Busy month

While exams are nearing for me, and have not much time to do gardening, I'm doing a little stem cutting project! Building up an army of periwinkle! :D

Root growing from a stem cutting

Potting the periwinkle and another plant :)

Decided to do more stem cutting since the first one was successful

The Delicious Monster

The Leaf of Monstera deliciosa

 This unique looking plant is called the Monstera deliciosa, which means "Monster delicious". A very weird and funny name which makes me wonder what the person who named it was thinking.. Its juvenile leaves do not have that many lobes and holes or maybe not at all. The leaf shown above is a mature leaf of the plant. So next time you come across this plant outside, you can give your friends a good laugh by telling them the name of this plant! =D

Family Name: Araceae
Characteristics: -Monocot
                          -Sun Requirement: Partial sun, Shade
                          -Leaf Characteristics: Simple, Juvenile leaves are small and heart-shaped, mature
                           leaves have many lobes and holes (>50cm), Alternate Leaf Arrangement
                          -Flowers: Spadix
                          -Propagation Method: Stem cutting

In case you're wondering what a spadix is, here is an example

Weekend gardening :D

Here are some pictures of my weekend gardening! Sowing some seeds and stem cutting some Alternanthera. :) Enjoy!
For tips on stem cutting, you can go to:
 http://homeguides.sfgate.com/propagate-new-plants-stem-cuttings-oregano-24118.html

Stem Cutting

Placed soil into an aluminum tray

Placed the seeds in =D

Covering the tray to prevent loss of moisture

Measuring the moisture of the soil

Pilea cadierei

Pilea cadierei at bloom

Top view

Underside of the leaf

Another one of my favorite plant, Pilea cadierei, also known as the Aluminum plant. It makes a good indoor plant as it is easy to maintain. What makes it unique is the leaves of the plant. The leaves has silver marking between the veins which makes it look metalic. A very unique plant indeed!
Family name: Urticaceae
Characteristics: -Dicot
                        -Sun requirements: Partial sun, Shade
                        -Leaf characteristics: Simple, Variegated (White,Green), 
                                                          Opposite Leaf arrangement
                        -Flower is white (As shown in the first picture)
                        -Propagation: Stem cutting 


Find out more about this plant and its propagation method:
 http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/aluminum-plant.html