Terrariums

My son's passion for pets gave me the idea on how to start with terrariums. His gold fish, fighting fish, gecko, redeared slider turtle and even super worms used to live in those fish bowls when all they needed was a little room for their sizes. But as their sizes increased and some grew in numbers,  bigger rooms were needed for them so there went the fish bowls, set aside in the corner, waiting, wondering what's gonna happen to them next.

Terrarium was started by Dr. Nathaniel Ward in the 1800s. His experiments with indoor plants led him to discover how plants can grow well in closed containers. Bell jars were commonly used as containers for terrariums but any glass container will do. A dish garden is even simpler by creating a miniature garden and landscapes. Delighted by the thought of having my own terrarium, I made use of the fish bowls as containers.

So there went those fish bowls, now my miniature garden. Misting the plants would make the plants moist because too much water would ruin them. I used pebbles, gravel and sand at the bottom topped with moist soil before planting. After several attempts of planting, choosing what type of plants that would be suitable in the container, I settled for white grass, fern and two other plants I have yet to identify. Ceramic shells, decorative stones were added for interest.

Little Garden Guests

Starting out with gardening was quite fun but as I went on appreciating, discovering and learning the ropes of the new found hobby, I began to encounter several visitors that made me frown, some of them not that friendly to my plants. Frustrated and annoyed by their presence, I began to understand how nature works in my own little yard. Slowly, my attitude towards these unwanted visitors changed as I call to mind  "planting a little extra for the bugs."

Rainy season keeps the soil moist most of the time so with that I am spared from watering the plants. Even with enough drainage, soil gets muddy, surroundings damp. I panic everytime I see snails and slugs crawling, leaving iridescent trail on the walls and feeding holes on the leaves. Getting rid of them is by simply sprinkling them with salt causing their bodies to dry up and shrink. Crushing them would be too messy. During dry season, they bury themselves in moist ground, under barks of trees or stones. I usually encounter them early in the morning.

Gastropods Mollusks

Other visitors during rainy days are the millipedes. Though friendlier and harmless than the terrifying centipedes, I make it a point to get rid of them as they tend to multiply fast if ignored. They are friendlier in such a way that they don't bite, and they go for decaying and dead plants for their nourishment. Millipedes protect themselves from predators by rolling into a ball. They love to stay in cracks of  damp walls or concrete floors so during excessive rains, they tend to go out and look for a safer, and moist place but not wet. Maintaining the place dry which is impossible during rainy days is the only way to decrease millipedes so I try to sweep the water off from the concrete floors and secondly, I get rid of them by my hands. Nothing to worry about because they don't hurt and they move slowly. They emit a stinky odor when crushed.  

Anthropods

Whiteflies are in a way related to aphids. The stick under leaves, stems and even in the petals. They are more difficult to eradicate and a real garden pests, they just keep on coming back. Using pesticide would not be an option because kids love to play in the yard so I go for milder and safer ones which is spraying them with soap and water.

Whiteflies

Dragonflies are frequent and favorite guests of all. I find them rather useful than any other insects that can be found in the yard because they eat insects particularly mosquitoes (another very unwanted visitors) that can cause hemorrhagic disease which is considered to be endemic in the area. Dragonflies are commonly found near ponds and lakes because young dragonflies are aquatic. One of my favorite things to do when I was in grade school was catching dragonflies, and then letting them go, watching them fly from one plant to another. For me they look like tiny soundless choppers, flying low, with their own different and distinctive colors. I just love to see a dragonfly on top of a water plant in a pond, too bad I don't have one in the yard.

It is quite amazing to discover how plants, insects and pests are interrelated and somehow influenced by each other. Nature has its own way of maintaining the garden ecosystem and it's up to the gardener how to manage and control these pests and diseases.

My Fukien Tea Ball

Good thing I was able to plant new fukien tea balls in my garden a couple of days ago or else typhoon  Falcon would not allow me to tend my garden have I waited for this weekend to come. I had uprooted several old mayanas in exchange for fukien tea balls and I'm quite satisfied with it. Honestly, I had no idea what the name of that plant was until I asked manong where I bought several of them. Knowing how to maintain Fukien tea balls is basically an advantage so one can keep its rounded form. So it's called a Fukien Tea Ball, apparently it resembles a dragon tea ball used during Chinese New Year that's why it's called as such.  

I left some empty spaces along those fukien tea balls as I'm still figuring out what plants are best beside them. I decided to retain some mayanas so there would be variations in colors.

