Well-being Landscape – Suria Helang Lui

08 Sep 2018

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In the Greenhouse: Part 1

I love my whole farm but the one place that I spend a lot of time at is in my greenhouse. My

greenhouse is designed to serve as my seeding area, fertiliser production mix area, my lab to test out elements in growing plants such as water, pest control and fertilisers, an area to plant the plants that require substantial TLC, a place to propagate plants as well as acclimatisation of plants before being planted outdoors or indoors.

The roof is almost totally plastic roofing sheets (similar to the zinc roofing sheets) to allow sunlight in but keep the rain out hence it is where I can work rain or shine. The walls are half brick and specially-crafted lattice wood with netting to reduce the amount of pests that can enter the greenhouse. It is impossible to keep everything out as some are so tiny – almost like a speck of dirt size such as the whiteflies. It is half bricks because on some area along the sides, I have built a cement rack that serves as seed germination and seedling area as well as newly propagated plants area. Over the years, it has evolved from the simple design of 30 feet by 20 feet size to 60 feet by 20 feet and current setup. By starting from a simple design, it allowed me time to test and figure out how I wanted my greenhouse to be to suit with the activities as well as my style of working. It is a personal design space that I also enjoy relaxing in and getting oxygen therapy.

As all the plants at the farm either are edible or therapeutic or both, the same types are planted in the greenhouse. Working with my hands sometimes causes me to get cuts and nicks so I have my first aid plants in the greenhouse too. The Indian Borage, Variegated Borage and Aloe Vera are my basics. The borage with its antiseptic properties are great for cuts. I just wash the affected area and mash the leaves and apply to the cut. In a few minutes, it is taken care of and I can resume what I was doing. If I get an inflammation on my skin, I just get the above vera leaf and get the gel and apply. I also use the borage leaves to create an instant pest repellant by crushing the leaves in water and using the resulting liquid to spray on the plants. It also has anti-viral and anti-fungus properties to care for the health of my plants. Being non-toxic, I don’t have to worry about using protective gear. As I am creating the liquid, at the same time, I am also cleansing my hands from unwanted bacteria.

Both plants are easy to propagate. For the borage, I propagate from stem cuttings. The aloe vera produces its own platelets which I will transplant to a separate container. As I use them regularly, I propagate them often.

One of my favourite vegetable fruit is tomatoes. They require a lot of care both from a pest control, fertilisation and water when grown organically and free from hormones as well. It requires routine pest control activity as many pest love it like the whiteflies, aphids, black mold and ants to name a few. The pests encourage each other. With whiteflies, comes the aphids. Then come the black mold and the ants. Hence, it is imperative to control it from the beginning of the whiteflies. I mix my own fertiliser from base ingredients like chicken manure, goat manure, compost, eco enzyme (a.k.a. garbage enzyme) and EM-1. I tend to mix them depending on the growth and condition of the plant as having the fertiliser production mix are in the greenhouse, it makes it easier for me to get it done.

Currently I have 3 varieties in various stages growing: Hybrid tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes and Heirloom tomatoes. Although I have grown the hybrid and cherry tomatoes side by side, I planted the heirloom tomatoes separately in their own bed, separated by another planting bed as well as walkway. I intend to save the seeds from the heirloom tomatoes in my seed bank. These plants need to have their soil topped-up to cover their roots every so often so having my planting soil mixture area in the greenhouse also makes it convenient. I will not plant them outside as then they will be exposed to many more pests including birds and my free-range chickens. I have tried planting them outdoors but have always lost to the birds, chickens and other pests.

I also do companion planting in the greenhouse hence I also have various types of chilli plants in the greenhouse. Although I do not eat much chillies, there are many around me who do. I have a few varieties planted including habaneros, thai chilli and cili api. I have the habaneros in a row but have the others planted in polybags in different sections of the greenhouse. These plants also are a favourite of the whiteflies so whenever I do my pest control spray, I spray them at the same time too. They also need to be fertilised rather frequently – once a week – so having them in the greenhouse also reduces time for fertilisation as I also custom fertilise them depending on the stage and any problems that I see with them.

I tend to spend hours at a time in the greenhouse so I also plant some ulam for me to munch on as

snacks. One of my favourite plants – not only for taste but also because I think it is beautiful – is the Sambung Nyawa Batik. I plant them in containers in a few locations. Whenever I feel like munching on something, I just get a few leaves, rinse them and munch. They are easy to propagate and with proper care, are vigorous growers.

