Looking For Hues of Change

It's been a week. I think I got lost in the backyard. 

...the original me, this shot in 2013 will do...

...the sun and shade either make you brighter or darker, 
not smarter...

...sometimes, a little seasoned...not older...

...dark corners sometimes eliminates shadows...

...let's sketch up a little bit and...paint a new picture...

Once Upon A Time

Sometimes, things just happened. 

a multi-petals and double stigma hibiscus

 I caught this on one of the branches while hunting for pests and insects in the backyard. There were nine petals and two stigma(s). 

Ketuka [Terengganu dialect], Labu Feringhi [Malay name], Kent Pumpkin [English]

At first I thought it was a watermelon plant, until...

I almost stepped onto this pumpkin.

In the next couple of weeks, I noticed the plant growing.

The large leaves and vibrant yellow flowers!

 Then the flower buds appeared, new ones each morning.

I thought they looked like squids.

And more buds coming...

I thought this would grow into one big pumpkin and what a feast.

Not so pumpkin in the end.

It turned yellow and fell off the stem. What had happened?

This was the result of why drawing 'Ultraman' figures during Science class is not 'schooling'. Learning didn't take place in the class, instead in the backyard.

So, my first hands-on pollination work - no bees & butterflies.

The yellow spores from the stigma 'sticked' to my fingers like glue.

At last, I got lots of pumpkins.

A Day In The Bush

Leave Nurture To Nature

'Mangko'an' comes in varieties 
of greens, and sizes.

Another 'mangko'an' plant.

This thick leave plant can be vibrant 
under the sun, reddish to pink, 
or plain green under the shade.

A 'pokok puding' variety, a beautiful foliage.

'Keladi Wewe' is a song I used to hear 
during my childhood.

Weeds or Fruit?

Passiflora Varieties?

The first bud stings out within the protection 
of three green hairy covers.

The oval-shaped flowering bud 
will take place within a day or two.

At this stage, the hairy covers spread out 
but maintain attachment.

As the flower grows, the tiny fruit 
will expose itself 
as the hairy covers expanded.

The white flower petals begin to spread 
showing the light purple hue at the centre.

What's next...? 

The small pumpkin-shaped ripe fruit is edible 
with a taste like the Passiflora Edulis 
or its more popular name, Passion Fruit..

Malaysia's National Flower Varieties

Horticulture - hibiscus rosa sinensis

A.k.a 'Kiah Janda', 
although it's without multi-layered-petals, 
the combination of pink and white 
create a sense of  
a two-tone graceful simplicity.

A.k.a 'Jamboo', 
this one I found to be very bewildering 
because of the multi-layered petals, 
but at the same time it displays 
a sense of honesty.

A.k.a 'Minah Leter', the orange 
and yellow tones 
shows a strong and bold sense 
of dominance 
- at the first few seconds you are attracted, 
but it wouldn't be long 
before you turn to look at other rosa(s).

A.k.a 'Ah Wek', this reddish orange 
or magenta petals 
are an eye-catching bloom 
- a stunning and flamboyant piece of work.

It's not everyday that I'm able to see 
this part of the bloom; 
it's inter-laced petals are resemblance 
of Anita Sarawak and Mizz Nina 
- a.k.a 'Cik Missy' usually spreads its wings 
around noon.

Don't get too soft with her; 
a.k.a 'Alloyah' may look like 
vanilla ice-cream 
but she can make you stumble 
over the drain 
screaming in pain.

This one is more serious 
and straight forward, 
but she still has her attractions 
- a.k.a 'Semek Che Muda' 
is always cheerful and welcoming.

This is my favourite, 'a.k.a 'Cik Bunga' - 
The start of each bloom 
is a trumpet like opening. 
Due to my negligence, I lost her in 2015.

So, there you have it! 
These girls have been in the bushes 
behind the house 
within the 4-feet tall wooden fence.