The Bua Tong Sunflower Festival, which celebrates the profusive bloom of the Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) on the mountainous hillsides of Northern Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province, is a wildly popular flower festival among Thai people. The bloom of the glorious yellow daisy-like flower coincides with the end of the rainy season in late October and lasts for about two months before the flowers wither away. In a previous post, I discussed my memorable expedition in November 2005 to the sunflower fields of Doi Mae U-Kor, located in the Khun Yuam district. Besides Doi Mae U-Kor, apparently there at least two other locations in Mae Hong Son Province, where the bloom of these exotic weeds indigenous to Mexico and Central America is celebrated and the plant is given protection.

Just the other day, I came across a very interesting article on the origins of these spectacular Mexican Sunflower Fields in Mae Hong Son Province. It seems that after colonizing Burma at the end of World War 2, the British employed some Mahout (elephant drivers) and their elephants from a small Karen village in Mae Hong Son Province to help transport teakwood logs into their new colony. After working for the British for over two years, one of the Mahouts, shortly before returning home to his rural village, was given some ‘magical seeds” by his employer. As the hillsides surrounding his village were relatively barren of big trees and were covered with weeds, which died during the hot, dry season, upon his return, he planted a handful of seeds around the area. About two years later, the bloom of this exotic yellow sunflower covered the surrounding hillsides in gold. Other villagers passing by were so impressed with the beauty of this magnificent golden floral bloom that after the flowers had withered, they collected seeds and spread them around their houses. Over time, the Mexican Sunflower spread and colonized quite a large area, as this plant was hardier and more prolific than the native plants of the region.

In 1983, when the flowers flourished beautifully over a wide quite a large area, officials declared the site a tourist attraction and renamed the Mexican Sunflower, the Bua Tong Flower. After some political dispute in the late 1990’s between Thai government officials and the indigenous people of the area (mostly Karen and Hmong), the administration of the sunflower fields was placed under the jurisdiction of the Tambon Administrative Organization.

Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia Pulcherrima), a small evergreen perennial shrub with colorful red, pink orange or yellow flowers, is native to the West Indies and Tropical America. As the name suggests, the flower of this plant is Barbados’s National flower. A member of the legume family, this plant has a flattened bean-like pods which pop open at maturity spitting out the seeds. Note how the flower has very long stamens.

I have also seen the yellow version of Pride of Barbados (aptly named ’ the yellow bird of paradise’) in Koh Chang, my favorite beach resort in Thailand, and it is a popular ornamental featured in many gardens throughout Thailand. I took this picture of Nok -Yoong Thai ’ growing in the ” garden just outside my bungalow. There is considerable exchange between Tropical America and Tropical Asia when it comes to colorful tropical ornamentals. Other common names for this colorful perennial are dwarf Poinciana, fence flower, and peacock flower (because of the long stamens).

Source: http://www.tropilab.com/caesal-pul.html

A couple of years ago, as my tour guide was driving me from Bhubing Palace to Doi Suthep Temple located in the mountains just outside of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, I observed these tropical vines with deep purple flowers climbing the hillside. I asked my tour guide what was the name of this climbing vine? To which, he quickly replied - Purple climbing. What an appropriate name, I said to myself!

Purple climbing (Ipomoea digitata) or more popularly known as Railway Creeper, (How I love that name), is a colorful tropical vine and relative of the Morning Glory. It is a prolific climber - driving in the mountains of Northern Thailand, you will most likely encounter this rambunctious tropical vine climbing the densely forested hillsides as I did.

Factoid: Ipomoea digitata plant is reported to be highly medicinal.

Japan will have a most spectacular exhibit at the Royal Flora Expo, the international horticultural exhibition that takes place in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from November 1, 2006 - January 31, 2007.

A model of the majestic Mount Fuji will be set up in the outdoor garden, which will cover an area of 1500 square meters. In addition, the Lotus Oga will be on display - this very unique lotus is grown from seeds, which are some 2,000 years old, having been discovered in 1951 at a historic temple in Japan’s Chiba region (prefecture). The lotus was named after Dr. Ichiro Oga, a famous Japanese botanist, who succeeded in reviving them

After the exposition is over in late January, Japan will officially present this revered lotus to Thailand as a gesture of friendship and solidarity between the two nations.

Source: http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=23340

I can remember from my childhood, that my house in Bangkok had a big garden with one corner as a jungle garden for climbing plants, and on a big mango tree, I enjoyed watching the squirrels jumping from branch to branch. Sometimes but not often the little critters fell to the ground exactly at the nose’s tip of ‘Charlie’- my lazy Thai dog.

Nowadays, for more convenience, I moved to a condominium. Life sure is different now - limited to an area of 60 square meters with a small veranda of 1 x 2.5 meters, I’ve been forced to make some adjustments. I’ve set aside a small corner of the verandah to create my own little jungle garden - a place where I can relax, meditate and enjoy nature. It is here that my story on air plants begins….

