Rex in Perth

Rex is real but Henny-Penny isn't. She's life-size too, kampung standard.

Looking too cute to leave behind. Meer-cats.

Peeking from the Rex (pots spoil the shot; need some cropping)

Seen at nursery somewhere in Gosnells. All I got from there: peat pots and peat plugs. 

At nearly A$15

Notice the Dragon Winged B.?

A Rex growing very well, one that I've seen before but not as robust as this one.

Awaiting the Fireworks

Close-up of plantlet growing from top of leaf petiole (03Dec-14)

Rooted leaf in water; took perhaps a month or just over, and then placed in perlite+compost mix in peat pot on 25 Nov.
Picture taken on 3 Dec.

B Fireworks in 2H August 2014, full of vibrant colour leaves

B Fireworks in 1H August 2014

Mail-Order from Queensland

So many with exotic sounding names I haven't come across before. This guy must be quite a prolific hybridiser. Well Queensland does have a remarkably active Queensland Begonia Society. Check out their resource rich website; it's full of exceedingly useful info for begonia enthusiasts contributed by members.

Screenshot them from merchant's ebay store. Just these 4 still on active sale.

Not alot of info about parentage except for B. Rondo Yorkes which is U400 & a hybrid of Sizemore. And it is not a Rex. Looks cane-like but I suppose it isn't a cane either.

Poinsettias & Begonias at Bunnings Cannington

During a trip to Perth, on 11 November to be exact.

Best buy from Bunnings: Turned out to be 2 sets of solar powered LED lights in peach and pink, with 7 flicker programmes. wish they could be enjoyed indoors along with the garden. A$17 each.
None of the plants left with me.

Bareroot from afar

Packed like "chai" for the flight

Everything was dry by the time they got to me.

Limp and lifeless

In pots filled with coconut chips, peat and compost.

Hope they live to tell their stories. For the record, they are B.river nile, B. wild pony and B. benitochiba

Only B.river nile offered 3 leaves suitable for leaf cutting. Hope it lives up to hardy reputation and roots soon. Another chance if the crowns don't make it. They originated from Josh's Frogs.

Latest update on 3 Dec 2014 - the sad news is that none of them made it. In retrospect, I shouldn't have expected delicate plants grown specifically for terrarium-hobbyists to be of sufficiently hardy constitution for the a long voyage.

The bromeliad that isn't home

Here's mum combing through rows and rows of bromeliads in the humid hot weather to select her one and only. 

Found it! She finally settled for this one (after usual endearing process of 'double-confirming' with everyone and any 'victim' who happened to be about).Awaiting to be reunited. We have to call AVA after the bromeliad got taken away from us at the checkpoint. Sigh....There's hope for my long suffering patient mumsie to finally bring her bromeliad home. 

Home safe and sound. All is now well. Hope it's happy and thrives in its new surroundings.

Cost S$23 for an inspection fee plus she signed an undertaking not to import plants & soil matter without proper certification in future

AVA's Plant Health Centre at Lorong Chencharu (what a funny name; must have an interesting history behind it)

Should I or should I not take a peek at what plants people try to bring in...(In the end I only looked in through the mesh from the road; too hot to get out of the car.)