Chilli Collection

Several varieties of chillies have been added to the garden a few months ago.

They were all grown from seeds.

Black Pearl Chillies

This is an ornamental variety with dark coloured foliage.

The purple flowers turn into light green chillies and then to black pearls. 

Eventually they will all become rich, deep red.

Bird's Eye Chillies

This is very common and is known as 'cili padi' here.

However, the lady beetles usually call it their 'home'.

Round Chillies

The flower is white on the outside and purple on the inside.

I don't know the name to this one but it is pretty small in size; less than 2cm. 

 They do look like tomatoes but taste nothing like it.

Yes, I have tried and smoke came out of my ears!

Monthly Garden Bouquet

I visit Noelle from Ramblings from a Desert Garden... regularly as I always enjoy reading what she has to share. I don't do flower arrangements nor bouquets. However, regulars visits to her website has inspired me to take some initiative and get out of my comfort zone.

Since I feel shy about my own arrangement, I have decided to add some blurry effects as you can see above.

Oh...what the heck! Laugh if you want to.
I used chillies to cover up the sponge. I have loads of chillies.

Hmm...it looks to me that some green should be added between the flower and the chillies...

Does the red Zinnia flowers look better back here where it belong?

How would you rate the bouquet from minus 1 to minus 10?

You can keep the rating to yourself. :)
Will try to do a better job next time.

Red Harvest

What is your harvest this week? The few I have are are all red!!!

My 2-year old dragon fruit plant has been bearing big red dragon fruits regularly, but only one or two fruits at a time. The dried flower is still intact.

Do you see a big cloud of smoke above the dragon's snout?

Bird's Eye Chillies are also called Thai Dragon Chillies.  Unlike the dragon fruit, there is no smoke coming out from Thai Dragons unless you consume it. Then you might just see little puffs of smoke coming out from your ears! It is HOT!!! 

One particular chilli plant which I planted on the ground  has produced several kilos of chillies.  Some of the branches broke off due to the heavy load. That is why I have to harvest some of the green ones as well. Of course, not all my chilli plants are this fertile. Thank goodness they are not all the same as none of my neighbours welcome any more chillies.

I am delighted to see my very first ripe cherry tomato. Looking forward to more tomatoes. My neighbours are already flooded with chillies. Cherry tomatoes will be a good change.

Bird's Eye Chillies

I love hot chillies. Bird's Eye Chillies, also known as 'Cili Padi' locally are easily planted from seeds. 

I am contented eating just two of these bird's eyes chillies with fried rice as they are very hot. The rest of the harvest were given to my neighbours.

Two of my dogs posing with a Cili Padi plant.

A closer view of the chillies.

A Chilli flower. 

Bird's Eye Chillies are usually thin and elongated. But some are oval?

Actually I planted tomato and chilli in the same pot.

The chilli plant act as a support for the tomato's soft stem and probably scare away some bugs too.

Aerial view of Chillies, Tomato and Red Japanese Rose in a pot.

This is my gardening style.

I water 3 plants at one go.

Chillies, tomatoes and rose will all be RED, so there is consistency in colour.

They probably absorb different nutrients from the soil.

The tomato plant is supported by the chilli plant.

Save soil, save water, save fertilizer, save effort.

I have planted many varieties of chillies. Hope to be able to share those in the future.