Frenzy In The Front Yard.

 

One of the propagation techniques I hit on some years ago was to collect seeds from plants of interest while bushwalking, then sow them simply by dropping them into an appropriate spot in the garden where conditions would likely favour their germination. Very handy when you have too many seed samples & not enough time.

One such sowing back in the '90s resulted in this small tree, Guioa semiglauca, a local species found in dry rainforest & other habitats, including regrowth:-

 

The seed was probably collected at Bulli Grevillea Park where this species is common, & thrown into the dwarf Brunsfelsia  at  its' base. This spot is dry, similar to the collection site; the garbage bins give an indication of size. Guioa is fairly unremarkable; the plants' placement makes a good screen for the houses behind, & was left for this reason & as a seed source for local dispersal.

 

Last week I was watering the front garden & noticed the tree was in flower; not just in flower but covered in tiny cream blooms. Next I noticed the sound; a low hum of insect activity emanated from the tree. The whole plant was a frenzy of bees & hoverflies:-

 

 

Both insects can be seen in this shot, the bee to the left of centre, the hoverfly at top slightly to the right. Bees are well known to most people, but what of the hoverfly?

 

 

These insects are wasp-like predators that fly like helicopters, able to hover on the spot & change direction rapidly. They appear to be nectar feeders as adults, but the larvae feast on aphid colonies. Mature adults can be spotted cruising around the garden, going from plant to plant, seeking out aphid infestations. Once located, a single egg is laid in close proximity to the aphid colony, then the adult flies off to repeat the process, ensuring each larva has its' own food supply & your garden has less pests.

 

So let's thank the Guioa for putting on such a good feed for our little garden predators. Its' worth has certainly increased in my estimation!

 

Russell.  

 

 

 



 





September Update.

 

Nothing in particular to concentrate on so I thought I'd look at a few things covered previously & how they'd progressed:-

 

 

Needle- leaved Mintbush (Prostanthera sp.). The finished product, repotted, pruned & flowering.

 

 

Previous posting in "Potting Mixes & Repotting".

 

 

One of these divisions (above) took out the Guzmania / Vriesea section in Illawarra Bromeliad Society show. The plant is Vriesea ospinae  var. gruberi, grown by Rena Wainwright.

 



 

Hippeastrum aulicum seed pod removed from the parent ready for collection. The flower is pictured in the first posting.

 

 

Paper bags are great for holding seed as it releases from the pod, allowing the pod & stem to dry without promoting rots & mould.

 

Pachypodium saundersii beginning growth for the season, having overcome the previous attack of rot:-

 

 

Now for a few new things at the nursery:-

 

 

Cyathea brownii from Norfolk Island unfurling new fronds after potting. This is a real giant; compare the spacing of the leaf bases to the Dicksonia on the left:-

 

 

Rarely available at this size; priced from $70 to $140. 

 

 

Advanced grafted flowering gums in 300mm pots. These will make great Xmas gifts. Four types to choose from, Dwarf Crimson, Dwarf Orange, Summer Beauty & Summer Red. $120 each.

 

 

Two large pink Frangipanis recently potted.

 

 

Fresh divisions of Striped Lesser Buddhas' Belly Bamboo (Bambusa Ventricosa Kimmii). Note that most foliage has been removed. Some canes have burned with exposure to the sun after removal from the shade provided by the original clump.

 

 

Locally- grown herbs, $3.50 each or 3 for $10.

 

 

Nice Rhubarb plants, $12 each. The Grevilleas are Pink Surprise.

 

 

Cryptanthus bromeliads. Been collecting quite a few of these little gems for future division & sale, particularly the striped forms. They enjoy high humidity & can be grown successfully at ground level.

 

Hope you are enjoying the Spring weather,

Russell. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coarse Sand is Horticultural Gold.

Coarse sand is one of the most useful materials I know of for plant propagation & growing media; these days it is one of the hardest to obtain for horticultural enthusiasts:-

 So, what is it?

This sand (pictured above) is typical of what I'm after. In terms of size the grains range from roughly 2 to 5mm diameter, with the majority falling toward smaller particles.

