Debbie writes: You gave contact information for a neem plant supplier here in Bali in one of your issues- could you please supply me with the telephone number again? Much appreciated. Debbie
Neem saplings and neem products (as listed on the indoneem website) are available (during their normal operating hours) from:
The Sunrise School
Parkir Place, Jln. Mertasari,
Pengubengan Kauh. Krobokan, Kuta.
Phone - 0361 735822.
I have written a number of articles about the Neem tree – including extensive cultivating notes. Read these by clicking on the articles tab at www.baliadvertiser.biz
Kellie writes: Can you please help me? I am looking at having some terrazzo pots made for my house - one about 1m x 1m, - two about 1m tall x 50cm wide - one about 50cm x 50cm. I would like to put these pots outside in a sunny area (front-n-back yard). Can you recommend some plants to put in these pots and where I can buy them? I have no garden, so these pots-n-plants will be the feature. As I am not a good gardener and have only been in Bali for six months I have no idea. Your help would be very much appreciated.
Kellie has also told me that her spaces are fully paved, hence the need for pots. (Kellie, as you are having your pots made to order, make sure they have drainage holes in the bottom.) As I consider that a tropical garden must have at least one frangipani, I am going to suggest that she uses her largest pot for this purpose. The frangipani I like most of all is the one with the largest flowers. Its botanical name is Plumeria obtusa.
It can be recognized by the rounded ends to its leaves (all others are pointed). These club-shaped leaves are noticeably shinier and a darker green. It seems to me to produce more flowers, more continuously, than other varieties. From my observation, it also seems more resistant to pests and diseases than others.
If the budget will stretch to it a quite advanced plant will cost somewhere between Rp700.000 to Rp1million. If not, you can look at sizes/prices to suit your pocket. Place broken tiles/bricks for ‘crocking’ in the bottom of your pot so that it will always drain well. Cover this with a thick layer of newspaper before adding potting mix. This is usually called ‘Kompos’ (compost) here and while containing compost, it is not compost as westerners know it.
There are many ‘toko bunga’ (plant shops) lining both Jl. Hang Tua and Jl. Hayam Wuruk in the suburb of Renon. Prices are reasonable and there is a big range to choose from. Some even specialize – ie: all kinds of palms, orchids, water plants, frangipani, cacti, etc. Though they may well stock potting mix, I have found the permanent garden supplier in the car park of Makro store, Jl. By-Pass to have a good potting mix; available in large bags at around Rp1.000 per kilo. You will be surprised at just how many kilos of potting mix are needed to fill large pots.
They also carry slow release fertilizer pellets which pots really need, as too much fertilizer can ‘burn’ the roots. This is imported from Holland and isn’t cheap, but usually a teaspoon or two every 3-4 months is sufficient.
For your 50 x 50cm pots I would suggest lemongrass. This is easy to get at your local pasar (much cheaper and fresher than the supermarket). Buy stems which are still plump and green, bring home and plant without delay. You could grow one of the well-known cooler climate ‘house plants’ in the second pot like Monstera deliciosa, (Fruit Salad plant); Scindapsis spp (Devil’s Ivy); or any of the philodendrons which come in a wide variety of leaf color and shapes.
In your smallest pot I suggest a very pretty plant known locally as ‘Kemuning’ – botanically: Murraya paniculata. A member of the citrus family, it bears small, dark green, shiny leaves, panicles of sweetly scented, white flowers, followed by tiny, deep orange fruits. Buy 2-3 plants for the one pot to give a quick result and keep the plant dense. Once planted, water generously, then keep the plants moist (but not waterlogged) until they begin to grow strongly.
Judy, Sanur, writes: I read the anecdote about daun sirih in your article ‘Timely Tasks’ with great interest.
Can you please tell me where in Bali I can get some betel leaves as I am as desperate as your Sundanese lady.
Buy in bundles at any local pasar for a small sum Judy, often also available at warungs. Ask any Balinese friend/acquaintance if they can get you a stem or two. It is so easy to grow and makes a good climber for a wall. Like Ivy, it is self-attaching. You cannot ‘overdose’ on this – use it as often as the need arises.
Please send all your gardening questions to
E-mail: gardendoctor09@gmail.com
