Category: Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects

Beautiful Orchids

By livelifeandlove on May 23, 2014

Orchids are beautiful but they are not fragrant flowers, which unlike other flowers like roses and gardenias have a delightful fragrance. Problems around when it comes to growing of orchids, I don’t know why our orchids lose leaves in darker spots, I really thought they can easily adopt to cooler environment.So much more to know that it lacks sunshine but, over powering sunshine is not good also. I can still remember the good kind of orchids we had before; Cattleyas and Miltonias, it’s probably the most spectacular with the striking colors of bright yellow and dark pink combination.However, the most loved around is the Jungle spots and Rangers”AOK”, I love the raffles on petal edges,it has full shape and beauty. I think, it’s ideal for bridal centerpiece.

The most glamorous when it comes to petal shapes, the” Odontoglossums,” Other species we had before are ”Lyoth Rotonda,” it was so beautiful like the Lyoth Fantastique but these kind tend to be very expensive. If ever to collect again, I make sure to install a greenhouse to filter the sun and insects. Must probably be the most suitable ones.

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BIRDS IN THE GARDEN

By livelifeandlove on May 22, 2014

Gray Wagtail

How wonderful to see and welcome my morning visitors in the garden.It gives me the right energy in the morning. Love that charming movement and the beautiful sound of songbirds around.

Commonly seen birds in the garden are the Woodpeckers,Tree sparrows, Humming bird and the Gray wagtail. Tree sparrows has Grey brown upper parts with white cheeks underparts. Other familiar species are present although some are beneath the roof too.I don’t know their names, it appears to be like House Martin. For now, I can’t remember any clues of identity to some that was seen before.

My garden visitor

Soon, I will care to place a good tree as nesting site and shelter for the birds as well as a big container for bird’s bath. The old chico tree has dried up, still looking for a good replacement. Some sparrows prefer to feed on the ground, the scrap of foods intended for the dogs are welcomed by most birds around. Lots of birds will adore my surrounding because it is a feeding ground for them, the presence of wild red berries that produces a sweet juicy fruit usually attracts the birds to come indoors. The fruit berries not only for the birds, they are safe for children to eat.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects

ORCHIDS-RELIABLE,LOVABLE

By livelifeandlove on May 21, 2014

Dendrobium Hybrids

Some flowering plants are reliable during hot days that makes my daily activities in the garden l going on ; the watering 2x a day, weeds removing, cutting, re-potting, shading, and cultivating. Although, the soil is still rough and rugged, hot days seems to give more problems to our plants.The more dry it gets,the more attention needed.It’s already middle of May and the transitional period is fast approaching. The end of May would already be rainy season. I can just imagine 3 months of ground wet and I just hope there would be no tropical depressions, I just hate another ”Ondoys and Yolandas” to come.

Some orchids are available during hot days.

Just 2 weeks of waiting and soon, green grasses will quickly spread again to invade all spaces in the backyard. Soon, there would be another set of flowering plants to fit the season.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects

ORCHIDS-LASTING COLORS

By livelifeandlove on May 19, 2014

Dendrobium Hybrids

Big tree beside the greenhouse is partly shading the orchids. Definitely,it makes the surrounding cooler. Usually having a greenhouse, orchids will receive less light but at the same time, the most sun exposure. It really depends on how the greenhouse is constructed facing the direction needed to protect the orchids. (Click on images to view larger)

Dendrobium Hybrids, common type of orchids available during hot days. Light levels clearly shows certain amount of sunlight. That can make a different kind of exposure at different time of the day. Other varieties of orchids are sensitive to the direct rays of the sun that’s why, a good foundation is needed to protect the orchids.

Yesterday, I visited the Garden Orchids along White Plains. I observed the greenhouse, insulation was added like; polythene and plastic sheeting. Other orchid gardens in my friends backyard, they prefer the glass sheeting which is more expensive but it looks neat and durable. To some, they want polythene tunnels.

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

SUMMER VACATION, TAGAYTAY, 2014

By livelifeandlove on May 5, 2014

Me and my family visited Tagaytay last week. Tagaytay, one of the coolest place in the Philippines, well known for its beautiful scenery, quiet spots and all geographical wonders of nature. Everything interesting is here. It’s not our first time to visit Tagaytay, We had visited these place a countless times already.So far,the 4 days Holy week vacation gave me ample time to cover some places and people around.

I’ve made myself very busy and active touring around the green community of Taal. All things to feature such as; Beautiful landscape surrounding Taal lake, the Taal volcano, one of the world’s smallest volcano, the Puzzle Museum, the Tagaytay Highlands, the Culinary feast of mushrooms and salad vegetables, the beautiful garden flowers, the Sunflower farm, the Pineapple plantation, the Coconut plantation, the scene of the night in Sky Ranch as the newest Amusement Park, Fruit and Pasalubong stalls, Souvenir shops to name a few .

Exploring around gave me a better mood to relax, more time to do fitness routine. I love Tagaytay because it’s just an hour drive away from home and lots of activities you can do here; Cycling, jogging, walking, and hiking usually done early in the morning to reduce my stress or even by just watching the low clouds, sunrise and sunset while in the balcony. You can also enjoy Kayacking, horse riding and picnic areas is also good.

