Cryptocoryne Affnis from Selangor

The Cryptocoryne affinis from this habitat is interesting as they are found at an altitude around 700m above sea level. They are found along white sandy bank of a stream above a huge waterfall in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.

The variety of Affinis found at the lower section of the river has a different form and shares some similarity with some of the Pahang variety.

These were typical of specimens found at the lower part of the river. The leaves show more colors and markings. The shape is more narrow and longer for plants that are growing submersed. 

New stock of Cryptocorynes

This week we were out to collect and stock up some of the popular Cryptocorynes as the Monsoon season begins to break over our area. Each year during the Monsoon, plant or fish collection is impossible as conditions of rivers becomes dangerous and unpredictable.

We managed to get some of these below despite fast current and high waters. I think the rain is going to pour flood many areas over the next few weeks. So plants maybe hard to come by till the break in February or March. Anyway we are happy to be able to offer some in the mean time.

As you can see the water at the river is already rising and murkier than usual, making collection very hard and impossible if you are not familiar with the river.

From Bau area, we also managed to collect some new stock of Cryptocoryne Keei.

In Sarawak the durians are beginning to ripen and we see many fruit stalls by the road side set up by the local natives.

While travelling through Iban tribal area, we came across an Iban hunter who was selling Python meat. The snake had beautiful skin but unfortunately was caught by this hunter and will end up in someone's cooking pot that day.

Until my next posting, best wishes and take care.

In search of Cryptocoryne Zukalii

We left for an undisclosed area in Pahang last weekend to search for the elusive Cryptocoryne Zukalii. Before the journey began, we were experiencing a lot of rain and weather may adversely affect our trip. However, we thank God for good weather and safety through out this trip. We were unable to locate the Zukalii nor Decus Silvae but came across some Cryptocoryne initially thought to be Cordata or Nurii. The first patch had no spathes to be seen. But some of the plants displays very nice pink leaves in immersed form.

As we head deeper into the fresh water swamp, we came across the second batch of Cryptoryne. These are quite interesting as they are unknown species at this stage. The specimens collected have spathes and seedling pods. It is possible that this could be a new species that is discovered as we were unable to obtain any description of this Crypt from various sources so far. Needless to say, samples will be sent to Europe for further study.

We also collected Crytocoryne Nurii, Cryptocoryne Cordata and Cryptocoryne Sp 'Yellow Ring' Bkt Ibam before heading home. I will post the photos once they are sorted. Until then, take care and cheers!

Micro Christmas Moss

This afternoon while hiking through some hill streams in Western Sarawak, I came across a patch of very interesting moss growing on some river rocks. They appear like micro Christmas moss and I was so fascinated with their beauty. Just to give an idea of their size, I shot a second photo with my little pocket on it for size comparison.

Cheers!

Cryptocoryne Uenoi 'Pink'

These plants were just collected 2 days ago from a relatively new location in Sarawak and spots pink veins on their leaves. I have started to go back to the jungles after my right knee injury healed about 2 weeks ago. Hope to add more photos as time permits during this very busy month.

Take care and see you again.

Cryptocoryne Keei

Sharing some pictures of the Cryptocoryne Keei today. They are from the district of Bau, Sarawak. The river where they are located is very polluted now. I think in future I will wear Biohazard Suit if I am collecting these Crypts. Haha!

Red spots at the throat of the spathe, when I spliced open the kettle, immediately a tiny fruit fly escaped. Anyway there were 2 other flies that did not survive as shown in the picture below.

So clearly the plants depend on the seasons and insects to help propagation. Want to see some flower in your Cryptocoryne collection. Try inducing fruit flies into your plant habitat. Until my next posting, all the best wishes!

Cryptocoryne X Purpurea var. Borneoensis

Some pictures taken earlier today of the Cryptocoryne x Purpurea var. Borneoensis at a location in South Western Sarawak. We are experiencing the dry season in Sarawak and the stream which is normally carpeted by these Cryptocorynes are dry and filled with dried leaves.

Cryptocoryne sp. Bukit Ibam

One of my favorite Cryptoryne is this one that flowers regularly in emersed form. My buddy Joshua prefers to call it the Golden Ring the coloration of the ring at the throat of the spathe do look golden at times.

Thanks for looking!

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Cheers!

New Stock of Plants

Just to share some new photos of plants recently restocked by us. We have Cryptocoryne Bullosa from Ulu Kerian District. The spathe of this Bullosa in morning sun. The habitat still looks very healthy.

We also collected some Cryptocoryne Uenoi but water level is higher at location. Just me and some plants in the bag. 

The beautiful metallic sheen of purple colors the Cryptocoryne Fusca 'Hybrid' from Batang Ai is a very unique species. The pigmentation color is very intense and captivating to the eye. 

Cryptocoryne Striolata maybe widely distributed in Sarawak but they do appear in many different forms and colors as we encounter them. This particular sample is from Batang Ai River.

