My Plumbago plant.

 

I have been having this plant for a long, long time.  A real beauty and needs little care.

The Plumbago plant, scientifically known as Plumbago auriculata, is a beautiful shrub that's also referred to as the Cape plumbago or sky flower. 

Origin: It is native to South Africa and thrives in warm climates.

Size: In its natural habitat, it can grow between 6 to 10 feet tall with a similar spread.

Appearance: Plumbago is known for its sprawling branches that resemble vines and is prized for its profusion of blue phlox-like flowers.

Growth Conditions: It blooms best in full sun but can tolerate some shade. It prefers fertile, well-drained soil but isn't too fussy about the soil type.

Hardiness: It's a hardy plant that, once established, is drought-resistant and has few pests or diseases.

Care: The plant may become leggy, so occasional pruning is part of its care. However, excessive pruning can reduce blooming.

Propagating the Plumbago plant can be done through several methods, including stem cuttings, root cuttings, and seeds. Here's a step-by-step guide for each method:

Best to propagate the plant by stem cuttings.

Stem Cuttings:

1. Take 3 to 4-inch long cuttings from a healthy Plumbago plant.

2. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage root growth.

3. Plant the cuttings in well-draining soil, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.

4. Place the cuttings in a warm, bright location but out of direct sunlight until roots develop.

5. Once rooted, transplant them to a larger pot or your garden.

Heritage Gallery by Old Town White Coffee

The new building looks great at night.  Like the high arched windows. The gallery is at the top floor.  

Bobo Chacha with their own peculiar mix of ingredients. Came in a single bowl.  Asked for another bowl to share the goodie. 

Ginger chicken rice.

Ground floor near the main counter.  The staircase is just beyond.  There is no lift for the elderly to visit the heritage gallery upstairs.

The side entrance with the main counter on the right.

Some old pics showing people making coffee.  Perhaps the original brew. 

Another sitting area on the mezzanine floor.

Old Town Earth Cafe.  Not sure what it is all about regarding the Earth.  

The Gallery.  All about local coffee stuff. 

This is the store where one can buy coffee home. 

Area to sample coffee products on sale.  No barista today.

A view of the street below from the veranda on the highest floor. 

Interesting place to visit.  Grandiose building! 

 

Figs

Early morning garden walk well rewarded. Harvested the fruits well before the real birds woke up and ate them. 

Fig plants are easy to grow and maintain.  Hardly any insect attack. Need to fertilise them often and prune them low for easy fruit harvesting. 

King of Siam visited Perak

 

Vajiravudh (Rama VI) was the King of Siam who reigned from 1910 to 1925. Accompanied by his concubine, Suvadhana, Vajiravudh visited the Federated Malay States in 1924. The visit was reported to allow Vajiravudh to acquaint himself with the railway system of the FMS, especially when both nations are now linked by rail. Vajiravudh had a stopover in Kuala Kangsar where he was greeted by Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Idris I. Following this stop, the King of Siam continued his rail journey to Singapore, stopping at Ipoh where he met a few prominent residents including Leong Sin Nam, a well-known tin miner.

Footnote: In 1910, Vajiravudh founded an all-boys boarding college, Vajiravudh College, in Bangkok. He also introduced rugby as the college’s main sport so that the college boys would learn the virtue of sportsmanship. Interestingly, 36 years after Vajiravudh’s visit to Kuala Kangsar, an annual friendly rugby match between Vajiravudh College and Malay College Kuala Kangsar has become tradition.

Reference:1. Wikipedia. Rama VI.

2. Our royal visitor. King Rama VI of Siam. Malayan Saturday Post. 1924 September 27.

3. Wikipedia. Leong Sin Nam.

Article from: SembangKuala.

Award given to Leong Sin Nam.

Final Tribute to Leong Sin Nam. January 1940.

Ms Deng Yu of NUS is writing a thesis on the Chinese Consul General of Singapore.  She did some research and found some pictures of LSN with Mr Kao, the Chinese Consul General of Singapore.  I searched my archive and found these other photos which I wish to share with her and you during this Cheng Beng. 

Deng Yu's message on examining this photo collection: "In British Malaya(1930-1940s), we only have one Chinese Consul General, and two Chinese Consuls. All of them came to Mr. Leong Sin Nam's funeral."