The story of the plants in the greenhouse continues in Part 2.

11 Jun 2018

2 Comments By admin Armchair journal, Articles, Edible Landscape, Well-being Landscape

Plants and trees want a good home, food and water too

I started my farm from basically ground zero without any formal training or education in botany, horticulture or agriculture but I wanted to plan for my retirement. Along the way, I have discovered many things, experienced the wonders of nature and developed a better understanding of the connectivity between the various forms on earth.

1. Plant for the climate
We are often trying to plant things that aren’t suitable for our climate without making adjustments and this includes flowering and fruiting plants. If we do not take climate and environmental factors, we are setting ourselves up for failure and disappointment. Hence, I would always encourage newbies to plant local plants for their initial. We have an abundance of local plants covering a wide array of taste so let us set ourselves up for success as we learn and gain knowledge. Just looking at what we can plant for vegetables, there is so many to choose from. For initial quick success, try planting one that you can harvest within 30-45 days. It may seem like a long time when you first start out but as you observe the progress, you will find that time just flies by.

2. There are no guarantees
Life is filled with the unexpected and challenges and it is applicable to when we try to grow plants too. Even if you follow step-by-step directions, it doesn’t guarantee you will get the same outcome every time because the natural factors are fluid. However, if you start with good soil conditions, you have increased your probability of success. The soil for the plants need to be suited for the plant we want to grow. For example, if you are planting orchids, you need a soil composition that allows for quick drying of water as it doesn’t tolerate soggy soil conditions well. On the other hand, if you are planting vegetables, you need a soil composition that allows the soil to remain moist longer but not soggy to provide water to the roots throughout the day especially during the hottest part of the day. Hence, if you plant in unsuitable soil composition, you can end up with unhealthy plants or dead plants in spite of you attempts at fertilising, watering and pest control efforts.

3. Army of underground soldiers

Many are not aware of the army of underground soldiers that contribute to the health and welfare of you plants. The smallest size ones are beneficial microbes which amongst its function is to make the nutrients in the soil bioavailable to the plants. In human terms, it is like you preparing and cooking the chicken before you consume it. You need to do that before you can eat it so your body can
process it to extract nutrients for your body. Similarly, these microbes will breakdown the complex form of the nutrients into a form that can be assimilated by the plants for it nutrient. The planting soil lacking these can result in the plants not being able to absorb sufficient nutrients it needs so although you may be putting fertilisers aplenty, the plant may not be getting the benefits because it isn’t in a form the plant can “eat”.
Another soldier that we want aplenty in our planting soil is earthworms. They help loosen the soil and aerate it as well as process the raw soil producing nutrients that can be “eaten” by the plants. Hence, in recent years the rise of vermicompost and vermicast as well as the use of worms to process organic waster to produce food for plants in the form of vermicast and vermicompost.
However not all these underground live forms are friendly so you need to get rid of the unfriendlies.

4. Army of aboveground soldiers
If you have a fruiting garden, these aboveground soldiers are important as they help in the pollination process hence you need to consider having flowering plants that encourage these friendly soldiers to visit your garden. Bees and ladybirds are my favourites for effective pollination. If you do not get regular visits from these friendlies, you may find that your fruiting garden doesn’t produce fruits in spite of it flowering boundlessly and this includes fruits like cucumber, melons and various other non self pollinating plants. Hence some people find that they need to resort to hand pollination i.e. personally mimicking the activity of these pollinating insects such as using light brush strokes from the male flower to the female flower.

5. Food for plants and trees
Different plants and trees need different types of food but the basic separation is between leaves only and flowering/fruiting plants. The basic nutrients we often see mentioned is Nitrogen(N), Phosphorous(P) and Potassium (K). This is the starting point. From then on, to have a bountiful plant, there are additional nutrients that will help and support the plant development. Fruiting plants need magnesium to help support the development of fruits. Calcium also support certain aspects of the plant development. Then you also have fish amino acids. There are so many different types of fertilisers that at times it boggles the mind and sometimes, we can get carried away with purchasing fertilisers because we have heard that it is good without thinking if it is useful or practical for our own usage. Some we end up with bottle of fertilisers and at times also cause over-fertilising which inadvertently kills the plants. Just think of it similar to humans bulking up on a certain nutrient or supplement and getting a toxic reaction to it which could also lead to organ failure and death. It is easier to cause death by over-fertilisation using chemical fertilisers than natural organic fertilisers so I always opt for the latter. Over the years I have narrowed down my fertilisers to 3 kinds: (1) fish amino acid based fertiliser (2) goat manure based fertiliser and (3) enzyme based fertiliser. I find that applying them at appropriate times gives me the results that I want and it has helped me “declutter” the fertilisers.

