Showing 1 - 7 of 7
Passing the smell test
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 17/04/2016
» Ten years ago, Kriepob Limkangwalmongkol wrote to say that Phuket, where he lived, had many Chinese Taoist temples and they burned quite a lot of mai juang, or theptaro wood, to cleanse the atmosphere during their numerous ceremonies, especially during the annual vegetarian festival.
The best way to turn over that new leaf
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 03/01/2016
» I have a young friend who lives in Fresno, California. She teaches science in high school but does volunteer work in her spare time, taking a group of elderly people to a public park to do gardening. “There are plots in the park where the elderly can plant flowers or vegetables,” she said when we talked on the phone recently. “They love it. They find it invigorating. Growing plants has given them a new purpose in life.”
Sweet tips for sour trees
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 15/02/2015
» The recently concluded agricultural fair at Kasetsart University might not be the much-awaited event it used to be for agriculturists and fair-goers from all over the country. However, I go every year anyway as there are always new plants to see. Lek Monchai’s lime hybrid, for example, was not even registered. Making its debut at the fair, he had not even decided what to name it.
Plant the seeds of peace
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 04/01/2015
» A friend commented that time goes by very fast when one is having fun. Despite months of political turbulence and street demonstrations, which are hardly anyone’s definition of fun, 2014 has gone very fast and we have now embarked on another year. We can only hope that this year will bring peace throughout the world and less suffering caused by natural disasters.
Tree of life: Leaves help good health take root
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 07/07/2013
» Andre wrote from Ban Chang in Rayong to say that he wanted to get some dried leaves of Terminalia catappa, or Indian almond tree, for his wife's fish tank and asked where he could get them. I suggested that he find a tree and pick up the leaves that had fallen from it. If Andre cannot find a tree in his immediate neighbourhood, Wang Kaew Beach Resort near Laem Mae Pim in Rayong has several Terminalia catappa, known in Thai as hu kwang, by the seaside. Leaves fall every day, so I'm sure he will be able to obtain what he needs there. All he has to do is to dry them a bit more and they won't be any different from dried hu kwang leaves sold at some shops selling Siamese fighting fish at Chatuchak Weekend Market.
The secrets of citrus
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 28/10/2012
» Having a fruit-bearing lime, lemon or calamondin tree is like having a kitchen herb garden. It is very convenient to just pick a fruit or two if and whenever you need it to prepare a dish or refreshing drink. However, what would you do if you had a five-year-old tree that does not produce fruit?
Family's roots grow strong on farm
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 29/04/2012
» Our farm is small, but it is the only place where my whole family can indulge in our favourite activity, gardening, to our hearts' desire. It is a seven-hour drive from Bangkok or six if we don't stop for petrol and lunch or dinner, but we take every chance we can to go there and the long Songkran weekend was no exception. Once there, I immerse myself in my own world, forgetting everything but the people I hold near and dear to my heart, as I spend most of the day and put all my energy into repotting and propagating bromeliads, and planting shrubs and trees.