Monday, May 22, 2006
5/22/2006 10:32:00 AM

Our Yucca

posted by Francis Ho



My other half had been busy over the weekend re-potting one of the yucca we had previously planted in the old house for about 5 years.

For the initiated, the yuccas are dramatic plants with their cluster of sharp looking leaves and thick stem. They have a ‘minimalist look’ that goes well with modern designs. A yucca is the state flower of New Mexico.

However they are not merely ornamental as the fruits and sometimes the flowers of several species of yucca were used as food by Native Americans. Certain species, particularly Y. baccata and Y. glauca, are called soap plant because of the use of their roots for soap. The fibers of some kinds have been utilized.

Originating from Mexico, Central and North America, they belong to the Liliaceae (lily) family and are very expensive here due to their slow growth. They are sometimes planted indoors and the best known as house plants are Yucca aloifolia (dense head of sharp leaves) and yucca elephantipes (loose head of leaves with a swollen base, like an elephant's foot). The latter is also called spineless yucca or pine lily. White bell-shaped flowers may appear after a number of years but ours had yet to flower.

So here’s the pic of the yucca that is the pride and joy of my other half. And if you’re visiting our place watch out for the spiky leaves as you walked past the gate!



On the subject of prickly issues – the loss of the SUPP’s seats in Meradong, Batu Lintang, Pending, Padungan, Engkilili, Kota Sentosa, Kidurong and Bukit Assek will certainly be hotly debated. But it’s undeniable that SUPP’s impotence over the land-lease renewal/high land premium issue is a key factor. And what about higher prices arising out of the sharp jump in fuel costs and the extravagance exemplified by the unnecessary construction of the multi-million ringgit new DUN (State Assembly) building? Or the perception that some of SUPP leaders had enriched themselves and failed to deliver what they had promised (rebuilding of the dilapidated Kuching Chung Hua Primary School No.2 for example)?

After all the urban middle class Chinese (which like yours truly are very good at keeping their political sentiments close to their chest) in Kuching has clearly expressed in no uncertain terms their unhappiness over the current leadership and the way things had been done. These and other prickly issues would need to be properly understood and addressed. Surely nobody would want to get ‘pricked’ again? Ouch!

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15 Comments:

  At Monday, 22 May, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said:

http://www.landsurvey.sarawak.gov.my/land-dir/lan-adm-land-premium.htm

Just look at those premiums! Urban middle class need to start planting money trees. Ah Beng from the blue collar kampung class living in rented accomodation but seems house owner also pay rent in one lump sum! sigh...

  At Monday, 22 May, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said:

fh2o,

the yucca tree, issit a desert plant? or can it be planted like any other trees? do u baby yucca plants?

rgds.
mangroove - as far as i know, its planted like normal trees and they do sprout 'babies'. but they do take a long time to grow.
btw how's d wedding preparations coming along?

ah beng - the incumbents were grossly out of touch with the common ppl on the rising costs of living and other issues.
Must say, the pot compliments the yucca very well. You better half indeed has an eye for details.

  At Monday, 22 May, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said:

fh2o,
wedding plans coming along slow and steady.

how does the yucca plant propagate then?

am thinking of planting it... if i know the know-how as well as if i can have the baby.

rgds.
its my life story - i'll let the gardner know! ;)

mangroove - i'll ask d gardener n let u know! ;)
pretty yucca.

btw, you have to stop inviting my dad to go kayaking. he would *proudly* tell me, "francis ho invited me to go kayakking. did he invite you?"

and i would roll my eyes and go, "noooo..." sigh.
A neat, minimalist plant. Thanks for the extra information on it.
that plant's gonna poke someone's eyes out!
hedon - really???? *scratching head n thinking hard* hmmmmmm interesting ... *clueless*

happy - yes its a cool plant

wuching - those w spectacles and/or short like u are safe!!! heehee ;)
Violet Yong(menang) DAP 11,632
Datuk Sim Kheng Hui BN SUPP 7,260

My heartiest congratulations to Violet. Even though they ruined your election banners, you made him eat humble pie!! Well done!
excuse me! i don't wear specs nor am i short thank you very much!
batukawa - i doubt Violet Yong's reading my blog ... ;)

wuching - eh, perasan someone? ;)
Must say I notice your Yucca tree and pot only after I knock the kayak on it whilst trying to manoeuvre a turn.

Ouch.
Sharp and pointy. ouch! my eye...

next thing you know she's gardening the agave plant and you'll be reaping the harvest, making good tequila. Then I'll move to kuching to be closer...hahah.

just wondering, what are the chances she might find one?


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