6. All live forms need water
Water is important to our plants and it is essential that we understand their needs. Some thrive in abundance of water while others will drown to death. Some thrive in just “touching” water whilst others will die of thirst. Some just want regular watering and some want to have moisture available all the time. Select the plant you want to grow based on your water “availability”. This way, you can reduce your chances of killing a plant. The right type of water can also affect your plants. Some plants can tolerated slightly acidic water whilst others may get sick. To be safe, try to water with “clean” water. If you capture rain water and you are living in the city where there is significant traffic pollution, you might want to consider letting the water “sit” for a couple of days after capture so that the acids have a chance to dissipate from the water.

These are some of the basics that I live by now but then again, it is not the end. I continue to encounter new discoveries and gain new knowledge that it keeps me mentally challenged and physically active. To this end, I can see it as an activity that I can continue to do in she Allah till the day I die and continue to have a fruitful, contributing life.

25 Jul 2017

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Bedroom must-have plant: Mother-in-law plant or Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

As part of natural therapy and incorporating simple ideas into our daily lives, I began to look for plants that improves our environment. For me, hands-down, this is the plant to have in every bedroom and not just one, tiny plant but several if you have the room. The Sansevieria trifasciata has 2 main varieties that most of us are familiar with: the one with the yellow stripe along the leave outer edge is also known as the Mother-in-law plant and the one without the stripe is knows as the Snake plant. Both have geometric patterns that look like scales all over the leave except for the edges.

This plant is very easy to care for as it requires minimal sunlight as well as can withstand long periods without watering. What this means is if you place the plant near a window that gets minimal sunlight, you are set. If you place it in a space that receives no sunlight, just let it sunbathe once in a while. If you are one of those who always forget to water the plants, this plant can tolerate weeks of not watering. so, when you remember, you water it. I know of no other plant that is so resilient and easy to care for.

For barely caring for this plant, you reap tremendous benefits. It is one of the best natural air purifiers and has had numerous studies done including by NASA which has ranked it as the top plant for air purifying as it purifies over 100 different toxins including formaldehyde, xylene, benzene and nitrogen oxide. The main source of xylene is the automotive exhaust and various solvents. It is also released in petroleum processing such as refineries. So, if you have an office at a refinery, you should have this plant in your office. You can read more on the toxicology report published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). Formaldehyde is also commonly emitted from furnishings such as wood or plywood furniture, carpets as well as from automotive combustions. A more detailed report on emissions can be found in an article from the U.S. National Institute of Health as well as other regulatory bodies. Formaldehyde affects your respiratory system and is also classified as a carcinogen. With new furniture, it may emit for several months. So, if you just move into a new home, an easy way to detoxify the air is by having this plant throughout your house. Formaldehyde can also be emitted from candle burning, incense burning and cooking – activities which seem harmless. You can research more into the other toxins but you can be assured, there is nothing good about them. Just by having this plant in your home or office space, you can improve your air quality substantially and it is a painless method that requires very little effort on your part but delivers tremendous benefits.

Unlike most other plants which use oxygen at night, this plant releases oxygen. So while your body is doing its repair work while you sleep at night, you are also getting “oxygen therapy”. The leaves are not toxic so the plant is safe around children and pets unlike the money plant, which has toxic leaves.

As a result, over the last month, I have been seriously cultivating the plant and placing it all over my home, especially in the bedrooms. I also place it in the bathrooms. This is one plant that I think is wonderful as a air purifies and providing additional oxygen at night whilst requiring very little effort on the owners part. I can think of no reason not to have this plant in our homes. Can you?

