Wednesday, December 23, 2015

My Gardening Info: Succulents (4)

Another succulents story???!!

Yes! I am a big fan of succulents. This was another purchased I did last 4-5 weeks.

Bought this double love stand and the following succulents from one local nursery near my housing area. Did you saw what is behind? Yes, I re-pot my succulents again into nicer pot.


Keeping record of my succulents journey begins again.


Scientific Name: Crassula Perforata 
English Name: String of Buttons / Green Pagoda

Crassula perforata, native to South Africa, forms long, trailing stems of alternating triangular grayish-green leaves with reddish margins. Clusters heavily to form a hanging basket. Sprays of tiny white flowers. Porous soil with adequate drainage. Bright, filtered light and ample airflow. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Water with caution in winter, as the plant can lose its roots if the soil stays cold and wet for extended periods. Protect from frost to prevent scarring.

A stunning cultivar of lustrous green triangular leaves stacked up the stem like a pagoda. Will eventually form a dense clump. Small white/pink flowers in summer. Part sun/light shade.

Sources: 
a. https://altmanplants.com/plant-shop/crassula-perforata-string-of-buttons/
b. http://www.thesucculentgarden.com.au/crass.html


Scientific Name: Kalanchoe Tomentosa 
English Name: Panda Plant

Kalanchoe tomentosa is from Madagascar. Forms a shrubby plant with long oval shaped leaves that are densely covered in fuzzy felt. Flowers are small, furry, bell-shape. Prefers a porous soil with adequate drainage. Protect from frost. Provide bright light; hardy to 36F; to 10″+ tall. Water thoroughly when soil is dry.

Careful with that water!
Avoid getting the furry leaves of this plant wet because they'll easily rot.
Water from the bottom or water the potting mix.
If the leaves need to be cleaned, brush them gently with a soft, dry brush, such as a small paintbrush.

Care Tips
Origin: Madagascar
Height: Up to 1 ft (30 cm) indoors
Light: Bright light to full sun. Put this succulent in a bright location year-round. If you move it outdoors for the warm months, move it gradually into full sun to avoid scorching its leaves.
Water: Water thoroughly, allowing the top 1 in (2.5 cm) to dry out between waterings.
Humidity: Average room humidity
Temperature: Average room temperatures 60-75°F/16-24°C
Soil: Cactus potting mix.
Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
Propagation: Take leaf cuttings in spring or early summer. Succulent cuttings root easily in moist sandy mix or perlite.

Sources: 
a. https://altmanplants.com/plant-shop/kalanchoe-tomentosa-panda-plant/
b. http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/panda-plant.html


Scientific Name: Echeveria 
English Name: 'Doris Taylor' - Woolly Rose

The Echeveria 'Doris Taylor' is a cross between Echeveria setosa and Echeveria pulvinata. The leaves are pale green with dense white hairs. In winter, as other Echeverias, the bottom leaves shrivel, and depending on your level of humidity, fungus could develop among the hair and the dead leaves. It is then better to remove the dead leaves as needed.

Open rosettes with very fuzzy leaves that carry nice dark tips. Green in color, white hairs and dark tips. Tender soft succulent - will not tolerate frost.

Primary Color / Secondary Color: Green / White hairs
Maximum Rosette Size: 8" wide
Ideal Light Conditions: Sun to part shade
Watering Needs: Keep the soil mixture moist all year, water regularly in summer
Propagation: Offsets, leaf cuttings
Blooming Habits: Orange flowers in the spring.

