I have two fathers.

My dad, Dr. K. Alan Longman, wrote a book called “Tropical Forest and its Environment” (Longman and Jenik 1974).  In it, my Dad laid out two ways of looking at tropical forest:

1. As a collection of discreet individual trees - the European forestry model, which my dad and his co-author Jan Jenik had been schooled in for many of their formative years at university.
2. As “an outstanding example of a complex biocoenosis” (an ecological community) - the Sarawak durian farmer’s model expounded by my father-in-law Encik Satom anak Sinawud who has been “enriching” the Sarawak forest with Durian trees (Durio zibethynus) all his life.

My dad - Dr. K. Alan Longman

My father-in-law, Encik Satom anak Sinawud

The first model employs a classical analytical approach.  Break the forest down into its individual parts, the trees, the leaves, the stomata, the cells, the molecules, the atoms.  It assumes that the forest can best be described by describing all its individual components separately.  My Dad got his PhD in Forestry by doing exactly that.

The second model seeks to understand the forest as an integrated system of components all interdependent on one another.  It assumes that the forest can best be described by describing all its individual components together.  My Father-in-law the Durian farmer was very successful in understanding that in order to farm the forest, he had to be part of that integrated system too.

It is the same for people. The second model also describes how we as individual people are inseparable from the larger integrated system; the family, the larger community of our neighbours, our home, landmarks which are somehow part of us, our environment, particularly the garden environment.

There was a very good reason why in the beginning God placed Adam and Eve in a garden (Genesis 2:8), and not in a home, not in a house.  The integrated system of a garden is essential for life.  Our life.  A garden supports our life in three main ways:

• A sensory connection with nature:
• The feeling of earth on our hands
• The early morning smell of rain upon fresh vegetation
• The sight of colourful flowers, leaf shapes, textures
• The wonderful taste of home-grown (garden grown) foood
• The sound of trees swaying in the wind
• A space to call our own (”my patch”)
• Ownership, responsibility and respect are nurtured
• We are free to choose what to grow, our “signature”, our “graffiti”
• We meet other people and build friendships and a community integration
• It provides growth and a sense of achievement
• Our garden evolves; we realize the whole of creation is evolving
• We see changes, variety, interesting things “appear” in the garden
• There is unpredictability, so we learn adaptability, and grow

I am glad I have had two fathers, and very glad that they both were shining models for me of how to approach the tropical forest in a way so as to encourage a better understanding of its complex integrated systems. 

The tropical forest is first and foremost a garden.  God’s garden.

Simon John Longman

Sometime in March this year, acting upon the recommendation of my friend, Rosalind aka Madame Butterfly, my wife and I stayed in one of the antique houseboats on Lake Dal, Kashmir and experienced a most picturesque and wonderful holiday.

Nature has endowed Kashmir with innumerable gifts, its towering snow clad mountains, icy cold streams, crystal clear and sparkling lakes, flower meadows, colorful orchards and villages that always attracted tourists from all parts of the world. The centuries-old traditional fruit cultivation has profusely colored the riposte and tranquility of Kashmir’s landscape. Kashmir, the land of amazing flora and fruits possesses a rich history of fruit cultivation. Kashmir has remained the symbol of fruits and flowers.

Although the almond tree is native to the Mediterranean region, this beautiful tree has adapted to the climate of Kashmir. Big and shady, these trees grow up to a height of 15m and have large oval leaves tinged with red and fleshy fruits. The fruits of the almond tree are very aromatic and sweet. Almonds are considered the healthiest nuts to eat because they have the highest protein content of any nut. Almonds are also a rich source of calcium and many minerals, such as potassium and phosphorous.

Kashmiri almonds are known for their superiority of taste and are very popular in India. Locals considered the nut as highly nourishing and of great medicinal value; its kernels are used in confectionery as well as dessert.

The almond in Kashmir is synonymous with romance in Kashmir. Ancient Indian literature depicts heroines as someone having dark almond shaped eyes that symbolize beauty and appeal. The Mughals were great patrons of art and lovers of cuisines. It was the Mughals who introduced almonds into Indian cooking. We also visited one of the wonders of the world built by the Mughals - Taj Mahal, the subject of my next story ….….

Ng Cheow Kheng

Do you know this tree?  The photo was actually taken in Hawaii, but the perceptive among you may recognize it.  It is the Delonix regia (Red Flame) which grows in Singapore, in fact all over the tropical world. 