17 Mar 2017

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My plant choices: Flowering Shrub Plants

At the heart of it all, every plant that I plant has to have some practical use from being a basic edible plant to plants with a therapeutic benefit. I also love flowers so I combine the two criteria and found many plants that fit them. My additional criteria was that as far as possible it has to be local and fit in our great tropical climate. Of course I cannot plant them all and had to make the difficult choice of narrowing them down. All the choices I list below can be planted either in the ground or in containers. By regular pruning, the plants can be shaped and kept productive as the pruning encourages new shoots to appear.

My favourites are:
Misai Kuching (Cat’s whiskers)
There is basically 2 varieties: 1 with white flowers and the other with lilac flowers. I have a preference for lilac so I elected to choose this variety. They are easy to care for and to propagate. They produce lovely showy flowers and have pretty leaves. It gives me the added benefit of being able to make organic misai kucing tea which has many therapeutic benefits but the one I love most is as a blood cleanser. This is my go-to tea who I am eating high sugar content foods and these include fruits like durians and mangosteens apart from those lovely desserts. These a perennial plants that requires minimal car although with periodic fertilising, it produces more flowers and more leaves.

Roselle (Asam Belanda)
This plant is in the hibiscus family and best propagated from seeds although it can be propagated from stem cuttings. It produces showy pink flowers with a maroon or deep red centre. The flowers turn into calyces and these can be transformed to a drink rich in vitamins especially vitamin C. The seed pods are within the calyx and good quality seeds are produced from fully matured calyces. The leaves are green with a red tinge to it and can be dried and converted to tea. Even the leaf stem can be used in making a drink. Be forewarned, the leave, stem and calyx all taste sour so you might want to sweeten your drinks with honey or brown sugar. Because of its sourness, the leaves are also used in cooking to flavour dishes. The calyces can also be turned into preserves and conserves. These are perennial plants.

Okra (Bendi)
Although this plant is an annual, it is easy to propagate from seeds and easy to grow. It produced bright yellow flowers with a dark red centre. The pollinated flowers turn into the fruit, okra, which has many health benefits apart from being tasty. This plant is prone to some pests that will attack the leaves and fruit but this can be controlled with the use of enzyme fertiliser with pest control that will provide fertiliser for the plant whilst keeping the pest away.

Eggplant/Brinjals (Terung)
There are so many varieties with the fruit being green (bright yellow when “ripe), white and purple. The flowers tend to be either purple petals with yellow centre or white petals with yellow centre. Planting these plants give you the added benefit of harvesting for your dinner table. The purple eggplant is especially beneficial with the nasurin content in the purple skin which is provides beneficial nutrient to our brain. Regular fertilisation with fertilisers that also contain magnesium and calcium can help in increasing the flowers produced leading to more fruits.

04 Nov 2016

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Mahkota Dewa – one of our heritage plants

I have a keen interest in natural alternative therapies hence my deep interest of the various herbal plants and trees that is part of our heritage. The Mahkota Dewa or God’s Crown (scientific name:
Phaleria macrocarpa) is indigenous to Malaysia and Indonesia. It can be grown in containers as well as in the ground. I planted my from seed and it took 1 1/2 years before it started to flower and fruit. I have two of these trees, both sprouted from seeds, but the one that is planted in a container in the greenhouse is doing much better. I guess it is because it receives more care than the one planted outdoors.

It takes between 10-14 days for the seed to germinate. The soil used is a mixture of 3:1 ratio of soil and organic matter. It requires minimal fertilisation – I fertilise it quarterly with an organic fertiliser mixture that also contains calcium and magnesium along with potassium, nitrogen and phosphorous. It is an evergreen tree and can grow up to 18m tall. It can grow in full sun to partial sun areas. The tree in the container is about 1m tall and is already flowering and fruiting. I use an 18″ high polybag with a 12″ diameter. The tree produces dainty white flower clusters which when pollinated, produces bright red fruits when ripen.

In traditional Malay therapy, it is used to treat diabetes, cancer of the lungs,

hepatitis, lower cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure and several others. The fruit has therapeutic properties such as:

antioxidant,
anti-tumor,
antiviral,
antibacterial,
anti-hyperglycaemia and
anti-diarrhoea.

The main part that is used is the ripe red fruit. as well as the mature leaves. The fruit can sliced and dried for storage for later use. The leaves can also be dried for storage for later use.