The illustrated material has been mined from a natural source, river sediment, so in this instance contains some fine sand & silt, along with a fair bit of small pebble. It consists mostly of quartz, silicon dioxide, with a few impurities adding colour to the rock. Suitable sands may be pure white, especially if created by crushing quartz; yellow or greyish colours are also common, depending on the chemical make-up of the parent rock. The most important component is a high quartz content.

Propagating sand, horticultural sand, sharp sand, quartz sand & coarse sand are all interchangeable terms that describe the subject material. When I was a kid this would also be described as aquarium gravel, back in the days before under-gravel filters.

Compare the above photo with the widely-available river sand pictured below:-

 

 

Note the small particle size compared to the coarse sand. When added to potting mix fine sand tends to fill in air pockets that contribute to drainage, increasing water retention and decreasing aeration of the root zone. Water is held on the surface of each sand grain; with so many particles this makes a fair contribution to water-holding capacity. There is also the compaction factor, with sand-rich mixes quickly becoming brick-like in consistency. Once dry, sandy mixes are hard to rehydrate; water often wets the top of the mix then runs down between root ball & pot, with little infiltration where it's needed. This hydrophobic property is common with sandy soils & requires application of a wetting agent to restore adequate soil moisture for plant growth.

Succulent mix is pictured below:-
 

'

This was made up with:

 

                       *60 litres of Martins Garden Mix



*15 litres of coarse river sand

*10 litres of p500 grade perlite

*3 litres of pelletised chicken manure

*1 handful of garden lime

*1 handful of blood & bone

*1double handful of crushed basalt (blue metal dust)

 

The above potting mix can also be used for cacti, but I usually add extra coarse sand &/or perlite to increase drainage based on feel & appearance, just like an experienced cook. My cactus mix is also a bonsai mix due to its' rapid drainage.

 

A general carnivorous plant mix suitable for Sarracenia & Drosera is pictured below:-

 

 

This is made up of:-

*2 parts premium grade spaghnum peat moss

*1 part p500 perlite

*1 part coarse sand

 

The coarse sand must be well washed with all dirt & silt removed as these contain nutrients; carnivores generally grow in poor soils & will not perform if the medium is rich.

 

I have used a similar mix to the one above to strike Camellia cuttings, adding extra perlite.

 

Coarse sand is great for striking many plants on its' own, including orchid canes & bulbs, Cordylines, cane Begonias,

Pelargoniums, shrub cuttings in general & in particular any plant with succulent properties:- 

 

 

The picture above shows Pedilanthus cuttings planted last spring , emptied out of a community pot ready for potting up into single pots.

Here washed coarse sand has been used as a sterile top dressing for a native violet cultivar to help arrest rotting during our humid summer:- 

 

Many of the smaller native violet cultivars come from cooler less-humid climates & are prone to die back during hot sticky weather; a topping of coarse sand reduces soil splash and resultant leaf-spotting. Note the original plant in the pots' centre, now dead, & the healthy new growth remaining.

 

I find this technique is useful with Kangaroo Paw.

 

UPDATE

 

Seedlings For Sale at The Niche.

 

Vegetable & flower seedlings will be in stock during September till mid-October, possibly longer if in demand.

Herbs available, most commonly-used varieties.

AT BARGAIN PRICES!!!!!!!!!!!

Herbs:-  $3.50 or 3 for $10

Punnets:-  $3.75

Single pots (tomatoes, capsicum etc.):-  $3.50 

 

Locally grown outdoors.

 

Spring Blossoms For A Warm Climate.

 

 

Many people try to grow flowering cherries, particularly the weeping standard type, in our warmer climate with limited success; they rarely perform to their utmost in terms of growth & flowering. Think of those lovely pictures showing plants in full bloom, taken in cooler climates; very unlikely unless your plant is in a hollow, or open frosty area that chills during winter.

My two favourite flowering deciduous shrubs that perform well around the Illawarra are Flowering Quince, (Chaenomeles), & Magnolias (Magnolia).

The first four photos are of a Flowering Quince shrub in the main street of Appin that has been blooming for around a month:-

Close-up of the flowers

 

 

The shrub below is on the southern side of the old Bulli Council Chambers:-

 Note that this plant carries more foliage than the Appin specimen, probably a result of the warmer Bulli climate.

