Simple Treats

School has ended and that means taking a break from helping the kids out in completing their school assignments, accomplishing projects in every subjects and reviewing for their final exams as well. While the kids can call it a day from their daily school activities and the start of their playful summer vacation, I guess I deserve a simple treat for myself: more time in the garden and blogging (which includes updating my profile), visiting some of my favorite plant shops and go buy some few plants.

My eyes feasted at the sight of Platyceriums and Aspleniums upon visiting my favorite plant store. Compared to Asplenium, Platycerium such as P. Coronarium is by far quite costly. When I started appreciating ferns, I can only afford to purchase the not-so-expensive ones, thinking they might not be able to survive in my own care. With some happy and a few heartbreaking moments and with lots of trial and error experimentation, little by little I came to accept the fact that gardening is not only learning how to plant. It includes determining the peculiarities of the weather conditions, knowing some facts about the soil and discovering the uniqueness of one's own home that will someday be called the new habitat of plants. I came to learn the art of suppressing sentimental  attachments if an infested plant has no hope of survival. A terminally ill plant will only threaten the well-being of other plants so I might as well get rid of it. Although gardening may seem an extravagant claim, the excitement and experiencing the wonders of every new growth is always magical and just  as rewarding to me.

Plant store with different kinds of ferns and garden blooms

In my attempt to grow a Heliconia Rostrata, I find it challenging as I am faced with some garden pests. Since it thrives in almost wet and moist soil most of the time, slugs and snails are common problem. This false bird of paradise to me is like the inflorescence of the Vriesea bromeliad, one of the first bromeliads I have. Although totally different from each other, I find the red and yellow-tipped blooms of both plants colorful and eye-catching in the garden.

Heliconia Rostrata or Lobster's claw

Vriesea bromeliad or flaming sword

Along with the H. Rostrata, I also purchased a few plants with berry-like drupes and tiny blooms that come in white and cherry red.

Medenilla with cherry red berry drupes

Medenilla with white berry drupes

After transplanting these newcomers into their new abode, an unexpected intruder came along....waiting to be kissed to be with his princess...

 Toad, Anura Bufonidae

GARDEN BLOGGERS BLOOM DAY

My penchant for ferns began way back before I started gardening. With the right soil, environment and light, little care is all they need in order to survive. Like an eagle’s wings widely spread out, the green fronds always add life to a garden, be it in a greenhouse or in a simple yard for that matter. Some of the owners of plant shops I frequently visit call them pakpak lawin which means eagle’s wings. Others call them dapo or pako.

Little did I know that my first ferns were Asplenium Nidus or bird’s nest. Having done a little research, I found out that they grow well with bromeliads. Being an epiphyte and a terrestrial plant, it thrives well in organic matter and in partial shade. In as much as I wanted to have them on trees for a rainforest garden effect, I only have palm trees planted in the small yard: the manila, foxtail and champagne palms. I noticed that repotting the ferns to a larger container would make them grow so fast that they may even look too big for the small yard!

Asplenium Nidus 

Look at these curly fronds of A. Nidus Antiquum. It is also called Osaka fern or Japanese bird’s nest. Like the rest of the other ferns, it does not require direct sunlight, only full to partial shade.

A. Nidus Antiquum

These odd looking fronds of Platycerium Superbum a.k.a staghorn fern attract me most. The first time I heard the word staghorn aside from its true meaning  was when I had a patient with a staghorn kidney stone which means stones formed occupying the renal pelvis of the kidney, thus taking the shape of a staghorn. Now, I am still taking care of a staghorn, a healthy staghorn fern.

Platycerium Superbum

Asplenium Cristata Scolopendrium has long fronds that appear to have torn edges and curled. Moist, well-drained soil is a must for almost all types of fern. Direct sunlight can easily burn the fronds even for a short period of time.

A. Cristata Scolopendrium

And the last two ferns in the garden and still counting...

Dryopteris Crispa

Dryopteris Complexa

HAPPY GARDEN BLOGGERS' BLOOM DAY! Thank you, Carol of maydreamsgarden for hosting such a wonderful GBBD...