Amongst the side effects of the fruit is headaches and can be poisonous if it is over-consumed. It is also not recommended for pregnant ladies. The normal method of consumption is by drinking the liquid resulting from boiling 3-5 fruits in 1 later of water and until it has reduced to 650ml or reduced by 2/3. It is then consumed 1/3 at a time. As with any herbal therapy, it is best to consult a herbalist first before consuming this.

12 Sep 2016

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More than just a flower, Roselle

Living in Malaysia, it is easy to grow Roselle (scientific name: Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Malay name: Asam Belanda) plants which are from the Hibiscus family. Given the right care, it produces flowers lavishly. The beautiful flowers have delicate petals of light pink incisor with a dark red centre. As part of your flowering edible landscape, it is a great choice. It can grow tall, reaching over 2m in height. The growth can be controlled by regular pruning which not only shapes the plant but at the same time encourage new growth which leads to more flowers.

Roselle is interesting in that it is what I call a flower fruit or the correct term is calyx (plural form: calyces). It is unique in shape and texture with a dark red color which turns almost black-red when dry. However, when you turn it into a juice, it become a blood red color. As part of a daily diet designed to promote good health, the juice is rich in vitamin C and other nutrients including anti-oxidants. For me, it is the drink of choice as opposed to processed fruit juices that contains all kinds of additives and artificial colouring.

Based on a study by Purdue University, it is high in calcium, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin C and iron. It is also caffeine-free hence it can be made as an after-dinner tea for those who cannot consume caffeine after late afternoon or they have a hard time sleeping.

It is easy to make the drink. Just peel-off the petals from the seed pod, chop it into small pieces, place it in a claypot and bring it to boil. A dark red liquid can be produced. The resulting liquid is very sour. Do not discard the chopped petals as it can be consumed either by adding it to the drink or turned into a jam. When it is drank warm, it is often referred to as Roselle tea but when it is drank cold, it is referred to as Roselle juice. The drink can be sweetened with honey, raw sugar or brown sugar. I do not recommend white sugar as it adds unhealthy benefits to the drink.

You can also use it in your cooking to add the sour flavour as well as red color to your dish.

I am not a proponent of artificially and chemically produced supplements or supplements that undergo chemical process and later have all kinds of additives and preservatives hence the drink is one of my choice of drinks for vitamin C.

It also has anti-hypertensive properties and studies have been done and found that it produces a positive effect in lowering blood pressure – another plus for me as being from a family of history of high blood pressure, I see this drink as a preventive as well as a curative measure. With our hot climate, it is a cooling drink to help quench thirst.

I am recovering from a cold so this is my daily drink now with its high natural ascorbic acid content (vitamin C) as well as the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to aid in natural healing.

The Roselle can also be made into a probiotic drink by undergoing a fermentation process. The benefit of doing this is apart from the probiotics, you can store the fermented concentrate for a long period without the need for refrigeration.

All in all, why I love it as a daily drink or regular drink : I get my vitamins and minerals which help me boost my immune system, reduces hypertension (my blood pressure will rise after a hot day working outdoors), quench my thirst, increase my metabolism and reduce the hydrolysation of starch to sugar), cancer prevention, decreases bronchoconstriction so I can breathe better and helps keep my bones and teeth healthy. What more can I ask from a drink? All these goodness also makes it the juice I choose for my 3 year-old – to me it is much better than a lot of the processed fruit juices out there – and he loves it.

As with many natural ways, it takes regular consumption to get the best benefits – it is not a miracle cure nor does it give immediate effects like pharmaceutical drugs. However, it is a way of enjoying healthy food for long term benefits without the many negative side effects. So, let us maximise one of nature’s bounty.

16 Aug 2016

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ORGME: SHL Enzyme Fertilisers with Pest Control

Having an organic farm, it is important for me that the fertilisers and pest control I use are organic and free from toxic chemicals. Moreover, I have a 3-year old who loves to help out especially when it comes to spraying. So over the years, I have been experimenting and came up with two liquid fertilisers that is non-toxic but yet fertilises the plants whilst controlling pests. All the ingredients used to create the concentrates are organic and natural based, available at the farm. This helps me ensure that no toxic chemicals are introduced. There is no need to use gloves and masks when handling the solution.

The Enzyme Fertiliser with Pest Control Concentrate is formulated for flowering and fruiting plants. It contains the various minerals like magnesium, calcium as well as the other essential nutrients for encouraging flowering and fruiting. It also helps to control pests like leaf miners and white flies. It is easily applied by diluting 1-2 capfuls with 1 liter of water, preferably unchlorinated water. Just spray it over the plant including the undersides of the leaves to fertilise whilst controlling pest. It can also be watered over the plant.

