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TEMPERATE FLOWERS 1
Temperate plants usually originated from areas where there is frost. Instead of a wet and dry season of somewhat constant temperatures in the tropics which we experience in Singapore, there is the polarity of winter and summer with spring and autumn in between. Geographically, the Northern Temperate Zone extends from the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North latitude) to the Arctic Circle (66.5° North latitude). The Southern Temperate Zone extends from the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° South latitude) to the Antarctic Circle (66.5° South latitude). Plants stop growing in winter whilst they are in full strength during summer. Considering that these plants need the winter chill in order to retain its vigour to grow and bloom well annually, it is not surprisingly that they fare very poorly here. The temperate zone can be divided into two categories: warm temperate and cool temperate. In warm temperate areas, winters are mild with short spring and autumn. There will be frost but heavy snow is rare and the ground rarely freezes. Camellia, evergreen Azalea, Narcissus and many wonderful South African shrubs are some of the plants. In the cool temperate areas, winters are longer with snow and the ground freezes to a centimeter or so. Summers are mild. Some of the typical plants found here are the roses, apples and plants giving the autumn colour from their dying leaves. In addition, many of the warm temperate plants can be grown here too but in sheltered spots. Sometimes,
knowing the truth can be very cruel indeed. Nevertheless, I still
buy them yearly to satisfy my temperate itch and that is what
Chinese New Year is for at least from my very subjective point
of view. I like Chinese New Year because of the flowers more than
anything else. Too old for ang pows now but it would be good if
relatives can substitute them with a temperate plant instead. Ha! The
plant can cost more than the ang pows.
Azalea (Rhododendron indicum) are very popular houseplants as they produce masses of brightly coloured flowers that cover almost its dark green foliage. They are warm temperate plants. I doubt you can find any plants that can produce so many flowers at one time. They come in all colours - from white and yellow through pink and orange to flame. They transplant very well due to their very shallow root systems. Thus if you are lucky to live near them, you can literally dig them up, pot them and bring them inside during Chinese New Year to enjoy their blooms before putting them back to nature again. I would strongly recommend this plant if you are not superstitious. Their blooms are very rewarding. Sometimes I do find their colours a bit too intense. But you don't complain okay?
When to purchase them As soon as they hit the shelves since the earlier you bring them home, the better will be their conditions. Nothing beats your care than the nurseries, right? Of course, it is better to wait until about two weeks before the Lunar New Year to purchase them so that they will be in full bloom on the first day of the Lunar New Year. How to select plants Do not select buds that are too small which may take at least 2 weeks or more before the petals will burst through the seams. Worst, it may fail to bloom. It is best to select plants when the petals have just started to appear since I doubt you would like to bring a white Azalea home for the New Year.
Price range $8 onwards. Flowering period Up to 4 weeks. Care (Rating: 2) Put it in a bright position and avoid direct sun. Azaleas are perfect plants for people who tend to overwater their plants. I have never come across any plants like Azalea that like water so much. Water at least twice a day or more especially during windy days and allow excess water to drain off before putting back to its original position. Avoid droughts at all costs.
After flowering (Rating: 1) Azaleas are difficult to rebloom as they require cool to chilling conditions for the buds to swell and bloom. Though it will set buds at the end of the new growths, the buds just fail to grow any larger. Occasionally, you are able to get one or two flowers during the raining season. After a while, you will have to discard the plant even though the plant continues to produce vegetative growth.
Begonia that are on sale during the Chinese New Year include
the following:
(a) Wax Begonia (Begonia semperflorens) Strictly speaking, wax Begonia are subtropical and are treated as annuals in temperate areas where there is frost. They are fibrous rooted Begonia which should not die back after flowering in areas that are frost-free and hence, they will be perennial in nature. Wax Begonia bear rather small, four-petalled blooms in abundance. There is a double form which is very pretty but is less heat resistant.
When to purchase them As and when you like it. How to select plants Select sturdy plants with lots of buds that will last through the New Year. Price range $6 onwards. Flowering period Will stop flowering once the weather has turns warmer since heat trapped inside our walls will be emitted at night unless you have a very windy balcony or corridor. Care (Rating: 3) They are very easy to care for provided the weather remains windy and cooling. They grow FAST! Bright indirect light is preferred for these darlings. Since they have very fine roots, you have to remember to water them at least once a day before you visit your relatives during the New Year. After flowering (Rating: 2) They will continue to grow and bloom provided the weather remains favourable. Any well drained soil will suit them. Feed them with a liquid fertiliser diluted at half-strength fortnightly. Soon your Begonia will become leggy and pruning is required. Besides keeping the plant compact, pruning will encourage more flowers to be formed since new flowers are produced at the leaf axils of the new shoots. You will be surprised that wax Begonia are very easily propagated by stem cuttings. They can be rooted in water in a bright area. Once the heat wave arrive, your begonia will stop growing and you may have to give them away.
