Achimenes Ambroise Verschafein

The Achimenes plants from rhizome are not yet in bloom, this blooming Achimenes is from the cutting. I found that it takes short time (around 2.5 months per my experience) to see the flowers when I grow Achimenes from the cuttings. The pink flower is Achimenes "Dot" from cuttings as well.

Aeschynanthus tricolor in situ

I met Aeschynanthus tricolor hanging freely on the tree at the riverside when I was at Poring Hot Spring in this August. This tourist spot is located at Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia. The entrance cost is 3RM for Malaysian and 15RM for foreigner visitors. I directly spoke in Bahasa Melayu to the ticket seller, asked for 3 tickects and he just wanted me to pay 3RM / each. :) How friendly he is !!! Anyway, I also grows Aeschynanthus tricolor over 2 years and it only blooms in early spring in Taiwan. But it seems that it blooms all year around in its habitat. Please refer to my previous post HERE for the flower closeup.

Peloric flower of Sinn. speciosa

This is an example showing the peloric form of Sinningia speciosa includes upright and slipper type flower. In the photos show both peloric forms happen at the same plant.

Season change

A famous phrase of Chinese literature vividly describes the season change by observing the nature, the rough translation could be "When spring warms the flow, ducks are the first to know". Now I copy this concept and say "When the autumn cools the air, the CATs are the first to know". CAT (in Chinese) is the nickname of Kohleria that we call it in Taiwan. :-) Yes, last weekend I noticed the rhizome of Kohleria started to sprout. Good to breathe the air of autumn !

Kohleria D's Jewel Case x D's Floral Dress

Agalmyla ovata

Agalmyla is a brand new genus of Gesneriad that I never knew before I took a short trip to Sabah, North Borneo of Malaysia in August. I felt quite relaxed in the atmosphere of tropical mountain. Agalmyla ovata was found in Gunung Alab, a summit of Crocker Range. There are several jungle trails, but it's a pity that I arrived in the afternoon which is usually rainy there, the trails were dark, slippy and muddy. So I just looked around the open area and the mossy forest which is accessible by the wooden path.

The weather in Gunung Alab is cool, Agalmyla ovata grows by climbing the tree in the open area. It is easy to notice this plant as there are many red flower clusters which is hard to ignore. The plant itself is huge, I guess it will require certain space if you want to grow it at home. :P Anyway, it was happy to see the red blooms in a cool rainy afternoon and I will come back to explore the trails of Gunung Alab.