There were so many choices for masks. Each design was unique. The correct size of the mask was taken with the templates shown above.
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), also called bitter melon or peria, is a warm-season annual vine in most home gardens. Its fruiting life depends on climate, care, and variety:
🌱 Lifespan:
Bitter gourd is generally an annual plant. It grows vigorously for one season, flowers, fruits, and then declines.
🍈 Fruiting period:
The plant usually starts fruiting 60–70 days after sowing.
It will continue to bear fruits for 2–3 months, with peak production in the middle of this period.
In good tropical conditions (like Malaysia), with regular harvesting and care, it can sometimes keep fruiting for up to 4–5 months.
🥀 End of life:
After repeated fruiting, the vine becomes exhausted. Leaves yellow, disease or pests set in, and it eventually dies back.
🌦️ Perennial possibility:
In warm, frost-free areas, bitter gourd can act like a short-lived perennial if protected from pests and given good soil nutrition, but productivity drops sharply after the first main season. Farmers usually replant each season for reliable yield.
Some practical ways to prolong the fruiting period of bitter gourd and keep it productive for as long as possible:
Before flowering: Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., NPK 10:10:10) to encourage strong vine and leaf growth.
At flowering & fruiting: Switch to fertilizer richer in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) (e.g., NPK 5:10:15 or organic options like compost + wood ash + bone meal). This supports more flowers and better fruit set.
After each harvest cycle: Give a light top-dressing of compost or liquid fertilizer (fish emulsion, seaweed extract) to refresh the plant.
Train the vine on a trellis to improve airflow and reduce disease.
Remove old, yellowing leaves and weak side shoots so the plant focuses on new growth and fruiting branches.
Pinch off the tip of the main vine when it reaches about 6–7 nodes to encourage side branching, which produces more female flowers.
Harvest fruits when they are young and green (10–15 cm long, depending on variety).
Do not let fruits over-ripen on the vine (yellow or splitting) — this signals the plant to slow down fruit production.
Frequent harvesting (every 2–3 days) stimulates the plant to set new fruits.
Bitter gourd likes consistent soil moisture, but avoid waterlogging.
Mulch around the base with straw or dried leaves to keep soil cool and moist, reduce weeds, and add organic matter.
Common issues: fruit flies, aphids, powdery mildew.
Use neem spray, insecticidal soap, or sticky traps for insects.
Remove diseased leaves promptly.
Rotating planting beds each season helps reduce soil-borne problems.
Even with good care, yield naturally declines after a few months.
To maintain continuous harvest, stagger planting: sow a new batch of seeds every 4–6 weeks so fresh vines start fruiting when older ones decline.
👉 With these steps, you can often stretch the fruiting period to 4–5 months instead of the usual 2–3 months.
Happy learning and Happy holiday!
Pewter is primarily an alloy of tin, with small amounts of other metals for durability. Modern pewter is lead-free and safe to use. It consists of 95% tin, along with copper and antimony. Pewter is easy to shape.
The first pewter pitchers were produced in Europe, where they served wine and provided water during travel, especially on boats and ships. Pewter pitchers remained popular throughout early American history, serving water, milk, and other beverages in homes. During the Victorian era, they were used for social gatherings and parties.
Quill pens have a rich history dating back to the 6th century. These elegant writing tools were widely used during the Middle Ages and even played a role in significant historical moments. Crafted from bird feathers, particularly those of swans, geese, and turkeys, quill pens were prized for their durability and ability to hold ink. Writers would sharpen the feather's tip, hollow out a small section to hold ink, and then dip it into an ink bottle. The quill pen's reign eventually gave way to fountain pens, which allowed continuous writing without frequent ink refills. Still, the quill pen remains a symbol of education, literature, and artistic expression.
The addition of a metal nib to quill pens occurred during the 17th century. This innovation allowed for more precise writing and improved ink flow. The metal nib replaced the traditional feather tip, making quill pens even more versatile.
The word “candelabra” originated from Latin, where “candēlābrum” (candela, candle, -b(a)rum, holder) means a “candlestick.”
The earliest recorded candelabra dates back to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. These candelabras were typically made of bronze and served as candle holders with multiple arms.
In modern times, electricity has relegated candleholders to decorative use. Interior designers still draw inspiration from candelabra and candlesticks when creating light fixtures and accessories.
A Chinese porcelain teapot with a spout and handle, decorated in cobalt-blue to both sides with dragon design.
Blue and white porcelain with bird spout design and motifs of phoenixes. The blue and white color combination signifies purity and sophistication. These flasks were not only functional vessels but also symbols of status and taste.
Blue and white porcelain gained prominence during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) and reached its zenith in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
The blue and white Chinese porcelain vases have a fascinating history.
Ancient Mesopotamian Influence: Underglaze blue and white pottery was initially introduced by the ancient Mesopotamians, who used cobalt oxide pigment to imitate lapis lazuli. Later, during the Islamic Abbasid Caliphate, blue and white pottery gained popularity across the Middle East.
Chinese Beginnings: The very first blue and white pottery in China emerged during the early Tang dynasty (618–907 AD) in Henan. However, these early pieces were earthenware rather than porcelain.
Yuan Dynasty Innovations: As cobalt arrived in China via the Silk Road, Yuan dynasty potters experimented with it. The porous surface of the vessels required precise brushwork. Initially greyish black, the heat of glazing transformed the cobalt into a brilliant blue.
Ming Dynasty Transformation: When the Ming dynasty began in 1368, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (Hongwu Emperor) shifted from the detailed Islamic style to a dominant Chinese style.
In this vase, do you see the face of a person in the tree?
The hexagonal ceramic plant pot style has a rich history dating back centuries. It gained prominence during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) in China. Crafted by skilled artisans, these pots featured intricate designs, often incorporating blue and white patterns or floral motifs. They were not only functional but also served as decorative pieces. Over time, this style has continued to evolve, blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics.
TOBE @ 15 Clarke Street. Exhibit: Artifacts
