Specials NEWS

It’s summer, and that means time to celebrate greenery once again. What makes this year extra special is that the world is emerging from a global pandemic, and are seeing everything with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of gratitude.

Batangas-based writer Marcial “Macay” Enginco is constantly worried about the environment. From climate change to decreasing forest coverage, Macay is worried how all these bad news can impact the Philippines. As a plant enthusiast, he is particularly concerned how these developments can affect the existence of plants that are native to the country.

Plant lovers rejoice! 

The Philippine Orchid Society, together with the Quezon City Government and the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation, is holding the Orchid and Garden Plant Bazaar from February 26 to March 13, 2022 at the Elevated Garden in Quezon Memorial Circle at Diliman, Quezon City.

Many Filipinos who have chosen to live outside the Philippines have found a way to bring a little piece of home with them by planting Filipino vegetables. Others take advantage of their new climate to plant the kind of garden one sees in Western picture books.

As told to Yvette Tan by Agriculture magazine’s in-house plant expert

As the famous song goes, “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” Society is slowly preparing for the long-awaited holiday by putting up season-appropriate decorations, planning the Christmas Eve dinner, and gift-giving. Many people take gifting very seriously, sparing no expense and spending a long time finding the ideal presents. 

For the Guanlao family in Quezon City, gardening has been an important part of their lives even before the pandemic started. Gardening has become their way of spending time together and honoring their grandmother, who has inspired their love for growing plants. 

When the pandemic struck in early 2020, many industries suffered from the closing of the economy and strict quarantine protocols. Among them was the food industry. Many small to medium-sized enterprises ceased operations because of the temporary cessation of dining inside restaurants. 

On November 2, we celebrate All Soul’s Day or Undas, a holiday dedicated to remembering our departed loved ones. In the Philippines, it is also a time for families to come together and pay respects to their dead.

The plant craze that gripped the nation toward the middle of last year’s ECQ was a pleasant surprise for many of us. In the confines of our homes, we rediscovered our love for the natural world, particularly for plants; and with this “plant fever” a new subspecies of passionate hobbyists emerged: the Plantitos and Plantitas.

Orchids are a favorite among gardeners everywhere. Aside from being captivating, they’re also low-maintenance. But that doesn’t mean that plant parents don’t want the best for their babies. 

Tokyo-based “ultra-technologists” teamLab created a new artwork installation called “Floating Flower Garden; Flowers and I are of the Same Root, the Garden and I are One” where visitors can enjoy an immersive installation that marks a departure for the world-renowned collective. 

Leggy houseplants refer to plants whose growth is focused on the stems, which are stretched out and have sparse leaves. 

Scientists have found compelling evidence showing that gardening improves a person’s mental health. Through gardening, people can focus their attention on the immediate tasks at hand and the details around them, reducing negative thoughts and feelings.

We’re all familiar with banana trees and the fruits that they produce. Bananas have become a staple in diets as a source of potassium and vitamin C. But fruits aren’t the only distinguishing characteristic among banana trees. Several species, like the Musa ornata, owe their popularity to their flowers. 

The love for growing plants goes beyond the concept of age. Even though some people think that the youth aren’t interested in gardening, many young gardeners enjoy what they’re doing. 

One defining feature of flowers that makes them attractive is their color. Pollinators can distinguish and seek out flowers because of their bright hues while humans find joy in looking at the colorful blooms. But where do flowers get their color?