If a plant is infested, spray daily for about 3 days and thereafter, it can be applied 1-2 times a week. At the farm, I use it on all my fruiting plants including tomatoes, chillies and soursop.

This concentrate can also be used for cleaning such as counter tops, tiles and ceramic floors. It leaves a pleasant citrus with herbal aroma on the areas cleaned. To use, just dilute 1-2 capfuls in 1 later of water and use it to spray to counter tops or place in a pail to use for mopping the floor. No need to rinse with water and is non-toxic. It is sold in 500ml bottles and priced at RM 10.

The Green Enzyme Fertiliser with Pest Control Concentrate is formulated to encourage and care for foliage. It contains various nutrients to encourage foliage growth. It also helps control pests including leaf miners. It is easily applied by diluting 1-2 capfuls with 1 liter of water, preferably unchlorinated water. Just spray it over the plant to fertilise whilst controlling pest. It can also be watered over the plant.

If a plant is infested, spray daily for about 3 days and thereafter, it can be applied 1-2 times a week. At the farm, I use it on all vegetables and herbs such as pak choy, kailan, kale, spinach and various basil plant. It is sold in 500ml bottles and priced at RM 10.

Currently, these products are available directly from us.

10 Jul 2016

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The beauty of temulawak

I got so many queries on this plant after I posted the picture of its beautiful flower so I hope this short article may help answer most of the questions.

The temulawak (curcuma zanthorrhiza) or known as Javanese ginger is a “cousin” of the turmeric (curcuma long) hence the similar shaped flowers. Whilst the turmeric flower is of the same shape and is light green in color with yellow inner “buds”, the temulawak has a striking purple/pink flower with yellow inner buds. The flower is long lasting, from the initial flower to final bloom taking lasting over 1 month. The initial flower is pink with purple tips which turns into a lighter pink as it progresses through the blooming stage.

Being similar to turmeric, it has rhizomes from which it can be propagated. Although it is in the ginger family, the rhizomes are closer in appearance to the turmeric than ginger.

As with many rhizome-based plants, soil drainage is important to prevent the rhizomes from rotting due to water-logged soil. The soil composition should contain some sand as well as lots of organic matter. It doesn’t do well in heavy clay soil.

To differentiate the rhizomes from others of the same family, the inner rhizome is off-white in color and has a texture similar to the ginger but less fibrous. IT has a brown rim around the edges. The rhizomes form a similar cluster to the turmeric rhizomes.

The rhizomes is used mainly in traditional therapy for treatment of certain illness as well as in skin care. It can also be used as a spice. It has a smell that is like a cross between ginger and turmeric. In traditional therapy, it has been used for overcoming kidney diseases, heartburn, lowering cholesterol and other types of illness. Being of the curcuma family, it has the similar benefits as turmeric.

This plant is easy to care for and can be grown either in a polybag or container, or in the ground. If it is grown in a polybag, water when the soil has dried. It doesn’t need much fertiliser but a soil with phosphorous and calcium will encourage it to flower. It grows in full sun or semi-shade.

The leaves are more similar to turmeric with a single leave per stalk from the main “stem” with the difference being a reddish-brown strip in the middle. It can grown to about 1m tall. As the plant grows, the rhizomes will multiply creating a cluster. The rhizome can be harvested when needed without affecting the overall health of the plant. You do not need to pull out the whole plant for harvesting.

This plant makes a lovely addition to your home garden providing beauty and benefits. Since it is easy to grow and maintain, you might want to consider planting this even if you are a beginner gardener. Happy planting.

05 May 2016

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Balancing Act: Cool trio for health

Part of the joy of gardening is being able to harvest produce for my table. I always like to looks for easy-to-grow and low-cost but with high health benefits plants. Amongst my mission is to go local, find combinations that we Malaysians can have without spending a fistful of ringgit. On top of that, it must also taste good otherwise how will I enjoy eating it? I suggest that you avoid those that grow in chemical loaded environments like the roadside and drains but stick to those grown organically or in clean environments.