Sources: 
a. http://mountaincrestgardens.com/echeveria-doris-taylor-woolly-rose/
b. http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Crassulaceae/Echeveria_Doris_Taylor.html


Scientific Name: Euphorbia flanaganii crested
English Name: Green Coral, Medusa Head

Euphorbia flanaganii, native to South Africa, is one of the "medusoids", or plants forming a central basal "caudex" with "arms" arising from the basal area. This is the cristate form, which forms deep emerald green fan-shaped stems that resemble "green coral". Cristate forms generally occur when injury occurs to the plant at a young age (this damage can be due to insects eating the growing tip, or from many other causes, including a genetic predisposition). In reaction to the "injury", the cells at the tip of the branch where growth occurs begin to multiply at a much faster rate and the normal growing tip "goes crazy", creating fantastic whorls and fans.All Euphorbias contain a white sap that can be irritating to eyes and mucous membranes. Euphorbia flanaganii is also known as the Medusa plant. Hardy to just under 40 degrees f.

Sources: 
a. http://www.plumjam.com/herbarium/Succulents/euphorbia-flanaganii-c.cfm
b. http://www.succulents.us/euphoflancr.html


Okay, this is the view of my 15 pots of mini succulents I had. Right now, I am introducing the succulent at the top right.

Scientific Name: Crassula tetragona
English Name: Mini Pine Trees

Minimum Temp: 28
Exposure: Sun
Water: Deeply but infrequently
Type: Evergreen
Persistence: Evergreen
Height: To 2 feet
Spread: 1-2 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Blooms: Spring
Flowers: White
Propagation: Propagate by stem cuttings

Sources: 
a. http://www.plumjam.com/herbarium/Succulents/crassula-tetragona.cfm

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

My Gardening Info: Succulents (3)

Another throwback of my succulent purchase from the local supermarket.

Remember I had a little gem sedum earlier. I bought another one with flower blooming. It was so beautiful to see them bloom. The flower is in yellow bright color.


Beautiful isn't it?

My Gardening Info: Mint

Hi everyone.

It is another blog post about gardening.
Well, it is my very own experience here about gardening. So, I jotting down everything I know here.

I bought my mint plant (I can't remember what kind of mint I had bought previously) years ago & I did not take care of it. Running wild and I even grow a very huge weeds instead. Thanks to my friends who enlighten me and taught me how to replant this mint plant.

 Small mints with big weed. Running wild...

Eventually, in order for me to identify how does a mint looks like is easy.

1. Just a slight finger rub on the leaves and smell it. If it has mint smell, then it is mint.
2. Mint branch is always red in color.

So, how to replant mint? (Skipping the part of pulling weeds, making the soil, and etc)

1. Trim those long branches of mints and just pluck it into the soil.
2. Do not put too many mints in the pot. Otherwise, it will not grow with big mint leaves.
3. Remember to water everyday. They loves water and sunshine.

Tips and tricks: When the mints leaves starts to grow small, then replanting is required. Reason being there is not enough space for them to grow.

This is replanting session. 

The left one doesn't grow with big leaves as I had too much of mints in it. Thus, I would need to replant again.


After few weeks, it grow healthy and bigger leaves.

Happy gardening!

Sunday, December 20, 2015

CIC340: Cupcake Inspirations: Color Challenge

This week at Cupcake Inspirations is about...

Color Challenge: Poppy, White & Sky.


This week, our generous sponsor is from Stamp and Create. Thank you.



My inspiration card:



Card Recipes:

1. Acid free card stock & patterned paper.
2. Button.
3. Die cut leaves.
4. Sentiment label.
5. Washi tape.
6. Stepper card using die cuts.

Remember to visit other DT's work too. Come & join our challenge.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

CIC339: Cupcake Inspirations: Let It Snow!

This week at Cupcake Inspirations is about...

Theme Challenge: Let It Snow!


This week, our generous sponsor is from Sparkle N Sprinkle. Thank you.


My inspiration card:


Card Recipes:

1. Acid free card stock & patterned paper.
2. Digital stamps sponsored by Sparkle N Sprinkle. Thank you! Colored with Derwent Inktense.
3. Rhinestones.
4. Washi tape.
5. Added glitters for snowy effect.

Remember to visit other DT's work too. Come & join our challenge.