The Jambu Air tree is fruiting

Fruits of the 'Jambu Air' (Malay) - Syzium aqueum

My efforts at planting the Jambu Air plant at the Kambatik Park has bore fruits.  After about a two and a half years wait the tree is growing well in a location that is constantly wet because whenever there is heavy rain the place would receive flash floods.  It seemed obvious now that even under conditions of too much water, the tree is a survivor.  Occasionally I would cut the grass around the tree and once in a while provide it with fertiliser i.e. by digging deep into the ground for fear of being easily wasjhed away.  This planting is part of the edible landscaping concept or Sara Landskap.   This concept literally bears fruits!!

Physalis are a plenty

Ripe fruits of Physalis minima or 'Letup-Letup' in Malay.

There are plenty of ripe berries of the Physalis minima at the Kambatik Park right now.  I have identified a spot near the Butterfly Garden area suitable for planting the 'Letu-Letup'.  This plant though imported a few of years ago to the park seems to like the environment here and are 'self-propagating' naturally through its ripe seeds.  It requires very little maintenance though a good dose of fertiliser would surely make the stems stout and more fruit-bearing.  When available the berries make good menu for vegetable  salad for they taste very much like tomatoes (see below). 

Morning breakfast of fruits from the garden

Selection of fruits from the garden for breakfast.

Ripe Ciku fruit on a branch - Manilkara zapota

The Mango tree is fully harvested

 At the side garden, the mango tree that bears hundreds of fruits are ready to be harvested.  I stripped the whole tree of fruits using a pole and a ladder.  I would bring most of them to Bintulu to be shared with family members and friends there.  Friends and relatives in Kuching have been given the fruits today.   It is the joy of sharing the mangoes that makes today meaningful and gratifying.  It is one of those moments in life when giving is done freely and heartily.

Back garden

Back garden, showing mixed planting of palm, wild banana, cassia alata, calathea lutea and ixora coccinea ...

Cassia alata

 Just the other day, I managed to dig out some tapioca tubers and cook them.  They tasted good because they are of a variety that is soft to be eaten.  At the back garden are many herbs and shrubs that produce fruits, tubers, flowers or leaves can can be consumed as salad, dessert, juiced drinks, condiments,medicine, and not forgetting added appeal for wildlife and garden beauty.  Here's more views of the back garden....

Back garden ...mixed planting mainly herbaceous plants

Costus woodsoonii - Red button ginger

Back garden...view towards south-east

Side and back garden

Back garden - showing the Cassia alata leaves at left and red flowers of the Ixora coccinea at right

 The Laman Kambatik (Malay) or Kambatik garden is providing much shade, greenery and colours now.  It has developed a micro-climate attracting many birds, butterflies, bees and various insects.  Its bio-diversity network is broadened.  Indeed on this trip I was especially pleased with the behaviours of a nesting couple of the Olive-backed sunbird of which I have blogged in previous postings.  Below are some pictures of the back and side garden.  I have included the Perling bird which I saw this afternoon having a rest on the Tabebeuia rosea branch.

Coconut trees at left and in background is the Mango tree
At center is the Starfruit tree and at right is the White chempaka (Michelia alba)

Side garden - looking south
At left is durian tree and right is the Kedondong tree, with lots of fruits

A Perling bird resting on the branch of the Tabebuia rosea tree...