Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)
Around half of the bromeliads are epiphytes, meaning they attach themselves to the truck or branches of trees and shrubs. Epiphytes are not parasites, as they gather the moisture and nutrients they need from the air and what they catch falling ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Ferns That Survive The Dry
Choosing the right fern varieties is important in a water smart garden but there are other things you can do. Mulching is vital for keeping the soil moist. One of the big reasons the ferns are doing so well is because of the protection they get ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Seed Potatoes
If you don't have a lot of space you can grow spuds in containers. Fast maturing early varieties like Nicola are ideal and when it comes to a container you want at least 30cm wide and 30 cm deep with some really good drainage holes at the bottom. ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Carnations (Dianthus)
In 1908, Anna Jarvis chose dianthus caryophyllus (pink carnation) as the emblem of Mother's Day, a celebration she campaigned to create that became a U.S. public holiday in 1914. Today, it is one of the most widespread public holidays. Carnations ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Pests - Whiteflies
Sap-sucking whiteflies live on the undersides of leaves and make them wilt and turn yellow. The nymphs (young ones) are usually green or white; the adults are white. Disturb them and they will rise in clouds - but ? This entry was posted on ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Fertilising Trees
Make a circle of holes right around the tree and then come in a metre and make another circle. If it is a big tree you can continue making circles, finishing about one metre from the trunk. Then put a good handful of Dynamic Lifter pellets into ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Espalier Plants
Choose a plant that already has two strong bottom side shoots or laterals. Dig a hole directly under the trellis. Place the tree into the hole and position the laterals in the same direction as the wire. Back fill and water in. Now tie the ? This ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Frangipani (Plumeria)
I keep my blood red frangipani inside during the winter as we have the odd thick frost. My huge white one lives with lots of palms and gardenias in a sheltered but warm (in the summer) site. To me it would not be summer without the fragrance of ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Asparagus
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a hardy perennial vegetable, best suited to cooler climates. It tolerates frost well. The succulent shoots emerge in early spring from the underground crown. Packed with vitamins and minerals, high in fibre, ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Gardenia
My two potted gardenias have not flowered since a year after trying to look after them. At one stage I sprayed them with Epsom salts solution which seemed to prevent them from being eaten by something. The instructions have been lost, so I can't ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Colus Hirudinosus (Rare Fungus)
the most unusual fungi we have seen was a flouresent ball shaped fungi which really glowed in the dark it was awesome to see. we live on the north coast of NSW. it was attached to some wooden stepping blocks in a very shaded moist area of the ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
Easter Lilies (Lilium Longiflorum)
Easter Lilies are a fragrant lily, with white trumpet-like flowers that blooms around Easter in the Northern Hemisphere (spring). Their popularity makes them the fourth-largest potted floral crop. They were originally native to Southern Japan and ... [... more]
Gardening Talk |
