Yard - Gardening and Hobby 58

Friday, November 1, 2024
The Cypress Vines have attractive flowers form that is star shape. They may climb up to 15 feet (around 5 meters).


Figure - Red Cypress vine.

In our area, there is one species only of this vine with scientific name called as Ipomoea quamoclit.

However, by searching through internet that it is said the species only one in the world, but breeding is quite plenty. 

The fact is quite strange for me!

Moreover, Cypress Vine, known for its charming flowers and rapid growth, is a favored annual in many gardens in our areas.

Highly invasive, they should be planted in areas where you don't mind them taking over indefinitely. Every flower produces countless seeds, each sprouting into a new vine.

Do you know about Cypress Vine?

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Blooming of Indoors Orchids - Gardening and Hobby 57

Saturday, October 19, 2024
 Orchids are well known flowers that come from warmer regions such as: Southeast Asia, Latin America and even Africa. 


Fig 01 - The white orchids 

Some countries produce beautiful orchids are:
- Southeast Asian countries include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippine.
- African country, Madagascar.
- Latin America countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Panama. 

People love tropical orchids with many reasons among of them are:
exotic fragrances
vibrant colors
- and intricate shapes


Fig 02 - Tree colors of flowers

There are around 800 genera of tropical orchids in the world. The popular genera in our areas are Dendrobium, Cattleya and Vanda. 


Fig 03 - The orchid in the glass jar.

Dendrobium genus is one of our favorite orchids, because it offers very attractive colors and shapes.


Fig 04 - Colorful flower. 

Do you love orchid? 

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The Spider Lily at Walking Track Side - Gardening and Hobby 56

Saturday, October 5, 2024
The category 2 hurricane Francine with speed 96 to 110 mph (154 to 177 km/hours), made landfall in our state Louisiana in the last September 2024. 


Fig 01 - The wild Spider Lily grows well 

Hurricane Francine caused significant flooding in our state. The storm inflicted moderate damage before rapidly weakening into a tropical storm, and then a tropical depression when reached another state, Mississippi.

Surprisingly, we saw Spider lilies popped out on the day after Francine went through. "Mother Nature" has pretty good timing.

In addition to Spider lily, the plant has other names:
- Hurricane lily
- Naked lady


Fig 02 - The wild Spider Lily

They are called as Naked ladies; it is because the flower head is obvious any foliage. Their colors also in yellow and pink.


Fig 03 - The Spider Lily at Walking Track.

Do you know about spider lily?

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The African Daisy - Gardening and Hobby 55

Friday, August 9, 2024
Refer to its name, the African Daisy natives South Africa, then grow well in the warmer climate regions. 


Figure - Blooming of the African Daisy. 

The African Daisy also called as Gazania is getting population in many places nowadays, it is because the plants:
- have vibrant blooms 
- adaptability
- and bring a burst of color to any garden. 

They spent winter in my house and have come back strong in the sun at the yard, during Spring and Summer seasons. So brilliant and might brighten in the morning till before noon.

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The Bougainvillea Flowers with Wicked Thorns - Gardening and Hobby 54

Friday, April 19, 2024
The Bougainvillea, a flowering vine in our areas is originates from South America. It is renowned for its vividly hued blossoms.


Fig - Bougainvillea flowers climb the pole.

The flowers have a variety of colors, including:
- magenta
- purple
- red
- yellow
- pink
- orange
- and white

Bougainvillea possesses small, sharp thorns that can catch on skin and clothing, but they lack the size and strength to cause significant harm.

Flowers adorned with thorns serve as effective deterrents for both people and animals who may attempt to climb the plant. Nevertheless, there are also thornless bougainvillea varieties in existence.

Bougainvillea, a favored landscaping plant in warm climates, thrives as a vine, shrub, or tree. Its relatively straightforward care makes it a highly rewarding choice for cultivation.

Have you observed this kind of Bougainvillea in your areas?

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The Amaryllis belladonna on the Yard - Gardening and Hobby 53

Saturday, April 13, 2024
 Amaryllis belladonna is native to South Africa, and It is popular as an ornamental plant in many places.


Fig - The Amaryllis, pretty colors combination.

The plant is a bulbous perennial, flowering plant with multiple common names such as:
- Belladonna Lily
- Jersey Lily
- Hippeastrum
- and the Naked Lady

Colors of flowers are quite wide range including pink, white, darker central stripes, red with central stripes, reddish pink and many more.

Amaryllis Belladonna thrives in regions with warm climates. Hence our state, Louisiana is suitable for this flower.

How many colors of Amaryllis flowers are occurring in your areas?

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The Red Powder Puff Flower - Gardening and Hobby 52

Friday, April 5, 2024
We just saw a unique and beautiful flower when we are doing exercises around neighborhood recently. 


Image - A red powder puff flower.

The flower called as “the Red Powder puff flower" with scientific name the Calliandra haematocephala, is a captivating and distinctive blossom. This flower native to South America.

Its striking feature is its vibrant, bright red pom-pom-like flowers, which bear a delightful resemblance to fluffy powder puffs. 

The blooming is not only visually appealing but also serve as a magnet for pollinators such as:
- hummingbirds
- butterflies
- and bees

In our neighborhood, the plant could reach 6 feet (1.83 m), but from internet sources the the Red Powder puff plants could reach 10 feet (3.1 meter).

Have you seen this flower?

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The Ornamental Cabbages in the City Garden - Gardening and Hobby 51

Monday, March 4, 2024
We thought a cabbage, an edible cabbage with its flower when we saw plants in the city garden. But, after closer look, they are not cabbages as we know. 


Fig 01 - A cabbage like plant in the garden. 

Based on identification of Google and Bing, the flowers called ornamental cabbages with scientific name, Brassica oleracea

They look very colorful in the garden. Actually, the flowers have striking colors that could be:
- pink
- purple
- white
- green 


Fig 02 - Several ornamental cabbages.

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Fig 03 - Pretty flower of ornamental cabbage.

In our areas, blooming of ornamental cabbages could be seen during cool seasons, Fall and Winter times. 


 
Fig 04 - An ocean, just illustration

Just to let you know that ornamental cabbages are not typically edible plants. The tastes are bitter than normal (edible) cabbages.



Fig 05 - Ornamental cabbages on the ground.

Since ornamental cabbages have beautiful foliage, they are good and visual attractive for outdoor spaces.  


Fig 06 - Wild butterfly in the garden

In addition to gardens, parks and landscapes, the ornamental cabbages also visual interest for containers.


Fig 07 - A colorful ornamental cabbage

Have you seen ornamental cabbages in your areas?

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