Perhaps growing a Mother-in-law's tongue or devil's tongue, also known as Sansevieria with its elongated leaves bearing yellow and green stripes would be suitable enough in contrast to the shapes of fukien tea balls. Benefits of Sansevieria are believed to have pollution-buster effects so I make it a point to have at least a couple of them in pots anywhere in the yard. The latter tend to grow by division so propagating them is not a problem although they tend to grow faster than other plants.

The only thing is that I just hope there would be no more headlong rains, understandably it's rainy season. Advantages are: tipid sa sa tubig pandilig, tipid sa aircon. Disadvantages are: floods, landslides, suspension of classes, possible power interruptions.

Bird's Nest

I started acquiring ornamental plants in the yard just to occupy the empty spaces outside our home. It was only 5 years ago when I started propagating  and growing rainforest plants. Choosing rainforest plants was my option because of the limited sunlight we have in our yard. I don't know what's with rainforest plants but I am always fascinated how wild they grow like the asplenium species in particular or also known as the bird's nest. It was named as such because the center of the plant resembles a bird's nest.  I tried taking care of orchids but unfortunately none of them survived under my care so I ended up taking care of brohmeliads and ferns. Perhaps it's because these are low-maintenance unlike orchids, you have to give full time in propagating and caring for them which I practically cannot deliver because of my work. I love to see the drama of naturally growing ferns in trees,  as indoor plants or in greenhouses as well.

5-year old bird's nest

I also found out that bird's nest don't thrive well in direct sunlight, only in morning sun, so I made it a point to grow my bird's nests where the only morning sun is possible. Keeping the soil moist at all times is the key to a healthy bird's nest. Make sure you drain the soil well enough though. Because of extreme heat in our place, I try to water them two to three times a day.

3-year old fern

I was able to grow these ferns this big when I started transplanting them in larger containers. The larger the containers are, the bigger they would grow. What's nice about these plants is that its roots are relatively small for their large fronds. Wiping the fronds using a cotton cloth with plain clean water maintain the glossy appearance of the foliage. When I was just starting the hobby, I attempted to wipe them with egg white to sustain their shine but unluckily it didn't work out well. The fronds began to turn brown and eventually burned the leaves. Little did I know that with just wiping them from tip to bottom with clean damp cloth will do the trick.

unfurled fronds

I always look forward in seeing new unfurled fronds at the center. I think it would only take weeks before they would unfold so click, click, I took the shots of my babies!

National Artist

One of the most unforgettable trips we had last summer was when we got to meet a National Artist, Ben Cabrera, also known as BenCab in his museum up north in Baguio City. Art savvy I'm not, but well, based from the hemispheres of the brain, which we call the right brain and the left brain, I guess my right side of the brain which is associated with creativity and artistic side of a person is more dominant than my left brain. While the left brain deals with the analytical and logical thinking, it is understood that it is associated more with numbers or arithmetic and problem-solving. After all, nursing is an art, too so I guess that explains it all.

We almost lost our way to the museum if not for the several signs of  "this way to BenCab Museum" mounted along the long and winding Asin Road. Since it was our first time to drop in, reaching our destination seemed to take a little longer than going back home. Eventually our journey that appeared to be endless paid off when I saw "the Master" (as what my BFF called him) in person!

with the "Master"

Fortunately, I was able to have this shot with the Master (with my hubby who took the shot) while he was busy signing for autographs. Apparently he was introduced to us by a friend who happens to be a bonsai enthusiast like him (BenCab) so I requested for this photo. He is such a cool, levelheaded man!

BenCab Gallery

Me and my little girl

Some of his famous paintings can be seen in the BenCab Gallery. His museum consist of several galleries where various kinds of art works are exhibited. Since I'm talking about art, you might want to visit one of his galleries with "interesting" artworks where kids are not allowed to enter, if you know what I mean. My kids, curious as ever were able to snoop around while papa and mama where enjoying having the pictorial. 

My kids with a collection of carvings of bul-ol or Ifugao rice gods 

Some of BenCab's collection done by different distinguished artists as well

Impressive garden and a gazebo surrounded by a lake

His vast plantation of vegetables, corns, palay,  fruits, an added attraction 

I noticed that there were several photographers around taking photos of the scenery and  the sunset. I wonder what magnolia skies they are talking about. If you have an idea, please don't hesitate to comment what that means, thanks!

Entrance fee is 100.00. Not bad considering you'll get to meet a renowned artist in person and catch a glimpse of his acclaimed various works of art:  from paintings, sculptures, wood carvings,  photography, even gardens and landscapes. The location of the museum was conscientiously built away from the bustling city where one can oversee and appreciate the spectacular sunrise, sunset and the splendid scenery of nature. Souvenirs such as shirts, hats, caps, bul-ol carvings to name a few can also be acquired in the museum at a very reasonable price. 