(b) Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida) These are the large flowered Begonia that we are so crazy about and sometimes are mistaken as roses. They are grown from tubers just like our potatoes and unfortunately, most plants with big and showy flowers cannot be grown in Singapore.
When to purchase them When they are still in buds since flowers open very fast in warm weather. How to select plants Select those with as many buds as possible since you are going to throw them away after flowering. Price range $8 onwards. Flowering period A week or longer if weather is cooling enough. Care (Rating: 3) Bright indirect light will be sufficient. Care is easy since they are buy-and-throw plants. After flowering (Rating: 1) After flowering, the plant will not flower anymore and will gradually die back. Discard the plant. For the more adventurous, you may reduce watering and once the tubers show signs of dormancy, cut the top foliage and flowers within 13cm from the tuber. Remove the plant from the pot and place it in a tray. The remaining stalk will fall off naturally. Store the tuber in dry peat or sphagnum moss and inspect for signs of growth. Please note that the tuber needs to be stored in a cool place less than 20 °C which is not achievable under our local conditions. Even worse, the plant requires cool conditions in order to grow and bloom well. Do not be disheartened when the plant does not grow well. It is expected in our climate.
Most of us are familiar with Camellia sinensis whose leaves are used for making tea. Flowers are not as spectacular as Camellia japonica and there is a story that goes that the Chinese substituted plants of Camellia japonica when the English gardeners sought to import tea plants from China. The Camellia that are available for sale during Chinese New Year are mainly the cultivars of Camellia japonica imported either from China or Europe. The European ones are HUGE and very showy as compared to the Chinese ones. Camellia are warm temperate plants and bloom for a long season in winter, which is traditionally a dull period in temperate climate. They will continue to bloom in spring. They can withstand light frost and are happy to be left outdoors year after year. Camellia which are as old as three hundred years old are known in China and Japan. No doubt, they are popular among the gardeners, as they do not require greenhouse treatment during winter. Personally I prefer Camellia than roses as the latter are prickly but sadly, you can never rebloom Camellia in tropical Singapore.
When to purchase them If you REALLY want to buy them, purchase them as close to the New Year as possible with some opened flowers so that they can last during Chinese New Year. How to select plants For Camellia, the 'lots of buds' rule does not apply as only the partially open ones will bloom. In spite of that, it is not guaranteed that they will bloom fully. As a result, I only have a few pictures to show you in this subsection, as it is not easy to catch them in their glory here. Price range $38 and above. Flowering period Unpredictable. May not even flower. Care (Rating: 2) Put it in a semi shade position and water once a day. Whether you are successful with Camellia depends largely on the weather during the festive period. After flowering (Rating: 1) Discard them after the new year as they will NEVER bloom here again! They may grow but they look very sickly due to heat stresses and the whole plant will have to be discarded.
Other than the roses and orchids, Chrysanthemum are perhaps the next most popular flowering plant in Singapore during Chinese New Year. Their light fragrance somehow remind me of Chinese New Year and I will feel very relaxed as I spend my afternoons looking at the brightly coloured flowers. In commercial nurseries, Chrysanthemum are raised in dark greenhouses and are tricked into early flowering by exposing them to longer nights. Yes, they are short-day plants as characterized by a longer night duration during autumn. The all time Christmas favorites, poinsettias are also short-day plants and will set buds when it is subjected to at least 18 hours of night for a period of three months. When to purchase them It is best to purchase them two weeks or later prior the Chinese New Year as Chrysanthemum have a bad reputation for opening too fast before New Year has even started. Flowers tend to open very fast as the weather turns warmer to facilitate the job of the pollinators since most of the bees, butterflies and sun birds are only active when the sun is shining. Thus the hotter the weather, the better will be the blooms. You may need to rush down to a nearby nursery to grab your Chrysanthemum earlier than the rains once the meteorological services station forecasts a wet period in the coming weeks of January.
How to select plants It is best to purchase plants with partially opened flowers so that you can be assured that they will bloom for you as the Chinese New Year approaches. Refrain from buying plants with closed buds as Chrysanthemum suffer from bud blast quite often. Try to avoid plants with buds that are wet due to the careless watering by the nursery workers as it may lead to rot when you bring them home. Finally, look at the base of the plant for any side shoots as these can be nurtured into new plants when the plant has finished flowering though this is not crucial. Price range $6 onwards.
Flowering period Up
to 2 weeks. Care (Rating: 3) Chrysanthemum are very sensitive to overwatering as their stems will rot when they are given too much water. Water once a day and drain off any excess water. Put them in a brightly lit area to enhance the flower colours. Flowers need light to open. After flowering (Rating: 2) Since most of them are imported from Cameron Highlands, it may be tricky to rebloom them. They will perish in our heat and may need to be discarded after flowering. However, some may have side shoots at the base and may grow into new plants. Prune the plants to about 15 cm from the base to allow the side shoots to mature. Light shade is required as they will perish under direct sun.
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