What could possibly cooler than to see the Puzzle Museum, a home for the World’s largest collection of Jigsaw puzzles listed in the Guinness book of records, and more so, to meet the present ”Guinness World Record Holder,Gina Gil-Lacuna. All interesting things I’d love to cover especially people and places, making it more exciting to have fun and bond with my family, that’s super excitement for me. To explore the nature side as well,you’ll realize how beautiful they are!

I have so much activities and more to say about it. I couldn’t possibly place in one article alone, so this is just my first version as my journey continues. With too many places to visit, people to meet and interview, 4 days is not really enough although, itineraries was readily planned in advanced, yet, so little time. I need to get back all those I’ve missed and compensated soon.

Note: Click on images to view larger

Just sit down, relax and click, I will tour you around for awhile! The first day of adventure starts. See what happens when nature takes over…

Lake Taal, total picture of calm, peaceful and cool. All wildflowers around swinging gracefully in an open air.

Taal volcano, one of the world’s smallest volcano.

So far, this is the latest photo.

Farmers in Tagaytay have to adopt where farming are practiced on slopes, Others areas inhabited by trees has transformed into commercial establishments; big hotels, golf courses, amusement parks and restaurants. Other lands abandoned has turned wisely into coconut, jackfruit and pineapple plantation. To my surprised, it was a fast growth and development. Perhaps, people always in search of better ways to improve way of life. Pieces of thoughts, they want fast growth and good profit. Some lands converted to a new development. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice one in order to bring up a new one.

Biking around the community.

Me with the famous,Gina Gil Lacuna, the present ”Guinness book of record holder for the largest collection of Jigsaw puzzles.

Puzzle Museum

Some collections of Gina.

Lots of fruits around; Jackfruit is good if you can take the smell of it. More fruits like bananas,mangosteen, mangoes, avocado, pineappled and many more..

The Sunflower farm, one of the best garden feature to highlight here. Nature’s side, It was wild and lovely in full golden yellow color. The ”Sunflower farm has been the source of attraction just like the pineapple field.

Beautiful garden flowers. It is a mass full of blooms. All flowers burst into blooms.

Full bloom under the sun.

The intensity of summer heat was not even the problem here. I can take it as well.

Lovely Gumamela

Coconut Plantation

Pineapple Plantation

My night photography. Here’s sharing you the fun of riding the ”Sky Eye, the Zip Line definitely not available at night.

The Sky Ranch Amusement Park keeps me going. Possibly, I’ve forgotten my age, LOL! I think it was called,”Sky Ranch because the ranch is just beside the amusement park. Check the horses nearby.

The color wheel while rotating, the light color changes as it brings vivid colors to brighten the dark sky.

Night ride on the sky is very relaxing, slowly as it evolves,once you’re up, you can see the colors of the starlight and the beautiful aerial view of Taal.

The color wheel of the Sky Eye is amazing! It was glittering, sparkling that filled the night sky with vivid colors.

Other Rides

It was difficult to leave the park. It was an amusement park you need to see and experience before morning comes!

For foods, It’s Josephine’s Seafood Restaurant, the ambience so relaxing.

For lunch, It’s our favorite,Oyster Rockefeller, One of the best served in the restaurant.

Crispy Pata was crispy and delicious.

As the result, it was a wonderful vacation for all of us. It was a a broad hide-away to escape the city traffic and home worries. My journey continues next post…

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

SUNFLOWER FARM

By livelifeandlove on April 23, 2014

After my 3 days vacation in Tagaytay, one of the best features that I will highlight here is the Sunflower field. It’s not that hard to find this common kind because it is wild form. As you know, sunflowers can withstand the dry conditions of the soil. I’ve noticed that sunflower grow and spread faster especially if the space is not limited.

With the rich soil and temperate climate of Tagaytay, all the subdivision vacant plots was loaded with these flowers and some growing salad vegetables. Exploring the farm under full bright sun makes me feel exhausted, the heat of the sun was so intense that makes my skin bit darker. However, the sky clouds seemingly low and blue in color, thought it would make a beautiful background to produce lovely shots.

Gardening was much improved over the years, the presence of different species of flowering plants and wild forms have flourished. If you follow the routes going to the tropical forest, you’ll discover unique varieties with wide range and colors.

Sunflower produces wide golden-yellow blooms which is abundant throughout summer. From the name itself, of course, sunflower is a summer flower that loves the sun. Attractive as it looks, big lovely splash of golden-yellow petals makes the best decorative background in the farm. For me, every garden must have the wild side, the attendance of wild sunflowers must be present for the garden to look brilliantly natural.

Would love to take home some, I want a sunflower garden of my own. I’ve collected some dried sunflowers so I can get seeds from it. Sunflowers can be raised from seeds. I’ll bring it home and scatter those seeds in the garden.

Here are some of the photos I took during the first day of my vacation there. Lets get started!