But wait………..it is not red, it is Yellow!  Yes, the clever Hawaiians have bred a Yellow Red Flame!  It reminds me of the story of the small English boy who asked his father, “Dad, what berries are those?” “Those are blackberries Son,” said his Dad.  “But Dad,” said the boy, “those berries are not black, they are red”.  “Ah yes”, said Dad to the boy, “That is because they are still green!”

Rubus fruticosus - Common Blackberry

There are other strange plants in Hawaii.  Look at this vegetation growing on the almost vertical slopes of an active volcano – the last eruption was surprisingly recent!

And how about this for coastal vegetation?

Of course Hawaii Frangipanni trees (Plumeria spp.) are world famous, but that is another story!

Simon John Longman

Who dares to grow these veggies again? Actually they (almost) grow themselves; all we have to do is sit back and eat! Ulam Raja (Cosmos caudatus) – Our Community in Bloom (CIB) friends in Marine Crescent have a patch started, but this photo is not from there.  Eat it raw with sambal ………..mmmmm.

Ulam Raja (Cosmos caudatus)

Tipu Branda (Eryngium foetidum)

Anyone know what this is called? The Bidayuh people in Sarawak call it Tipu Branda (Eryngium foetidum) which literally means “tastes like white man’s Torch Ginger”.  It is highly fragrant (pungently so) and is used as a garnish for soups.

Limau Nipis (Citrus aurantifolia)

This one is easy – Limau Nipis (Citrus aurantifolia) the leaves are used for taking away the unpleasant “wangi” in animal intestines before they are stewed. The fruits can be used in drinks, ice kachang, hokkien mee.  Dipped in salt, the fruits (raw) cure sore throats.

Changkok Manis (Sauropus androgynus)

Anybody in Singapore still grow Changkok Manis (Sauropus androgynus)? This leaf is sweet & crunchy even when boiled and is supremely popular in Sarawak. Staple food almost (after rice, and of course durian (Durio zibethinus)! 

How many of you have weeded padi (Oryza sativa)? It is back breaking, as my father is demonstrating. If not done properly, the weeds will choke the padi, and the crop will be less. That is why flooding is a blessing – it kills all the weeds, but not the padi. Can you spot the Jagong (Zea mays) in the backgound – it will be harvested before the real floods.

Padi field

Chili Padi (Capiscum frutescens) – not for the faint-hearted. But for the Bidayuh – staple food, the leaves too, for soup

Chili Padi (Capiscum frutescens)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is grown everywhere in the Kampong. The leaves can be used for soup too.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Guava (Psidium guajava) and Tiyung (Bidayuh), Terong (Malay) Solanum melongena are grown for “Sayur” too. “Wrapping Guava fruits is even more back-breaking than weeding padi” - my sister.

Guava (Psidium guajava)

And so the harvest is gathered from the garden – young Corn, mushrooms, guava, papaya, “Berak Badad” or Pisang Raja (Musa sp.), Changkok Manis, rice, Chili leaves, young Fern leaves called Puchok Paku, Cucumber leaves (for soup), and sugar cane. This just goes on and on. Wow………what a meal.

My harvest!

How many can you grow in Singapore? Who wants to take up the ultimate CIB challenge?

By: Joanna Josali anak Satom

My Sister has this plant. The base of the plant has leaves that to me look kinda like a dandilion. There are stems that come up from the center of the plant with elongated flower buds that at 9:00 p.m. open to a bright yellow flower about 1-1/2 to 2 inches in size. A couple of minutes before 9 the flower bud which is a darker green color will start to turn a lighter pale green color and within a couple of minutes the yellow flower pops out. In the morning they are hanging down or on the ground. Her friend originally got the plants somewhere in Ohio but she can’t remember where. These plants come back each year but they don’t seem to spread. I don’t know if they come from a seed or a bulb or?

I would like to get some of these plants but don’t know where to find them. If anyone knows about these flowers or where I can find them please let me know. I’m talking about the flower that only bloom at night for one night. Where would you look for seeds? As soon as the flower dies there are no seed pods, just the leafs close to the ground and the flowers don’t seem to have any seeds on them but I don’t know what I’m really looking for.

Here are some photos about the plant I’m talking about…

Dennis Mitchell

Hi.

On 23 June evening the cactus plant which Annie and I nursed for 15 years  bloomed. We were amazed at the beauty of the white cactus flower and enjoyed watching it briefly. The next day the flowers faded away.  It is surprising that such a not so good looking and harsh plant can produce such beautiful flowers. Its short appearance kind of remind us that life is so fragile.

My Cactus!

Its beautiful white flowers!

Thought of sharing with you…

 From,

Mr Tay Joo Thong