Cryptocoryne Striolata from Julau, the leaves are broader and shorter. The coloration is also different.

Until our next posting, Cheers!

Cryptocoryne Ferruginea 'Sekadau'

We just managed to get some new stock of this interesting variant from the Cryptocoryne Ferruginea family. This Ferruginea is slightly evolved from the shorter and broader leaf version more commonly seen. When we first came across it we were not sure if this was the Ferruginea or Ideii as they are quite similar. Even splicing the spathe to examine reveals slight difference but like most discoveries, we must admit that it is all good learning experience. These easy to grow and flower Crypts are have long narrow leaves. We hope to be able to post some more new pictures soon.

Cryptocoryne Ferruginea and Sp "Golden Ring"

Sorry folks, I've been on the road much and will try to keep up with new postings more. Some of you emailed me earlier, please wait and I will respond as soon as possible. Today I want to share a couple of  lovely Cryptocorynes in our collection.

Cryptocoryne Ferruginea 'Bau' displaying pretty purple and silver dust and nice tiger stripes. These emerged form do look spectacular and I hope to add new photographs of their inflorescence one of these days.

This lovely inflorescence is from an unknown Cryptocoryne Sp collected in Johor. It is perhaps one of my rarest Cryptocoryne in collection. A recent flowering gives me a chance to photograph this beauty. Hopefully it will be identified soon by the usual suspects in Europe. :)

Cheers!

Happy Chinese New Year!

It's the time of the year when the Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year! For all celebrating, Borneo Echo Streams wishes you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year! May you and your family experience peace, prosperity and every blessings from God this 2013!

We are closed for the official holidays in Malaysia from 10th-13th January. I will be taking the opportunity during this holiday to hit the jungle trails here in Sarawak!

Be safe everyone and enjoy the holidays!

Wild Betta Macrostoma in natural habitat

Cryptocoryne Auriculata in Sarawak

On this last trip we managed to find a new location of Cryptocoryne Auriculata with Tiger Stripe markings near Julau. Unlike the Pakan version, these have longer narrower leaves in submessed form. The emersed form have shorter leaves but clear tiger stripe marking could be seen too.

I was able to visit the Auriculata at another location and managed to photograph the spathe in full bloom. If you look closely, you can see some fruitflies on top of the spathe, which I belief are the agents of polination in the wild.

Until my next posting, take care and all the best!

Cryptocoryne Uenoi in emersed form

Along our journey on this exploration, we also located a new patch of emersed Cryptocoryne Uenoi in Daerah Serian and they are looking very good indeed. The patch is grown on sand banks with lots of leaf litters around.

Thank you for visiting and reading. I will upload more photos and videos over the next few days.

Cheers!

Cryptocoryne Bullosa 'Bintulu'

We just came home after 6 days of exploring Central and Northern Sarawak for both known as well as new locations for aquatic plants and fishes. This time of the year is usually the dry season and river water level is supposed to be lower then usual. The trip was generally succesfull as we all came home safely despite some harrowing moments driving in the muddy logging trails of North Sarawak.

We found the Cryptocoryne Bullosa in Bintulu to be in a very healthy condition both emersed as well as the submersed form. The water level was lower and we suspected just begun to rise as rain begins this week.

Exploring Sekayam Basin Pt. 1

I was away the last few days on a short exploratory trip in the Sekayam basin as we are setting up a new Forward Quarantine Center. During my trip there I took opportunity to survey the area and the weather was perfect during this trip. The Sekayam River runs from the mountains near the border with Sarawak towards the south east and joins with the mighty Kapuas.

Some quick photos of plants and fishes sampled in this region

It was a very nice trip into this region and I will share more when able. Thanks for following.

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to all of you. Here is Malaysia, just fresh after the 1st week of January the Chinese communities are preparing for the Lunar New Year celebration soon.

I spend the new year away at a beach resort this year with my wife and some close friends. We had a wonderful time together, reflecting upon 2011 and contemplating 2012 with refreshed zeal and excitement.

At Borneo Echo Streams, we aim to introduce fish breeding and cultivation on our village's social enterprise development program. This program have occupied much of my time and energy last year as we seek to convert our infrastructure of collection outposts to breeding capacity. 

Also in the last year we signed an MOU with a Singapore higher learning institution to provide training and exposure to students on their aquaculture program. We hope that this exposure stint with us will raise the appreciation and skills of the next generation going into the industry.

I will update the blog again soon. It is still raining heavily here in most parts due to the monsoon season. Many parts of Kuching was flooded yesterday but today the sun is out in the morning as I write. However it appears that rain will arrive later in the afternoon. 

Take care and God bless!

Cryptocoryne Nurii

This beautiful Cryptocoryne Nurii from Pahang is one of my favourite plant. I love the tiger stripe markings and colors exhibited by this specimen. We also found a variant with extreme pink mutations at this location. More when I get home from my field trips.  Have a great weekend.