I don’t know when my love for Tillandsia started. After spending time on many kinds of plant, I finally decided to look for plants that would not leave a messy floor. Tillandsia plants fit my requirements perfectly - the plants do not need soil and require very little care and maintenance. I went to ‘Chatuchak Market on Wednesday, when there are plenty of plant shops selling at wholesale prices. For an amateur such as myself, the seller suggested that I buy the most common Tillandsia - Ionantha, Streptophylla , Butzill, Spanish moss (Usneoides) and some others that are easy to take care of. The seller carefully wrapped my air plants in newspapers and put them into plastic bags. That afternoon, I had a very busy agenda and I was afraid that the long hours in the plastic bags would cause my new plants to wither. Along the way home, I was so worried that I checked on ‘my new babies”. They looked so unhappy in their bags.

As soon as I arrived home that night, I placed my new air plants carefully on tree stumps (also from JJ) and made sure they had good lighting and airspace. I didn’t water them, as it was very late.

Early on the next day, I found them fresh, their leaves were getting strong and healthy even though I haven’t given water yet. I hope the plants were pleased under my care. Talking to myself -

’ I better find some more of these air plants; this is the beginning of my ‘petite happy jungle corner.’ “

Next time you may want to accompany me to the Plants Market at Chatuchak (JJ) on Wednesday or Thursday, when many of the vendors bring their plants and garden accessories to the market.

Siam Weed (Eupatorium odoratum), a perennial shrub native to Central America and the Caribbean, definitely will not win any popularity contests around the world. A very aggressive and successful colonist, this relatively unattractive plant has established itself as a very virulent and destructive pest wherever it has landed. During the last century, this nasty weed has migrated fortuitously from its native habitat to Southeast Asia, Brazil. Northern Australia, West Africa, India, Sri Lanka and many other tropical regions. Without the constraints of competing plants from its native habitats and its natural insect enemies, Siam Weed has spread like wildfire in its adopted lands wreaking havoc on cultivated farmland and grazing lands as well as young forest plantations such as teak coconut, and rubber. Easily outcompeting native plants and without any natural biological controls, Siam weed has caused considerable damage to such important commodities as coffee, mango, maize, sweet potato, sugar cane, tea and many others.

In addition, livestock browsing on Siam Weed will become severely ill and eventually die due to the plant’s extremely high nitrate concentration. To add insult to injury, Siam weed has been known to cause skin rashes and allergies to human beings who come in contact with it. Talk about a very smart weed!

Source: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/14044

I stumbled into this ungainly looking wildflower while hiking on a woodlands trail near San Gerardo de Dota, a popular mountain resort in Costa Rica. Little did I know at the time of its destructive history and reputation. I guess, I should consider myself lucky that I did not try to fondle this plant, inasmuch how fond I am of ‘things from Thailand.”

About 2 week ago, I came across a very pretty caterpillar crossing the running trail. Upon closer examination, I recognized it as the larvae of the Anise Swallowtail Butterfly, which is one of the most common swallowtail butterflies in the United States west of the Rockies. Naming the critter little Sara (after my mother), I picked her up and carried her home, putting her into a small plastic bottle with some wild fennel, one of its favorite larval plant foods. In the morning, little Sara had attached itself to the stem of the fennel and pupated into a chrysalis, the final stage before it emerges as a full-fledged butterfly.

Yesterday morning, exactly 12 days after I captured little Sara, she emerged in the morning as a mature butterfly, a very beautiful one at that. Her emergence was right on schedule. After doing an extended photoshoot of little Sara, sometime later in the afternoon, I took her outside and set her free.

From my travels particularly in Costa Rica and Thailand, I have encountered many of little Sara’s tropical cousins, all members of the Swallowtail family, Papilionidae. After doing some investigation on the Internet, I learned that the majority of swallowtails species, of which there are over 550 in all, are found in the tropics. In fact, the greatest diversity of swallowtails is in tropical Asia, where their natural habitats are shrinking very rapidly due to human activity.

Many people have learned to recognize a Swallowtail very easily as many species, but not all, have the characteristic tail-like extensions on their hindwings, hence the name Swallowtail. One of the common characteristics of all Papilionids however has to do with a unique organ that all Swallowtail caterpillars have. This organ, which looks like a forked tongue (and is retractable) is located right behind the caterpillars head, is called an osmeterium. When provoked or threatened by a potential predator, the caterpillar will excrete a foul smelling chemical substance from its osmeterium. The other common characteristic has to do with the structure of their forewing.

Factoid: Native to southern Europe and southwestern Asia, fennel grows like wildfire in the United States. Look around you and you’ll find wild fennel growing between cracks in the pavement , in vacant lots and in every place imaginable

Funny thing, how every time I travel to Thailand, which is in a very different time zone, my perception of time really gets distorted. First of all, let me provide some background info - Being from California, Thailand is 15 hours ahead of us and I usually stay in Southeast Asia for a minimum of 2 ½ weeks. As it is a working holiday, I’m usually quite busy from the “get go” although I admit to getting my fair share of sanuck. You know the expression - All work no play, makes Johnny a very dull boy.