(Click on images to view larger)

Nature’s view, it was wild and lovely in full golden yellow.

Wild blooms, rows of yellow wild and free.

You can see here, the clear view, beside the field is a summer house.

Sky viewing with the sunflowers. I feel like cutting these flowers, it would probably looks lovely over my left ear.

Here’s catching higher view, the sunflower plant is taller than me.

I’ve seen sunflowers around so many instances but, closer distance makes the difference.

I have to raise my camera in order to include the sky background.

Wide spread, my individual photo of sunflower.

How I wish to pick up some for my vases but, I didn’t bring any gardening tools, the stem was so hard.

I’ve seen giant sunflowers so many other instances but closer distance makes a big difference, you can touch it and see closer to the pollinating insects nearby.

I’m glad ,all shots came up to be beautiful, the clear blue sky make candid shots to bring out the beauty of the sunflowers.I hope you’ll like it. More garden flowers of Tagaytay next, my journey continues next posts.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

HIBISCUS VARIETIES

By livelifeandlove on April 10, 2014

We call it ”Gumamela”, a common kind of flowers grown in the Philippines. The most popular one is the Chinese Hibiscus which is red in color and generally the ”Rose of China”.Today, there are many varieties of hibiscus to choose from, all different in colors sizes and texture. We also have the single type and the doubled flower of every size and shape. Some hibiscus was discovered growing wild in tropical regions. These are sun loving flowers, they can tolerate high levels of light and the kind of flowers found throughout the year in any garden or in native habitat. Always seen around because it’s extremely easy to grow in any types of soil. Here are some photos of hibiscus flowers taken during my free time.

(Click on images to view larger)

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects

PHALAENOPSIS AMABILIS

By livelifeandlove on April 3, 2014

Phalaenopsis Amabilis, a shade loving orchids with clear white flowers. Grown under the tree, there’s no direct sunlight which is favorable to these type of orchids. I just love that lavish blooms in clusters.

We have had a collection of orchids like; Cattleya, Miltonia, Phalaenopsis and particularly the Odontoglossum. Some rare species of hybrids, the most popular and common ones but, I don’t know why they disappeared one after the other. Others grown in fir slabs, pots for my window decorations, baskets and coconut trunk.

I think, I have failed to give continuously the special attention of caring and watering or might be over-watering. I noticed every time the presence of mould, circular marks and black dried spots on the leaves that quickly spreads throughout killing the whole plant. Is it a virus infection? I don’t know. I cannot even distinguished which one was attacked by virus and sunburn, the sign looks almost the same. Sometimes I was thinking of our location, it might be too hot, that makes it very hard for them to reach the required temperature.

Of course, I know the basic requirements but the problem is the irregularity of watering and sometimes it’s over-watering. I was too busy for other things every time then, it’s only now that I have the interest again to care for some flowering plants. It’s summer, Is it the right time to start? What do you think? Which one is suitable and which one is not? I need help!

(Click on images to view larger)

It’s an outdoor orchids, these one is clinging to the tree trunk that serves as convenient support.

If ever I will collect again, just to make sure I will choose the species suitable to the kind of atmosphere here.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

PRIVATE HAWK MOTH

By livelifeandlove on March 26, 2014

Private hawk moth

The kind of moth that will come as something of a surprise, it’s another night flyer, a private hawk moth found near the garden decorative light. Just like other moths, I guess this moth was attracted to the garden lights. I’ve observed that hindwing is more attractive and colorful than the forewing. I’ve never seen one like this before. You can only see the color of the hindwings while flying. That makes it completely different to that of the butterfly, the butterfly forewing and hindwing colors are the same. I simply believed, our garden here is a natural one housing all different kinds of insects. Perhaps, without these insects, it wouldn’t be a garden anymore.

The private hawk moth hindwing is partly hidden. You can see the dark pink and light pink dotted combination of the hindwings.

The natural color of the forewings.

Note: (Click on images to view larger)

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects

ROSES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

By livelifeandlove on March 18, 2014

Roses, as highly recommended during Valentine’s day, it’s the time of the year that million of rose lovers throughout the planet remember their favorite presents for their loved ones. If not chocolates or cute stuffs, it’s roses because majority prefer fragrant flowers as a gift. Giving such, is particularly appreciated. It creates an attitude of praise between the sender and the receiver.

How it works? Let’s make a bit review.The sender wants the best gift to represent the character side and nature of the receiver that she’s lovely and sweet. These flowers will represent and reveal the exact personality of the receiver. It speaks for it. However, on the other side, the receiver simply thinks that the sender is not only thoughtful and loving as well. It will reciprocate the same admiration to both sides.

It’s a practice believed that roses are spice of love and soon it brings a spice for life. Clearly, it’s a symbol of love. Me, myself still receiving the same kind of flowers from the same person up to the present. It’s just like saying, I’m still lovely and sweet after all these years, Honestly speaking and not to be proud off, still I am! LOL!

When getting to know more about someone,giving roses is a great way to catch attention or, you may want to start a relationship all over again. I’m sure you’ll earn a good impression while it lasts.

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