Colours of Chinese New Year (Part 1)

Mandarins (and kumquats, oranges, etc) by virtue of their gold colour is a MUST during the Chinese New Year. In this photo, you can see the two small citrus plants with Michaela and Luke. By the way, this is my favourite photo of the season. This photo was taken at Jalan Mengkudu where Great-Uncle Francis, Great-Auntie Irene, Aunt Marie and Stephanie and Emily live.

Colours of Chinese New Year (Part 2)

The colours of Chinese New Year are red and gold - and these are relected in the plants and flowers !!! These are flowers at Grandma Neo's house - look at the kelanchoes in the foreground and the yellow and red Celosia (known as Feng4 Wei3 凤尾(Phoenix Tail) in Chinese)in the background.

Update on Chinese New Year bulbs

In January, I asked what the 4 bulbs that I bought at the market would turn into. I haven't had much success as only one of the 4 bulbs has sprouted (1st photo). The second photo shows the bulbs of my friend, Joe Tan, who bought his bulbs at about the same time as me. The red things are Chinese New Year decorative touches. Yong Seng said his bulbs have grown even taller than Joe's. I think I know what went wrong with my bulbs (1) I did not buy enough (my friend uses 8 bulbs in a bowl) (2) I have to keep them cool (Joe uses ice cubes and keep the bowl in his living room) (3) I need to keep the bulbs completely immersed in water. Never mind, I will do better next year. By the way these bulbs are known as Chinese Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia) and they can be used to make delicious chips.

Chinese New Year Bulbs

Saturday January 23 2010
My friends (Yong Seng, Goh and Joe Tan) told me that it was customary to buy these bulbs and grow them for Chinese New Year. I honestly don't know what they are and I honestly have never heard of this custom before. But since they cost only 25 cents each from Lorong Ah Soo market, I will give them a try. It has been 2 weeks and they have developed some roots. I have since planted them in a glass bowl using aquarium soil. I can't wait to see what will develop.