This trio: Peperomia pellucid (Ketumpang Air or Sireh Cina), Wild Purslane (couldn’t find the Malay name for it) and Centella Asiatica (Pegaga) are all local and easy to grow. They can be grown in containers and all love water and grow well in moist soil conditions. By taking a look at their stems, you can get the idea that they require lots of water as the stems are all succulent-like. They grow well in full sun or semi-shade.

Ketumpang Air has a slight peppery taste with a crunchy texture. You can eat the leaves, stems and roots. Amongst its properties are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer. The one thing I love about this plant is the uric acid cleansing properties so when I eat beef or prawns (both items that I love), I like to make sure that I also eat this that day. It is is more for my preventive action from getting gout and joint pains – all related to high uric acid in the body. This is what I eat for my kidneys, joints, muscles and vitamins.

Wild Purslane taste like lettuce with a crunchy texture. I tend to only eat the leaves and stems. Amongst its properties are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and diuretic. The interesting thing about these leaves is it is high in omega-3-fatty acids so it is a good choice for vegetarians as well. This plant can serve as a much cheaper option for source of these good fatty acids, at a fraction of the cost of fish with its sky-rocketing price. This is what I eat for my heart as well as preventing high blood pressure and vitamins.

Pegaga has a mild spicy taste with crunchy leaves. I eat the leaves, stems and roots. Amongst its properties are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant and cognitive-enhancing. An interesting aspect of the leave is it contains elements that help increase the rate of collagen production as well as slow down the breakdown of collagen. What this means to me is it will help in keeping my skin “tight”. What a blessing – something natural and low-cost for my skin care something that almost all my female friends would appreciate and also men who care about their skin and looking “younger”. This is my skin care as well as all the vitamins.

Eaten it its raw form is what I like best and it gives me the added benefit of fiber. So at the end, is there any reason why not to eat these leaves? Eat in moderation and may we all enjoy the plentiful benefits without having to spend big “bucks” in supplements and can avoid drugs to treat a condition. I have not covered all the benefits but just the ones that are of interest to me 🙂

28 Aug 2015

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Cauliflower in the lowlands

Another plant that many have always said can only be grown in cooler areas such as Cameron Highlands is the cauliflower. I started these from seeds, germinating 1 tiny seed per seeding polybag of about 6cm in width and 10cm in height. I use a potting mix comprising of soil, mulch, and vermicompost. I lightly spread my soil mix over the seed, just enough to cover it and sprinkle water to moisten it. I sprinkle water on it daily and after about 7 – 10 days, it germinates with 2 heart-shaped leaves. It seems like the cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower all have similar first 2 leaves so if you germinating them at the same time, you might want to label it in some manner. The seeds do not germinate at the same time so do not get anxious if you see 1 or 2 sprout in the beginning. It is essential to obtain good seeds for good germination rate.

After the seedling have begun to produce 4 leaves, which takes about 10-15 days, I will then transplant them either to the ground or large polybags. The third and following leaves do not look like the initial 2 leaves. The soil composition is similar to what I use in the potting mix. By seeding in a small polybag, it allow me to reduce disruption to the roots so that it does;t go into shock when I
transplant it.

It takes about 3 months before the flowers will start to appear so be patient. Small patches of florets will appear. The thicker the stem is the healthier the plant is. It is important not to let the plant grow too long in the small polybag before transplanting to a bigger space or it will effect the growth and ultimately the size of the cauliflower produced. Keep the soil moist and fertilize fortnightly – small amounts – ensuring a steady supply of nutrients for growth.

As we do not use any hormones or other artificial additives, the growth rate of the florets takes about 1 month before you will get a good sized cauliflower. What I have learnt is the good fertilisation and water control as well as area size for growth of the plant makes a big difference to the health and growth of the plant and flower. By ensuring these factors are taken care of, there is no need to use chemical plant inducers. Applying a layer of mulch on the soil surface also helps to retain the water whilst keeping the soil moist not soggy which is detrimental to the plant as it will cause the stem to rot from over supply of water.

For pest control, we use our homemade effective microorganism with citronella spray. This serves as pest control as well as additional nutrients to the plant. Keeping it organic and free of chemicals gives me the freedom of enjoying the florets raw without having to use other chemical cleansers before consumption.

My conclusion: you can grow cauliflower in the lowlands and with the proper care, you will get to enjoy these delicious vegetable.

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Category: Well-being Landscape