After the Rain

After a long week of downpour, I am keen on finding out how the backyard plants are doing. Weather seems to be normally humid so I guess no need to worry about the soil getting too soggy. I just finished practicing yoga this morning and based from my schedule I'm supposed to start the day by either tending the garden or by doing yoga at regular intervals. Waking up 45 minutes earlier made a difference from my routine because after doing yoga, I finally chanced upon attending, nurturing the plants I bought a week ago.

Violet red crotons

Crotons are best as indoor plants but with the right amount of sunlight. Based from my experience, I had to be very careful in handling the newly bought plants upon transferring them from their original container to the ground. Sometimes, newly planted ones have sensitive roots. I had to check for the right location and made sure exposure to direct sunlight should be minimal. Consider also if it is a morning sunlight or afternoon sunlight. In my case, almost all my backyard plants thrive well in morning sunlight.

                                       

This kind of croton is popularly called "balunan" which means intestines because it resembles that of a chicken's intestines. They come in several colors such as yellow, orange and red. I rarely find yellow or orange ones as I would love to have them in my garden.

Going Home

One thing I like best in going home is looking at the sunset as it only take a few minutes before it totally remains unseen. I took this photo a couple of weeks ago to capture the moment. I used to be fascinated with taking photos just for the sake of posting something in social networks to update my family, friends, old and new ones and to keep in touch with relatives from all over the world wherever they may be. Now, I find photography interesting and relaxing. I don't have any formal or informal training in this field but all I know is that you have to have the eye for a subject and to practice clicking the camera with steady hands while taking the shot. Capturing the moment is essential and basically the reason why photos are taken. Each moment that had passed is history, so you grab the cam and take the shot then Voila! You can keep those moments and look back at them (literally) for the rest of your life!

I had the chance of taking this shot on our way home from Baguio, the coolest place in our country as far as I know. Temperature ranges from as low as like 10 degrees to  30++ degrees centigrade, that's why it's called the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Normal temperature in lowlands is like 32 to 38 degrees centigrade high as the case may be. Look at those abundant trees in the mountains!

Just a few minutes away and the fog started to set in. Sometimes, one has to consider the risks involved in traveling to Baguio particularly because of the fog and landslides one has to encounter. Keeping abreast with travel advisory is a must specially this rainy season if you have plans of visiting Baguio. In case of landslides, travelers are advised to take the safer routes. 

Get High

After completing my degree in nursing and passed all the necessary  qualifying exams, finding a job was the wisest thing to do. Gradual oversupply of nurses became a problem because of the overproduction of nursing students in several nursing institutions. Now, everyone seem to be discouraging students from taking up the course because the demand tremendously declined considering the global depression not only in the US but in several countries as well.

Honestly, I am still hoping for the end of recession if not all priority dates will become current! Every month I keep myself updated with the visa bulletin while looking for other things I am interested with: gardening, yoga and out of town trips!

Taal Lake

One of my favorite place to visit is Tagaytay! Weather is close to the coolness of Baguio. The small volcano in the photo was actually the crater of the 18,000 feet height of the Taal volcano, one of the largest in the world. I had the chance to stay at Taal Vista Hotel with awesome view of the Taal Lake.  At first, I was a bit confused because I know Taal Lake is in Batangas, not in Tagaytay. Now I knew that the lake can be actually viewed from Tagaytay and it's really located in Batangas. Somewhere close to the hotel I saw a sign that says "banca ride" (boating) is allowed in the lake, I forgot how much the fee was and if I had ample time for it, surely it would be an excellent move to try. 

 My experience in Taal Vista Hotel was great and I highly recommend it to give it a try if you have plans of visiting the place. Sometimes, if you are an SM Advantage card holder, you are privileged to discounts as high as 50%  room rates! Service is excellent with clean bedrooms and restrooms and courteous staff. I was enticed by the divine green, fresh salad and delectable meals they served, even the food presentation was outstanding so I gave them a thumbs up for that.

If you are fond of going to casinos, it is surely an advantage for you to spend overnight in the hotel where the casino is just situated across the hotel. There are lots of hotels beside Taal Vista where you could choose from with breathtaking view of the Taal Lake. Transportation is not a problem since the location is almost in the middle of the city.

Going home is not an option if I won't be able to take home sweet senyoritas (little bananas!) Be sure to choose half-ripe senyoritas if you're planning to buy lots of them as they tend to ripen quickly in hot weather.
Next time I'll be bringing along my kids, I'm pretty sure they will enjoy boating and horseback-riding in Tagaytay!