After being away from home for 7-10 days, it always seems like I’ve been away much longer. I don’t know if it is related to my intensely busy schedule, jet lag, the difference of time, culture, climate and food or a combination of these factors. Bottom line, one week in the Land of Smiles seems like 3 weeks to my body and mind.

At about the midway point in my trip, there is usually a reversal in my psychological perception of time, which I call “The SWITCH!” All of a sudden, time switches from being a turtle to a hare as the days zip by like a runaway train and before you know it, it’s time to fly home.

Time is on my side, yes it is…….

I have discovered the cure for jet lag! After enduring a 16.5-hour flight to Thailand six times in the last couple of years, I have developed a foolproof formula of dealing with the malady that plagues most long distance travelers.

First of all, keep in mind of the difference in time zones - as an example, Thailand is 15 hours ahead of us Californians. So when I arrive in Thailand let’s say at 10:OOAM on July 11, my watch, which is set on Pacific Daylight time reads July 10 at 7:00PM. Jet lag usually does not kick in full force until the 2nd day and it will probably take until the 3rd day until the body adjusts to the difference in time, climate and culture. From my experience, when Jet Lag hits me, I find it almost impossible to concentrate or focus on what I’m doing and I have a tendency to walk around in stupor. Two years ago, on my 2nd day in Thailand, I remember having to make 3-4 trips back to my hotel room to pick up some papers and some accessories, or to get some travelers checks out of my safe deposit box. I just had problems concentrating….

Oh well, enough of this preliminary background already - I bet you’re wondering what is the cure! OK, It’s sort of a 5-step process

• Step 1- THE WORKOUT Shortly after I check into my hotel and unpack, I head down to the hotel fitness center for an intense 90 minute - 2 hour workout session, with the right balance of cardio and weights. After the workout, I am feeling charged up and reinvigorated and head out to the swimming pool and do 15 - 20 brisk laps. Then it’s back into the men’s locker room, where I shave off my 2 - 5 day stubble/beard and take a long shower. Feeling clean and refreshed, I’m ready for step 2.




• Step 2 -THE SNOOZE I head back to my hotel room, turn on some soft and soothing classical music on my IPOD (connected my portable speakers), drink down a whole carton of tomato juice as I plop myself on the bed and take a 2 -3 hour snooze.




• Step 3 - NIRVANA Waking up about 5:00PM, I head over to my Sazanka, my favorite massage salon, and I order a VIP massage package known as “the WORKS”. First my body gets a through washing and shampoo, followed by a salt scrub and body exfoliation. After being washed again to remove the salt from my body, the masseuse covers my torso with hot towels and proceeds to give me a most thorough massage, which combines elements of shiatsu, TTM and Swedish techniques. If the masseuse is experienced enough, while the towels are still in place, she’ll walk on top of my back, applying pressure in all the right places. As the clock winds down to the last part of the two-hour session, the masseuse will usually execute the final therapeutic maneuver, which puts me into a state of total relaxation and nirvana. To finish it off, I usually have a cup of hot green tea. Definitely a HaPEE ending! By the way, the works costs about 28USD which is worth every bit and more!






• Step 4 - NOURISHMENT Walking out of the massage salon, I feel like a like a million bucks, ready to take on the world with the jet lag clearly in remission. Heading down the Sukhumvit, I go to one of my all time favorite places to eat - Tamarind Cafe - an upscale Pan Asian vegetarian restaurant for a nourishing 3-4-course dinner, before returning to my hotel to go to bed.




• Step 5 - SLEEP Tucked in bed by 11: 0OPM LOS time or 8:00AM Pacific Daylight Time.

I admit, that sometimes I screw up the last step and negate most the therapeutic aspects of my routine by going to Soi Cowboy or Soi 33 and staying out past my bedtime, while knocking down a couple of drinks and sampling some of the wild and erotic nightlife that Bangkok is famous for.

As you have probably guessed that in these instances when I did not execute Step 5 properly, when I awoke in the morning, I had to deal with the inevitable JETLAG! Oh well…

Roses(Rosa Hybrida) are one of the most popular ornamental shrubs in cultivation in the world and are prominently featured in many formal gardens. The beautiful flowers come in a mutitude of colors from the traditional carmine red to azure blue and are a staple of the florist business worldwide. Traditionally roses are considered the flowers of romance and love in addition to being an important ingredient in many perfumes.

The Queen of Thailand, her royal highness Queen Sirikit, is a real rose enthusiast. She has been responsible for the cultivation of a number of new rose cultivars and hybrids, such as those featured at the Suan Suwaree Rose Garden at Bhubing Palace, the Royal Family’s summer residence located just outside of Chiang Mai

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