 

White- flowered Quince in Wollongong Botanic Garden:-

 

Pink-tinged cultivar 'Apple Blossom' as a pot plant:-

 

There appear to be two forms or species involved in the locally-grown plants; one produces an elongated leathery textured fruit that turns yellowish as it ripens, along with wizening of the skin. The other variety has a more rounded fruit with a smooth skin that turns reddish with ripening. Both can be propagated from seed.

Some individuals set seed fairly easily, probably due to their capacity for self- pollination, while other plants seem more reluctant. Root propagation is one option with a high success rate but the problem of limited material.

 

The deciduous Magnolias are a signpost for winters' departure & the arrival of spring:- 

Magnolia hybrid 'Vulcan'; one of the best, opening crimson then becoming more pink with age:-

 

 

Magnolia liliiflora 'nigra' is usually encountered in plantings that took place during the  1940s' to mid 1960s', from the days when they were propagated by layering of the lower branches; this made them scarce & expensive. 

 Colour is darkest on opening, lightening with age; contrast in flower colour between interior & exterior becomes more pronounced as the flower matures.

 

The above-pictured plant is over 50 years old, typical for the period; it has been heavily pruned at least 4 times during this period & is still growing strongly.

Magnolia X soulangeana was more commonly grown in the 1960s' & 1970s', mostly propagated from cuttings. Recognise these plants from their white flowers shaded with lilac-pink toward the petals' base:- 

 

One of the newer soulangeana-type plants that have become available in more recent years; this one appears to have Magnolia campbellii in its' parentage, & may even be that species:-

 

That's all for now,

Russell,

The Niche Nursery,

Thirroul. 

 

A Stroll Around The Gardens.

 

Last Tuesday I needed to take my bike to the workshop for registration, & was told it would be ready early afternoon so decided to hang around in Wollongong till it was finished. I went to the bus stop & jumped aboard the 'Gong Shuttle. Looking at the passenger demographic it dawned on me that we were probably on the way to the Uni, giving me the idea of a change of plan; why not spend the morning at the adjacent Wollongong Botanic Gardens, have lunch at the Uni & then do the quick walk back to the bike shop. The following photos were the result of my morning stroll:-

 

Dragon Trees (Dracaena draco) dominate the succulent mound, along with Aloes. I've worked out the former make good bonsai subjects:-

Plant on the left was set up last summer, the other two just recently.

Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks' from the Horn of Africa make a bold statement in colour.

 

Massed Aloes in flower; notice the similarity to Red Hot Pokers' blooms. Both come from southern Africa & are bird pollinated.

The taller- growing or Tree Aloes are my favourite:-

 

Aloe barbarae at the nursery. This group make good subjects for pots:-

 

Two nice pot plants, the younger & the older.

Livingstone daisies add a splash of colour:-

 

Gasterias are found in arid regions but generally under other trees or shrubs; not all succulents are at their best in sun. A good candidate for culture in dry shade. 

 

More Euphorbias. This one is known as the Indian Fig as it produces edible fruits:-

 Close- up of the fruit:-

Contrast the shape of this mound-forming species with those covered previously:- 

Some plants in the Euphorbia millii group; variations on a theme:-

 

 

Some pink E. millii from the nursery:-

 

Carissa sp. sold as 'Desert Star' by the nursery trade. Perfumed white flowers with edible fruit. This plant is unusual in that new growth will die from oedema under prolonged wet conditions; most plants will transport excess water into the lower leaves to preserve the growing points, causing leaves to spot & blacken (eg. Yucca).

 

Queensland Bottle Trees (Brachychiton rupestris).

These make excellent features & should be more widely utilised in suburban plantings:-

 

 

Good-sized plants for sale at the nursery, $75 each.

 

Another favourite group, small Agave species.These make great pot plants, especially when kept as single rosettes:-

 

 

Agave weberi (below):-

Agave medio-picta alba at the nursery:-

 

Another favourite, Dasylirion acrotriche from the Americas:-

 

 

Lastly, don't forget the Camellia sale, $15 for 200mm pots. This is C. 'Yuletide', a miniature variety:-

 

C. japonica 'Buttons & Bows', just opening:-

 

 

More photos to follow in future posts.

Gardening. Have fun with it!

Russell.