Taiwan (Golden) Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)

"The falling leaves.... " oh, not leaves, but flowers! Want to know where they came from?

 

This is the Taiwan golden rain tree, a specie native to eastern Asia, Korea and China.
It's flowers are yellow, and sometimes they are dubbed, "September gold", with yellow flowers blooming in late summer.

 

Then its fruits turn from green, to orange, to pink when ripened. 

 

They come in both colors as they fall from the ground.

 

They all around Toucheng Leisure Farm now, see it for yourself and enjoy this rare opportunity,
only here!

Welcome !

Republic Polythecnic School of Hospitality (Singapore)

Teachers and students from Singapore visited Toucheng Leisure Farm last Sept.26.
Wednesday for a 2 days and 1 night stay.
Look at the 60 students and 4 teachers of The Republic Polytechnic School of Hospitality,
as they posed gracefully near the Farm's fish pond!
 

 

Here they are feeding the goats happily!

 

 

 

The 3 photos above were taken during the leaf printing activity. With  a leaf and our magical dyes, a T-shirt or a
green bag can become a work of art, that even Picasso would admire!

 

This is the Farm's lover's bridge, come and walk on it with care and pleasure holding a loved one hand!



And here they are again: Young and energetic Teachers and Students from Singapore at
Toucheng Leisure Farm!

Pomelo (citrus maxima)

Hi! Such a familiar face known to many Angry bird on a pomelo fruit?

Pomelos are fruits native to Southeast Asia.

Here at Toucheng Leisure Farm they grow and bear fruit abundantly.

At the Farm's orchard, pomelos are growing and bearing fruits ready for the Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on September
30 this year (15th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar).

Pomelos are a must-be-eaten fruit during the Mid-Autumn Festival with the moon cake.

It is a belief that the moon is at its biggest size on this day!

 

HAPPY MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL TO EVERYONE!

Bananas (Musa)

Bananas are plants which produces one of the tropical ares favorite fruits and come in 3 different colors of yellow (most common), purple and red when ripe.

At Toucheng Leisure Farm, a banana plant is a common sight. You are lucky to find one standing tall with its "heart"
and "fingers" falling from its stem.

Some kinds of bananas can be cooked, called plantains which are firmer and starchier than the sweet, delicious and potassium-rich fruit we commonly eat fresh.
It is one of the oldest cultivated plants in our planet.

Ripe, sweet-selling bananas are shared with all guests to eat freshly taken from its "tree"!

Come and get your share!

Mimosa pudica

Have you ever seen a Mimosa plant or ever watched its leaves fold when touched?

Here at Toucheng Leisure Farm, we enjoy playing with it!

 

 

Mimosa is a Latin word which means shy. It is also known as the sensitive plant or "touch-me-not"!

 

 

But do you know that this rapid plant movement is their defense from predators? Its leaves close under a stimuli. and they "sleep" when:  touched, warmed, blown or shaken!
They reopen after a few minutes, how long? Come and experience it for yourself!

Interesting isn't it? There are still many more interesting things waiting for you to explore!

NIE Teachers of Singapore (II)

The second batch of Teachers from NIE Singapore visited Toucheng Leisure Farm last week.

Take a look at this photo taken in front of the Mud Hut!

At the kilning area where they watched how a kiln (a traditional oven) is build.

Dinner is Barbecue time at Toucheng Leisure Farm every night. Each one cooks her/his favorite dish according to one's' taste!
We provide the meat, fish and other ingredients, But is'nt it more delicious to eat what you yourself cooked and share it with your friends?

Here they are making the sky lantern,

writing their wishes,

And watched it as it fly up in the dark sky!

The kilned sweet potatoes were very delicious, don't you think so?

These educators from Singapore can tell you more about their short stay at the Farm.

Every one is welcome to Toucheng Leisure Farm!

Vernicia fordii (China oil tree)

Nut oil tree (Vernicia fordii) belongs to the Tung tree species.

Tung trees are especially priced for its tung oil taken from its seeds. During the ancient times, they were used for lamps in China. Nowadays, it is the important ingredient for producing paints and varnishes.

Look at this photo, taken here at Toucheng Leisure Farm. You will see the numerous green seeds hanging on the tree until they turn brown and just fall to the ground.

All parts of the Tung trees are poisonous, fruits and seeds included. So, after a curious touch of its seed, make sure to wash your hands. Their leaves can give you a rash, just like a poison ivy's "touch"!.

Interesting, isn't it? Our nature is so interesting and amazing, you have to take time to watch, know and learn from them!

Here, at Toucheng Leisure Farm, we will tour you around and share with you the knowledge we gathered all these years of experience and study.

Bidens pilosa (Spanish needles)

This humble white six-petaled flower with yellow centerpiece, is a common sight at Toucheng Leisure Farm. This interesting and fascinating flower to watch, blooms abundantly especially during summer. as they are numerous around the corner of any mountain or hill.

 

 

They are sometimes called Spanish needles or stick-tights, because they stick to your pants as you pass along their bushes.

 

 

But do you know that in many parts of the world, tropical or subtropical they are used as medicine?
Like in the Amazon region, they are effective for treating malaria. Its plant is rich in flavonoids which contain anti-malarial activity.The flower could also serve as treatment of diarrhea or upset stomach because of food poisoning.

 

 

 

But beware, never pick up those flowers or plant and consume them raw! They have to be extracted first, to be an effective remedy to any ailment.

They can also collected as a material for your flower arrangement.


Come to Toucheng Leisure Farm and enjoy with us these lovely gift of nature at its best!

NIE (National Institute of Education) Teachers of Singapore (I)

Nine Teachers of National Institute of Education from Singapore stayed at Toucheng Leisure Farm this weekend. They were housed at the Chao Re Building (background).

They also visited the Mud hut. This is the replica of our (Farmers) forefathers abode about 50 to 80 years ago.

 

The inside of the hut.

Toucheng Leisure Farm has a Winery inside its area, and a visit to the Cangjiu Winery is incomplete without the wine or vinegar tasting activity. The products are home-made.

These are the photos taken at the second floor of the Winery which is a restaurant.

Western style or seafood are served in this restaurant and you could just imagine your feelings while watching the exquisite beauty of the mountain,  enjoying your steak or sipping you favoured red grape wine!

What are they watching here? the water buffaloes!

 

 

The Candle nut tree!

 

Come to Toucheng Leisure Farm to enjoy what they have seen.

 

Welcome!